WO2017036994A1

WO2017036994A1 - Plastic toy brick having electrical contacts for electronically determining the position of said toy brick in the installed state and method for producing said toy brick

Info

Publication number: WO2017036994A1
Application number: PCT/EP2016/070262
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stephan Müller; Urs FÄSSLER; Erik ALEXANDERSSON; Lucas CARPENTER
Original assignee: Stephan Müller
Priority date: 2015-08-31
Filing date: 2016-08-26
Publication date: 2017-03-09

Abstract

The invention relates to a plastic toy brick comprising electrical contacts, by means of which the position of the toy brick in the installed state can be electronically determined. The toy brick consists of a main body (1) having cut-outs (15) in the interior of the main body, which cut-outs pass through downward. In each cut-out, a plurality of discrete elastically resilient conductor wires (14), combined into packages (16), is inserted, said conductor wires being clamped between plastic strips (17, 18). Consequently, elastically resilient conductor wires (14) protrude downward into the cut-out (15) without protruding beyond the bottom of the toy brick. Contact points (24) protrude from the plastic strips (17, 18) at the top. The toy brick also has a studded plate, which is not shown here and which is provided with a film, which covers the top of the studded plate and is folded over the edge of the studded plate. From the studded plate, a plurality of electrical lines is led from each stud to the bottom side of the studded plate, to discrete contact points. The studded plate can be covered by a cover plate except for the stud surfaces, and subsequently the studded plate can be placed on the main body (1) of the toy brick with said studded plate lying on top of the main body of the toy brick. The lower contact points on the film then come into electrical contact with the upper stubs and therefore contact points (24) of the conductor wires (14).

Description

Plastic toy building block with electrical contacts for the electronic determination of its position in the installed state and method for its production

This invention relates to a plastic toy building block, which is equipped with electrical contacts on its top and bottom, so that it is both mechanically and electrically connected at the top and bottom with a same or similar toy building block. This makes it possible to determine the position of a building block when installed on a construction of such building blocks, and many other applications can be derived from this orientation. In addition, the invention relates to a method for the rational industrial production of such a toy building block.

From WO 2009/100051 a block with input and output contacts is known, so that a single block with adjacent blocks of the same type is electrically connected and allows interaction. A central host device as a host can manage the electrical signals, allowing for a video game with physical interaction through the individual building blocks and their construction. This document shows a variety of possibilities of interactions that can be realized with building blocks, if they allow such contacts with each other and can communicate electrically with the host device and its printed circuit board with their logical links.

Due to the disclosure of WO 2009/100051 it is unnecessary Here to respond to all these variants and possibilities, which opens such a block. In any case, among other things, they are highly suitable for efficiently establishing and promoting the three-dimensional imagination of children and adolescents and therefore have a high educational effect on those who deal with them and create spatial structures.

Basic requirement for such a system as shown in WO 2009/100051 but is the plastic toy building block. This has to convince in several ways, in order to establish such a system in the market at all, and it lacked so far. For this, the plastic components must clamp sufficiently when stacked, and indeed permanently, even after years. This alone is a very big challenge and the market leader LEGO has acquired a high level of expertise in this area. Very small tolerances in the production prove to be of high importance, in addition to the choice of suitable plastic material. The same applies to the newly introduced electrical contact options. They have to work absolutely reliably, and also do so permanently, including after dozens of times connecting to and separating from other building blocks, and also bearing in mind the aging of the stones. Even after several years, no electrical loose contacts may occur after mating, otherwise the building blocks for the system will be worthless. Producing such a component from plastic therefore represents an extraordinarily demanding technical task in many respects. The first challenge is to ensure the sufficient and permanently obtainable mechanical clamping force when assembling the components. The second challenge is to find a technical solution that ensures that the assembly of components and the electrical contacts between them function properly, and also permanently, even with multiple assembly and disconnection of the components and thus the contacts. A third challenge is to realize such contact connections with a minimum of parts. A fourth challenge is to design the components of the device in such a way that the assembly is rational and preferably purely mechanical can, so that the manufacturing cost can be reduced to a manageable degree. And finally, as the fifth challenge may apply that the electrical contacts should be so robust and protected that a throwing down, falling, stepping on or any other mechanical stress on the building blocks the electrical contact elements can handle anything, so no curvatures, breaks or other damage to contact wires can cause.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a plastic toy building block with electrical contacts for electronic determination of its location in the installed state, which ensures a secure and permanent jamming during assembly with another same or similar building block, further a permanently safe electrical Connection of the contacts allows, and this also after a multiple separation and reassembly of the blocks, and which consists of a minimum of components, these components should be rational and as possible mechanically mounted, for a cost-effective production of plastic toy blocks in large series.

In addition, it is an object of the invention to provide a rational and industrially feasible method for the production of such a game block, which allows the serial and automated production.

This object is achieved by a plastic toy building block with studs on its top, the underside of which is attachable to the top and there on the knobs of a similar plastic play module with the development of a clamping force, which is characterized in that resilient conductor wires of the underside of the plastic toy building block are guided by its interior via a contact interface on its top, so that each three conductor wires are guided on at least one flank of each knob, for electronic determination of its location in the installed state with another similar plastic toy building block, and wherein the plastic toy building block consists of a base body with recesses passing through from top to bottom, and inserts for insertion and holding over the height of the Plastic game blocks of several, the juxtaposition of two similar plastic toy building blocks with each other in electrical connection lead wires, so depending on the created electrical connections between two superposed plastic toy bricks, that is between the lower ends of the conductor wires of the upper plastic toy block and the upper ends of the electrical lines on the knobs of the lower plastic toy building block, the relative position of the two game modules to each other is electronically determined.

Further, the object is achieved by a method for the industrial production of a plastic toy building block with electrical contacts for the electronic determination of its position in the installed state by either the steps according to claim 16, 17 or 18 are performed.

In the figures, this game module is shown in three variants and different views and based on these representations, it will be described below and its structure, its manufacture and composition and its function will be explained.

It shows:

Figure 1: The individual internal components for the electrical functionality of a first variant of the game module, and indicated by arrows, in which direction they are assembled;

Figure 2: The strips with the clamped conductor in an end view;

Figure 3: The lid carrier of the toy building block with electrical circuit board and arrows indicated, in which direction these parts are assembled;

Figure 4: The lid carrier of the game module with mounted thereon electric

Circuit board, and indicated by an arrow as he points to the main body the game module is put on;

The game module with the lid part and arrow indicated as the lid part is placed on the lid carrier;

Figure 6: The finished assembled game block;

FIG. 7 shows the finished toy building block in a perspective view from below;

Figure 8: Two juxtaposed, assembled by clamping force

Toy building blocks;

Figure 9: The two successive built game blocks of Figure 8 in one

Partial section;

FIG. 10 shows a cross section through the two built-on toy building blocks from FIG. 8 on an enlarged scale;

Figure 1 1: a second variant of the plastic toy block in a perspective view from above;

Figure 12: the plastic toy building block of Figure 1 1 in a perspective

Bottom view;

FIG. 13 shows the plastic toy building block according to FIG. 11 or 12 in an exploded perspective view from above, with all its components;

FIG. 14 shows the plastic toy building block according to FIG. 11 or 12 in a perspective exploded view, seen from below, with all its components; Figure 15: Two juxtaposed alternative plastic toy building blocks of a third embodiment variants, each with four knobs on its upper side;

Figure 16: the plastic toy building blocks of Figure 15 in a separate state, with

View from diagonally below;

Figure 17: the plastic toy building blocks according to Figures 15 and 16 in a horizontal position seen obliquely from above, in an exploded view with all its components inside;

Figure 18: the plastic toy building blocks according to Figures 15 and 16 in a horizontal position seen obliquely from below, in an exploded view with all its components inside.

The plastic toy block is provided with electrical contacts for electronic determination of its location in the installed state. For this purpose, in a first embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 14, initially as shown in FIG. 1 below, it consists of a cubic basic body 1 with a quadrangular plan and all-round side wall 2 and inside this main body 1 a structure with recesses 15. At this point it should be mentioned in that this body does not necessarily have to be cubic. It can also be a circular or cylindrically shaped base body used in the same way, or a basic body with an L, U, F or E-shaped plan, or even further embodiments, which allow the structure described here in principle , As can be seen with reference to Figure 4, the peripheral edge 3 is projecting at the top a piece-wide upwards, and thereby a relative to this upper edge 3 downwardly stepped bottom 4 is formed. On this floor 4 is a knobbed plate 5 with knobs 6 suitable for use. In the example shown are cubic pimples. It is clear that in the same way also circular or differently shaped knobs can be realized. You just need to allow jamming with the bottom of a belonging to the kit body. What is going on with this nubbed plate 5 will become clear from the description of FIG. 3 later. Of course, the Forming of the base body and associated cover plate also be reversed realized, in which case the cover plate has a downwardly projecting collar and sits on the body in which the upper edge outside forms an inwardly stepped step, or the cover plate has a downwardly projecting collar on, which is slightly offset inwards, so that it forms a circumferential step, which is placed on the body. Furthermore, the two components could also be positioned on each other by means of screw mandrels. Whatever the details, a cover plate is placed on top of the body fit and immovable and securely held on it by means of clamping means or click connections. As an alternative to clamping or clicking together, the components can be permanently connected to each other by screwing together, welding or gluing.

[001 1] First, the inner parts of the toy building block will be described as shown in FIG. At the top left you can see an electrical mounting conductor 20, from which branch off four sets of three 16 of resilient conductor wires down, which are curved at the bottom in a horizontal V-shape, with the end of the free leg of the Vs curved upward. Thus, a curved resilient contact point 21 is formed on each conductor wire 14 below each. On both sides of the electrical assembly conductor 20 can be seen ever a plastic strip 17,18. The plastic bar 17, shown closer to the viewer on the left, has three holes 22. To these holes 22 diametrically split retaining bolts 23 fit on the second plastic strip 18. These two plastic strips 17,18 can be clicked together with inclusion and pinching the electrical conductor 20, wherein the retaining pin 23 dig into the holes 22 or click , Afterwards, the mounting conductor 20 is cut away and the remaining small and protruding stubs of the clamped conductor wires 14 are bent over. They thus form three different contact points 24 for each package of conductor wires 14. For each toy component, there are two such assembly conductors 20 with the two plastic strips 17, 18 clamping them in place. A little further to the right in the picture you can see the second unit. The two plastic strips 17,18 are here just visible from the other side. The two completed in this way holders for the four conductor wire packages 16, after breaking away or cutting away the mounting conductor 20, depending trapped between their two adjacent plastic strips 17,18 are then shown in the picture below.

From this position, they are used in the Spielbausein, the structure of which, as already mentioned, two recesses 15, in which fit these units with their conductor wire packages 16 of three conductor wires 14. Afterwards, the game module presents itself as shown in Figure 4 below.

Figure 2 shows the clamped by the two plastic strips 17,18 conductor wires 14 seen in a view of the front side of the plastic strips. The conductor wires 14 of the triple package 16 project down from the plastic strips 17,18 and are bent to a horizontal V with each upwardly curved end 21. So they form the bottom of an elastically resilient contact surface. Also above the protruding stubs of the conductor wires 14 are bent and form there the contact points 24th

In Figure 3, the electrical equipment of the studded plate 5 is shown. On this nubbed plate 5 is an electrical, for example, by punching or laser blank produced contact foil 7 can be placed, which is shown in the figure 3 above. The tops of the nubs 6 are covered by this contact sheet 7 when laying congruent and their electrical connections from the top of the knobs 6 along the side surfaces of the knobs down on the top 8 of the knob plate 5 out running. Thereafter, they extend over this upper side 8 to the outside to a narrow edge 9 of this top 8, and then beyond this edge 9 out into a film 10 with integrated individual contact points 1 1 for each electrical line, which are introduced from the various nubs 6. As shown in FIG. 3, this film 10 is pivoted about the curved arrow, that is to say downwards around the edge 9 of the studded plate 5, so that it subsequently comes to rest on the underside of the studded plate 5.

In the figure 4 can be seen so with the contact sheet 7 and its film 10th on the knobs 6 can be seen the contact sheet 7. The running there electrical leads 19 lead from each knob 6 first along its side wall down on the knob plate 8 and afterwards on the contact sheet 7 to the narrow edge 9 of the knobs Plate 8 where this film 7 is transferred with their electrical leads 19 in the now folded foil 10, and their individual contact points 1 1 are now directed downward, and thus not visible here. In this state, the studded plate 5 is placed as shown with the arrow on the bottom 4 of the toy building block.

Now the state is reached as shown in Figure 5 below. This cover plate 12 can be placed on the studs Patte 5, as indicated by the arrow, so that in the mounted state, the eight frames 13 each have a knob 6 laterally fed and the cover plate 12 at the peripheral edge 3 of the plastic toy building block, that is on an inner bead on the same, is einklickbar. The recesses in the cubic body 1 are still accessible from below. FIG. 6 shows the ready-assembled plastic toy building block.

In Figure 7, this game module is placed upside down on the top, so you see so on the bottom. It can therefore be seen the recesses 15, in which the contact wires protrude in the toy building block from top to bottom in him. Accordingly, one can see here the lower ends of the contact wires or the conductor wires 14, namely the contact points 24. In addition, one recognizes the plastic clamping tubes 23, which are arranged in a conventional manner to a good and permanent press fit of the play module to the knobs 6 of that game module ensure the same design on which it is plugged. In Figure 8, two such game blocks are assembled stacked. These hold due to the clamping force generated due to the geometry of the knobs 6 and the clamping tubes 23 together. On the upper side of the toy building block, one recognizes the contact foil 7 on the upper side of the knobs 6, which communicate with the contact points 11 of the folded-over foil 10, wherein three bulges, which are resilient by bending, are provided for each nub 6 in the example shown Contact wires or conductor wires 14 are held as a triple package 16 on both sides of the clamped by terminal strips 17,18. The terminal strips 17,18 are in this example shown in the recesses 15 einklickbar so that the upper ends of the conductor wires 14 each form a contact point 24, and each contacted a different pad 1 1 on the folded sheet 10. It is clear that according to the same principle, fewer or more conductor wires can be installed in this way between each two terminal strips. In addition, the terminal strips can be permanently clamped in the recesses instead of a click only with a slight pressure.

In Figure 9, the two stacked toy building blocks of Figure 8 are shown in a partial section, which releases the view into the interior. As can be seen lead the contact points 1 1 on the contact foil 7 of each nubs 6 via the electrical leads 19 on the film 10 to very individual, protruding into the recesses 15 conductor wires 14 and are electrically contacted by the lower ends 24. By building on each other two such game building blocks, the conductor wires 14 of the upper game module are brought into electrical contact with the contact points of the contact foil 7 on the knobs 6 of the lower toy building block. Each nub 6 has nine contact points on top - arranged in three rows and three columns on their contact sheet 7 on. The central contact point serves as a data conductor, while the four different central contact points on the edge serve as a ground, and the four different contact points in the corners of the knob 6 as a current conductor. This makes it possible, on the basis of the respectively current-carrying connections, to detect whether two game components are connected to one another, and if so in which configuration, there being a multiplicity of possibilities. Thus, two game blocks can be built congruent to each other, or only partially overlapping, and they can also be built to each other running at a right angle to each other, and this at the edge, in the middle or at the other edge, etc., that is offset in line. The electrical signals can be centrally recorded and evaluated by a data processing system, for example a terminal in the form of a pager, phone, or PC, so that a virtual toy building block image can be generated on the screen of a computer represents the construction assembled in reality.

This technology is currently already developed and known. Alone, the challenge was to design a simple, fool-proof concept for such a game module, so that it meets the necessary requirements in terms of clamping force, and also the electrical connections remain permanently functional. This is ensured here by the resilient conductor wires 14. As long as they are charged under their elastic springs, these springs do not tire and the functionality for creating electrical connections with contact points on the knobs 6 is maintained.

The current conductor from above, from a conductor 19 or contact point on the knobs 6 down to the contact point 21 of a conductor wire 14 of a lower toy building block is apparent from Figure 10, which shows a cross section through two successive building blocks as shown in Figure 9 in represents an enlarged scale. Of importance for the proper electrical function, that is, for the electrical connection of the toy bricks, proves to be a low resistance of the compounds. This enables large assemblies. Thanks to this electrical wiring, these game modules offer the possibility for visual, audible, tactile feedback, for example for the construction of prototypes with LEDs, loudspeaker functions on the terminal etc. The LEDs can be part of the block. Two positions can be used on the printed circuit board, including series resistors. A microcontroller can also be integrated on the conductor foil. The central point of contact can serve as a data conductor - data that is essential for processing to create a particular entity. For this purpose, the conceptual logic of interconnection and communication as described in WO 2009/100051 comes into play and will not be further elaborated here. These game modules can be operated without a battery, because the power supply comes from a base plate or from the basic block and is distributed to the individual connected or built game modules. The solution presented here offers 3 x 3 contacts per pimple, ie (9 plus and 9 minus contacts per peg.) Normally, a game block with 2 rows of 4 pegs would require a total of 2 x 4 x 3 x 3 = 72 connectors, while the presented here only requires 24 spring contacts, for the same function, namely with 2 x 4 conductor wire packages to 3 conductor wires 14, ie 2 x 4 x 3 = 24 spring contacts. Moreover, it is not clear from the outside how the contacting is organized in the interior. This solution is cost effective and effective. Contact with cluster-produced stamped and bent parts also helps to reduce costs. A complete set of contacts is bent uniformly. The different positioning takes place after insertion into a contact carrier. If the contacts are embedded and positioned, the connecting punching strip is cut off and the contacts are thereby separated. The handling of a large number of individual contact springs would be comparatively more complex. And instead of two zusammenklickbaren terminal strips for mass production, the conductor wire packages of 4 x 3 contact wires are also encapsulated on both sides with plastic, after which then the connecting conductor strip is punched away or cut away. The conductor wires are then cast in a single plastic part and can be mounted in the recesses. In a very best execution, the individual toy bricks can be powered by means of RF induction and could transmit their position via an accelerometer wirelessly via Near Field Communication to a base station.

In the following, a second embodiment of the game module is presented and described with reference to the figures 1 1 to 14. This alternative is easier to produce industrially in large series at low cost, with the help of robots that can get the assembly of the individual parts. First, Figure 1 1 shows this alternative embodiment of the plastic toy building block in a perspective view from above. The contacts on the individual knobs 46 of the studded plate 39 are here on the side walls of these studs 46. Each sidewall includes three contact surfaces of there existing conductor wires 25, which are inserted into grooves 44 in the side walls of the studs 46.

Figure 12 shows this game module in a perspective view seen from below. The game module is essentially hollow on its underside, except for a central web 42, which extends along the longitudinal center of the toy building block. This web 42 includes here three hollow cylinder 48 whose outer sides slightly project beyond the side walls of the web 42. To reinforce a crossbar 50 is installed. With the lateral webs 51 a clamping fit for the knobs 46 is created on the top of a same game module.

The figure 13 shows the plastic toy building block according to the figures 1 1 or 12 shown in a perspective exploded view from above, with the bottom of the base body 45 with its lowered top 43. This has three holes 34, wherein the outer two for receiving screws 31, for assembly with the other parts dienne. The holes 34 are provided along their circumference with annular segment-shaped edges 52. These edges 52 serve as a support for the circuit board 29 to be used, which is shown above. The top 43 of the main body 45 further shows a recess 40, in which a microchip 32 can be used, which is intended for the interconnection of the various lines and their intelligent networking. Along the longitudinal center of the top 43 insertion holes 33 can be seen, in which lower conductor wires 26 are inserted, which are shown in the figure above the main body 45. These conductor wires 26 protrude freely after insertion to its upper angled end 27 into the lower cavity of the base body 45, below the plate which forms the upper side 43. At the lower end, the conductor wires 26 are formed in curved ends 28, which are elastic and resilient and with their outward to the longitudinal sides of the body

45 facing side surfaces act as contact surfaces, which nestle as a result of the elastic resilient property when attaching the game module on top of a same game module to the lateral contact surfaces 25 on the knobs 46 on the top of this game module. Along the upwardly projecting edge of the main body 45 cams 35 are formed on the top of the plate, which forms the top 43 of the body 45. On this cam 35 comes when assembling the game module, the circuit board 29 to lie. Of the upper conductor wires 25, there are 8 units each of 12 individual conductor wires 25. These conductor wires 25 can along the side surfaces of the knobs

46 at the top of the knob plate 39 shown from below through holes 38 (FIG 14) in the nubbed plate 39 and thus inserted through this nubbed plate 39 into the grooves 44, which are embedded in the side surfaces of the nubs 46. At the upper end 24, these conductor wires 25 are angled, so each form a unwound end 24. These angled ends 24 can engage in transverse slots in the grooves 44, after which the conductor wires 25 are held in the grooves 44. The outwardly directed sides of the conductor wires 25 form along the knob side surfaces each have a contact surface which make 26 with the outwardly projecting lower ends 28 of the lower conductor wires 26 make electrical contact when a similar game module is attached to the underlying. Depending on the positioning of the upper play module on the lower other electrical connections are created. The printed circuit board 29 with its two holes 30 has a plurality of, for example vapor-deposited electrical conductor tracks 37 which extend along their top and bottom and are guided around their edges, so that an electric current along an upper line 37 around the outer edge of the Circuit board 29 around and then along a lower line 37 can be performed. The lower ends 47 of the upper conductor wires 25 in the side walls of the studs 46 touch the upper side of the printed circuit board 29 and close contacts with the conductor tracks 37 running thereon, and the upper ends 27 of the lower conductor wires 26 Close contacts equally with the lower tracks on the bottom of the PCB 29th

Figure 14 shows the same plastic toy building block according to the figures 1 1 or 12, but now shown in a perspective exploded view seen from below, with all its components. As can be seen from below into the base body 45, the three holes 34 in the longitudinal center web 42 run out at the bottom. The laterally the longitudinal center web 42 superior hollow cylinders 48 to the holes 34 act as clamping surfaces, when the main body 45 is fitted from above on the knob plate 39 of a same game module. Laterally on the web 42 can be seen the grooves 49, in which from above the lower conductor wires 26 can be inserted, after which their lower curved ends 28 free in the space below the web 42 protrude. In the example shown, there are four sets of three of grooves 49. For a stone with just four nubs, there would accordingly be only two sets of three of grooves 49. These curved ends 28 can make contact with the conductor wires 25 in the side surfaces of the nubs 46 on the nub plate 39 of one Close game blocks on which this game block is placed as an upper game block. Above the main body 45 can be seen the lower conductor wires 26 with their curved ends 28, which can be inserted through corresponding holes 33 (Figure 13) in the top 43 of the body 45 and then along the grooves 49 in the same. On these inserted lower conductor wires 26 and their upper ends 27, the printed circuit board 29 is placed from above. In this case, the conductor paths 37 at the bottom of the line plate 29 also close contacts with the upwardly projecting Kontaktfüsschen 53 of the microchip 32 in the top of the body 45, for the intelligent interconnection of all conductors. The upper conductor wires 25 are pushed through the holes 38 in the studded plate 39 from below through the same into the grooves 44 in the side surfaces of the studs 46 until they snap into the same, as already described. Then only the lower curved ends 47 of these conductor wires 25 protrude out of the stud plate 39. These lower ends 47 close contacts with the conductor tracks 37 on the upper side of the printed circuit board 29, which, however, is not visible from below. The nubbed plate 39 has on its underside also spacers 54, with which it rests after assembly on the circuit board 29 to ensure a clearance for the lower resilient ends 47 of the upper conductor wires 25. All parts are assembled by now the circuit board 29 is placed on the top 43 of the body 45, and then the nubbed plate 39 is placed on the top of the circuit board 29. Then, the base body 45 is screwed to the studded plate 39, for which purpose two screws 31 are inserted from below into the outer holes 34 in the web 42. These screws 31 can then be screwed with their threads in the threaded bushes 36, which are integrally formed on the underside of the studded plate 39, including the printed circuit board 29, which then between the lower ends 47 of the upper conductor wires 25 and the upper ends 27 of the lower Conductor wires 26 is located. Figures 15 to 18 show a third embodiment of such plastic toy bricks. Here in Figure 15, two such plastic toy bricks are shown juxtaposed and they each have four knobs 69 on its upper side. In each flank of the studs 69 three conductor wires 60 are guided, which can come into contact with the downwardly projecting inner and lower conductor wires of a patched on the same plastic play module. Of course, also basic body 64 can be built or sprayed with six, eight or more nubs. FIG. 16 shows these plastic toy building blocks according to FIG. 15 in a separate state with a view obliquely from below. In this illustration, one recognizes the downwardly projecting lower conductor wires 61, which are held in special inserts 63, which can be inserted from below into the base body 64 of the plastic toy block and clicked into it.

Figure 17 shows these two plastic toy building blocks according to Figures 15 and 16 in a horizontal position obliquely from above seen in an exploded view with all its components inside. Starting from the bottom left in the picture, one first recognizes the main body 64 of the upper plastic toy building block with its four nubs 69 on its upper side. Right of or below the main body 64, the upper conductor wires 60 are located. There are four sets of three conductor wires 60, so that each three conductor wires 60 come to lie on each edge of a knob 69 in corresponding grooves in these nub flanks and are securely held therein by resiliently with their upper hooks 65 in depressions in these Hook in grooves. In the assembled state, the lower ends of the upper conductor wires rest on top of this contact plate 62. The black lines on the contact plate 62 show the different interconnections of the contact points. In the picture to the right of the contact plate 62 or in the case of a composite toy block below the same, two insert parts 63 connect. These serve to receive and support the lower conductor wires 61, which are installed in one of these two built-in components 63 shown here and slightly protrude from the top, while the adjacent fitting 63 is not yet with his Conductor wires is populated. In the direction to the right of the drawing follows the next lower plastic toy block with its base body 64. To the right of the same can be seen the nine upper conductor wires 60 for a nub 69, and to the right thereof and the contact plate 62 with their wiring or interconnections , Further to the right in the drawing or below the contact plate 62, two packets of three lower conductor wires 61 are shown. These are inserted as indicated by the arrow from below or in the drawing from the right into corresponding grooves in the insert part 63, which is shown in the drawing right of the conductor wires 61 and below the same. Afterwards, they protrude with their upper angled Kontaktfüsschen top of the insert, and in the assembled state of the plastic game module they then press from below on the contact plate 62 and contact the existing electrical contacts of the interconnection. The lower ends 66 of the lower conductor wires 61 are angled obliquely by about 135 ° and their outermost end portions 67 are angled again by about 90 ° in the same direction. Thus, with their outer edge thus formed, they form a resilient, yielding contact surface which slides over the outer side of the upper conductor wires 60 when this plastic toy component is placed on an identical plastic toy building block. Accordingly, contacts are closed, which allow conclusions to be drawn about the relative position of the two plastic toy components placed on one another.

Figure 18 shows these two plastic toy bricks according to Figures 15, 16 and 17 in a lying position, this time seen from obliquely below in an exploded view with all its components inside. Starting from the left in the picture can be seen two inserts 63 with their grooves 68 for insertion of the lower conductor wires 61 from below into these grooves 68. The lower ends 66 of these lower conductor wires 61 are each bent at about 135 °, so that they with the rest of the conductor wire enclose an angle of approx. 45 °. The outer ends 67 are angled again about 90 ° and the outer edge thus formed then acts as a resilient yielding contact surface. Further to the right you can see the contact plate 62 with their wiring or interconnections. Further to the right is a packet of three times three upper conductor wires 60, with each below and above While the lower angled ends act as Kontaktfüsschen which rest on the contact plate 62, the upper developments for locking the conductor wires 60 act in the grooves of the flanks of the studs 69 on the top of the plastic toy building block. Still further to the right follows the main body 64 of the plastic toy building block. All these parts are shown on the right again for the plastic play module to be used on top. At one of the inserts 63 can be seen the top protruding from it lower conductor wires 61 with their unwound by 90 ° ends as Kontaktfüsschen to rest on the next coming contact plate 62. Above the contact plate 62 can be seen again new upper conductor wires 60, although it is a total There are four packets of nine such upper conductor wires 60, and finally rightmost the main body 64 of the upper plastic toy building block. The insert members 63 and the contact plate 62 are designed so that they can be inserted from below into the base body 64 of a plastic toy block 64 and latched therein, while the lower conductor wires 61 are inserted into the grooves 68 on the inserts 63, and the upper Hook the conductor wires 60 into the grooves in the flanks of the knobs 69 and finally into these. This results in electrical connections from the upper conductor wires 60 to the bottom six downwardly projecting lower conductor wires 61st Depending on the relative position of the two plastic toy building blocks placed on top of each other, these or those contacts are effective so that it is possible to determine whether an upper plastic toy building block is placed congruently or offset on the lower toy building block, and if so in which direction.

Two such game blocks as previously described in three variants can be put on each other in any way, so congruent, for example, seen from above, or shifted in the longitudinal direction, that is left exposed two, four or even six knobs of the lower stone. The stones can also be inserted at right angles to each other over two or four knobs of the underlying stone, or even in the longitudinal direction laterally displaced two, three or four knobs covering. In each constellation, the conductor wires 25, 60 in the side surfaces of the occupied studs 6, 46, 69 are contacted by other lower conductor wires 26, 61 on the upper toy building block and can thus do so close a circuit. Depending on which traces on the circuit board 29 or contact plate 62 lead according to current, recognizes the microprocessor 32, the constellation of the two game modules to each other and two of the downwardly opening ladder 26, 61 of a triplet he can pass this information to a computer, which the Display constellation accordingly on a screen. If more stones are placed on top, their constellation will be forwarded equally to the bottom and finally displayed on a screen.

digits directory

1st variant (FIGS. 1 to 10)

1 main body

2 side wall

3 upper edge

4 floor in the game module

5 studded plate

6 pimples

7 contact foil

8 top of the stud plate 5

9 Narrow edge of the studded plate

10 foil

1 1 contact points on foil

12 cover plate

13 frame on cover plate

14 conductor wires

15 recess in body 1

16 triple package of conductor wires 14

17 plastic strip with holes

18 plastic strip with bolts

19 conductors on contact foil

20 assembly ladder

21 contact surfaces at the bottom of conductor wires Holes in plastic strip 17

Bolt on plastic strip 18

Upper contact points of the conductor wires ante: (FIGS. 11 to 14)

Upper conductor wires

Lower conductor wires

Upper ends of the lower conductor wires

Lower ends of the lower conductor wires

Printed circuit board between studded plate and basic body 1

Hole in mounting plate

Screws for mounting plate 29

microprocessor

Insertion holes for the longitudinal center, lower conductor wires

Holes in body

Cam along the outer edge of the body for the support of the printed circuit board 29th

Threaded bushes on mounting plate 29

Conductor paths on the circuit board 29th

Holes in the studded plate

studded panel

Recess of body for microchip

Longitudinal holes in body 1

Webs between the longitudinal center holes in the body

Lowered top of the body

Grooves on side surfaces of the knobs, for the upper conductor wires

Basic body second variant

Pimples second variant

Lower ends of the upper conductor wires 25

Hollow cylinder in the web 42

Grooves in web 42 for insertion of the lower conductor wires

Crossbar below in the main body 45

Lateral webs on the main body 45 Ring segments around the holes 34

Contact wires of the microchip

Spacer at the bottom of the nubbed plate 39 ante: (Figures 15 to 18)

Upper Conductor Wires at Nub Side Flanks (Fig. 17/18) Lower Conductor Wires Inside the Main Body (Fig. 17/18) Contact Plate (Fig. 17/18)

Insert parts as a holder for the conductor wires (Fig. 17/18) Basic body

upper hooks on the upper conductor wires 60

by 135 ° angled lower ends of the lower conductor wires by 90 ° at these ends angled outer ends grooves on the inserts 63rd

Claims

claims

Plastic toy building block with nubs on its upper side, the underside thereof being attachable to the upper side and there to the nubs (6) of a similar plastic toy building block under development of a clamping force, characterized in that resilient conductor wires (14; 25, 26; 61) are guided from the underside of the plastic toy building block through its interior via a contact interface on its upper side, so that in each case three conductor wires (14; 25, 26; 60, 61) are connected to at least one flank or upper side of each nub (6; 69), for the electronic determination of its position in the installed state with another similar plastic toy building block, and wherein the plastic toy building block comprising a base body (1, 45, 64) with from top to bottom through recesses (15; 38, 65), and with inserts (63) for inserting and holding over the height of the plastic toy building block more, when juxtaposing two similar plastic Spielba Depending on the created electrical connections between two superimposed plastic toy bricks, that is, between the lower ends of the conductor wires (14, 26, 61) of the upper plastic Game blocks and the upper ends of the conductor wires (19; 25; 60) or electrical lines on the knobs (6; 46; 69) of the lower plastic toy building block, the relative position of the two toy building blocks to each other is electronically determined.

2. plastic game module with electrical contacts (60,61) for the electronic determination of its location in the installed state, according to claim 1, consisting of a base body (64), in the below from a contact plate (62) and then at least one insert part (63) latching insert, the contact plate (62) having electrical conductors passing therethrough as interconnections of contact surfaces on both sides, and upper conductor wires (60) passing through the upper surface of the base body (64) into grooves in the flanks of the dimples (69) are inserted latching, which touch the contact plate (62) with their lower ends, and in the at least one insert part (63) from below in grooves (68) lower conductor wires (61) are latchingly inserted, the upper ends of the contact plate (62) of bottom, and whose lower ends are formed as contact surfaces for the upper conductor wires (60) on the flanks of the nubs (69).

3. plastic game module with electrical contacts (7,21; 25; 26) for the electronic determination of its position in the installed state, according to claim 1, consisting of a base body (1, 45) with from top to bottom through recesses (15; , 38) in its interior and with an inside lowered top (43) for accurately fitting insertion of an associated nubbed plate (5; 39), wherein in the base body (1; 45) a plurality of discrete resilient spring wires (14; 25,26) are used so that they protrude down as free, resilient spring wires (14; 26) down into the bottom hollow body (1; 45), without projecting the toy block below, but stick out as contact points from the top (43), and that a plurality of electrical leads (19,25) terminate at the nubs (6; 46) of the associated nubbed plate (5; 39), which pass through or pass around the studded plate (5; 39) by inserting the studded plate (5; 39) in the main body (1, 45) elek Depending on the created electrical connections between two superposed plastic toy building blocks, ie between the lower ends of the conductor wires (14, 26) of the upper plastic Game blocks and the upper ends of the electrical lines (19; 25) on the studs (6; 46) of the lower plastic toy building block, the relative position of the two toy building blocks to each other is electronically determined.

Plastic toy building block with electrical contacts (25; 26) for the electronic determination of its position in the installed state according to claim 1, characterized in that its base body (45) has a lowered upper side (43) lowered in relation to its upper edge, along its The longitudinal center on both sides of the same each have a number of threefold packages of holes (33) for inserting conductor wires (26) with top and bottom curved ends (27, 28), further that underneath the stud plate (39) is a printed circuit board (29) with electrical conductor tracks (37 ) is arranged from its bottom to its top, with a microchip (32) on the circuit board (29) whose contact wires (53) with the conductor paths (37) of the circuit board (29) are occupied, and wherein the base body (45) its underside a longitudinal center web (42) which has in its two sides a plurality of grooves (49) for clamping insertion of a respective lower conductor wire (26), and the s that the web (42) of three interrupts him and laterally with its outsides protruding hollow cylinders (48), further that the nubbed plate (39) along the sides of the nubs (46) the nubbed plate (39) passing through holes (38) for Insertion of upper conductor wires (25) along the knob side walls, and in that a printed circuit board (29) between the stud plate (39) and the base body (45) is arranged, with bottom-to-top conductor paths (37) for creating electrical connections between the upper ends (27) of the lower conductor wires (26) with selected conductors of the upper conductor wires (25), and that the Noppenplatte (39) including the circuit board (29) with the main body (45) is firmly connected.

Plastic toy building block with electrical contacts (25; 26) for the electronic determination of its position in the installed state according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conductor wires (25, 26; 60, 61) are provided at the contact-carrying ends (24, 47, 27 , 28; 66) are curved and elastically yielding, and the upper conductor wires (25; 60) with their angled ends (24; 66) can be clicked into recesses (44) in the sidewalls of the knobs (46; 69) and the lower ones Conductor wires (26; 61) by means of frictional resistance in the receiving grooves (49; 68) sit.

Plastic toy building block with electrical contacts (25; 26) for the electronic determination of its position in the installed state according to one of claims 4 to 5, characterized in that the studded plate (39) enclosing the printed circuit board (29) with the base body (45) is connectable, in the stud plate (39) on its underside threaded bushings (36), and the circuit board (29) with these bushes (36) corresponding holes (30), and the base plate (45) by means of the hollow cylinder (48) insertable Screws (31) by screwing into the threaded bushes (36) with the knob plate (39) is clamped.

Plastic toy building block with electrical contacts (25; 26) for the electronic determination of its position in the installed state according to one of claims 4 to 5, characterized in that the studded plate (39) enclosing the printed circuit board (29) with the base body (45) is connectable, in which the nubbed plate (39) on its underside along its edge closure parts, which are including the circuit board (29) with closure parts on top of the main body (45) together clickable.

Plastic game module with electrical contacts (25; 26) for the electronic determination of its position in the installed state according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that it by encapsulation of the conductor wires (25,26) and the circuit board (29) and the microchip (32) is generated.

Plastic toy building block with electrical contacts (7, 21) for the electronic determination of its position in the installed state according to claim 1, consisting of a base body (1) with recesses (15) passing through from above into its interior, into which packages (16 ) summarized in each case a plurality of discrete elastically resilient conductor wires (14) between plastic strips (17,18) are clamped or injected into a plastic strip can be used so that they down as a free, resilient spring wires (14) down into the recess (15 ) protrude without overhanging the toy building below and above as contact points (24) protrude the plastic strips (17,18), and that the toy building block has a stud plate (5) which is provided with a foil (10) covering it at the top and folded around its edge (9), on each of which several electrical lines ( 19) of each nub on the underside of the studded plate (5) to discrete contact points (1 1) are guided, said stud plate (5) from a cover plate (12) coverable on the stud surfaces and afterwards with the stud plate (5) on the Base body (1) of the toy building block is placed so that the lower contact points (1 1) on the film (10) with the upper stubs and thus contact points (24) of the conductor wires (14) come into electrical contact.

10. plastic game module with electrical contacts (7,21) for the electronic determination of its position in the installed state according to one of claims 1 9, characterized in that it consists of a cubic base body (1) with a quadrangular plan, with all-round side wall ( 2) and in the interior of this basic body (1) of a structure with recesses (15), or of a circular base body (1) with a quadrangular plan, with all-round side wall (2) and inside this body (1) of a structure with recesses (15) or consists of a substantially cubic base body (1) with L, U, E or F-shaped plan, with all-round side wall (2) and inside this base body (1) of a structure with recesses (15) ,

1 1. Plastic game module with electrical contacts (7,21) for the electronic determination of its position in the installed state according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that a studded plate (5) with knobs (6) can be placed on the toy building block, and on this studded plate (5) an electrical contact foil (7) can be placed, which covers the tops of the knobs (6) congruent and their electrical connections (19) from the top of the knobs (6) down to the studded plate ( 5) and on this outside to its edge (9) lead, and from there on to the nubbed plate (5) foldable film (10) with integrated contact points (1 1), and that a cover plate (12) upwardly projecting frame (13) can be placed on this nubbed flap (5), so that in the mounted state, the frame (13) each one knob (6) laterally fill and the cover plate (12) on the plastic toy block flush clickable, further that the Base body (1) from below accessible recesses (15) which communicate with the contact points (1 1) of the folded film (10), wherein for each knob (6) three resilient by bending contact wires (16) as an ensemble on both sides by terminal strips ( 17,18) held clamped and the terminal strips (17,18) in the recesses (15) are clicked, so that the contact wires (16) contact three different contact points (1 1) on the folded film (10).

12. plastic toy building block with electrical contacts (7,21) for the electronic determination of its position in the installed state according to one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that the toy building block has an upwardly projecting edge (3) above, so that a relation to this upper edge (3) downwardly stepped bottom (4) is formed, on which a knobbed plate (5) with studs (6) is accurately inserted, or that it has a top edge, which forms an inwardly extending step, and the associated nubbed plate (5) outside a downwardly projecting edge, with which it is accurately placed on this stage.

13. A method for the industrial production of a plastic toy building block with electrical contacts for the electronic determination of its position in the installed state according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that

a) lower conductor wires (60) by means of a robot or by hand in the grooves (68) in the inserts (63) are inserted against frictional resistance,

b) upper conductor wires (60) are inserted from below through the top of the plastic play module by means of a robot or by hand longitudinally in grooves in the side walls of the knobs (6) until the upper, angled ends click into corresponding recesses in the grooves and thus held in it, c) a contact plate (62) with conductors and interconnections for electrical connection of upper and lower contact surfaces by means of a robot or manually inserted from below into the base body (64) and clicked therein, for establishing an electrical connection between the upper contact surfaces and the lower, resilient ends of the upper conductor wires (60);

d) inserting the inserts (63) from underneath into the body (64) by means of a robot or by hand and clicking them therein to establish an electrical connection between the lower contact surfaces on the contact plate (62) and the upper, resilient ends of the lower ones Conductor wires (60).

14. A method for the industrial production of a plastic toy building block with electrical contacts (7,21) for the electronic determination of its position in the installed state according to one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that

e) lower conductor wires (26) are inserted by means of a robot or by hand into the grooves (49) in the side surfaces of the web (42) against frictional resistance,

f) upper conductor wires (25) are inserted through the holes (38) in the studded plate (39) from below by means of a robot or by hand longitudinally in grooves (44) in the sidewalls of the studs (46) until their upper, angled ends (24) click into corresponding recesses in the grooves (44) and are thus held therein,

g) the printed circuit board (29) and afterwards the studded plate (39) by means of a robot or by hand on the top of the main body (45) is inserted,

h) the base body (45), including the printed circuit board (29) by means of screws (31) by a robot or by hand with the underside of the studded plate (39) screwed or welded or clicked together.

Process for the industrial production of a plastic toy building block electrical contacts (7,21) for the electronic determination of its position in the installed state according to claim 9, consisting of a base body (1) with all-round side wall (2) and in the interior of this base body (1) of a structure with recesses (15),

a) a contact foil (7) with lines (19) and end contact points on the top of a stud plate (5) conforming to this is applied and over an edge (9) of the stud plate (5) also extends, and the free end of the film to the Edge (9) of the studded plate (5) is folded over on its underside so that it covers the bottom;

b) one or more assembly ladder (20) with a plurality of packages (16) branched off from a plurality of elastically resilient conductor wires (14) is clamped between two plastic strips (17, 18) or injected on all sides into a single plastic strip,

c) the assembly ladder (20) are cut away and the plastic strips (17,18) or the single plastic strip with the above as stub and down as bent wires projecting conductor wires (14) are installed from above in recesses (15) in the toy building block, so that the elastically resilient conductor wires (14) protrude down into the recess (15), without projecting beyond the lower edge of the toy building element,

d) the stud plate (5) is lowered onto the toy block open at the top, so that the contact points (11) on the film (10) on its underside come into contact with the upper stubs (24) of the conductor wires (14), e) a Cover plate (12) with frame (13) is lowered precisely on the knobs (6) of the studded plate (5), so that these nubs (6) are each surrounded by a frame (13), and the cover plate (12) at the top of the Game blocks is clicked or welded.