Patent ID: 11951411
Assignee: PIKE BRANDS LLC
Field: Furniture, games (Other fields)
Classification: CPC A | IPC A

Claim 7:
8. An animation module configured for use on a marble run module of a plurality of physically interconnectable marble run modules, each marble run module configured to retain a marble and guide the travel of the marble through the module on at least a first surface, the animation module comprising:
a housing configured to connect to a first marble run module of the plurality of physically interconnectable marble run modules;
a motor operably coupled to rotate responsive to receiving a drive signal;
a platen supported on the housing and operably coupled to the motor to rotate responsive to rotation of the motor;
a drive circuit operably configured to cause the drive signal to be provided to the motor responsive to receiving an activation signal;
a marble detection switch having an open state and a closed state, wherein the marble detection switch is configured to transition between the open state and the closed state responsive to detection of a marble, and the marble detection switch is configured to cause the activation signal to be provided to the drive circuit responsive to a transition between the open state and the closed state; and
wherein the marble detection switch includes an actuator and first and second switch contacts, and wherein the actuator is-operably coupled to at least one of the group consisting of the first switch contact and the second switch contact to transition the first and second switch contacts between one of the open state and closed state to another of the open state and the closed state responsive to a marble contacting the actuator.