Patent ID: 6443796
Filing Date: 2002-09-03
Classification: A63H

Abstract:
A construction playset, comprising:a housing having a planar upper surface defining a base, said base including a plurality of at least four coupling pins, said coupling pins being arranged in a plurality of rows and columns and upstanding from said planar upper surface; said base further including a plurality of multi-terminal electrical connectors defining base electrical connectors, said base electrical connectors being accessible from said surface of said base; each of said plurality of base electrical connectors being symmetrically centrally positioned between a respective two of said coupling pins in one row of coupling pins and a respective two adjacent pins in an adjacent row of said coupling pins, whereby said base electrical connectors are distributed at different locations on said base; a first plurality of play pieces, said first plurality of play pieces including: top and underside surfaces, said top surfaces of said play pieces containing a plurality of coupling pins, said coupling pins being arranged in rows and columns and extending upwardly, and said underside surface containing a plurality of coupling grips; said coupling pins for frictionally engaging coupling grips of another play piece and said coupling grips for frictionally engaging coupling pins of another play piece or of said base to temporarily attach a play piece to said another play piece or said base; each of said play pieces of said first plurality of play pieces further including: a pair of multi-terminal electrical connectors, said pair of multi-terminal electrical connectors including: a first electrical connector comprising a multi-terminal electrical plug, said electric plug being accessible from one of said top and underside surfaces of said play piece; and a second connector comprising a multi-terminal electrical socket, said electrical socket being accessible from the other one of said upper and under surfaces of said play piece; said terminals of said electrical plug being electrically connected to corresponding terminals of said electrical socket to provide a multiple lead electrical extension through said play piece; a second plurality of play pieces, said second plurality of play pieces having top and underside surfaces, said underside surface containing a plurality of coupling grips, said coupling grips for frictionally engaging coupling pins of another play piece or of said base to temporarily attach a respective play piece to said another play piece or said base; each of said play pieces of said second plurality of play pieces further including: â€ƒa multi-terminal electrical connector for mating engagement with an electrical connector on another play piece or on said base, said electrical connector being accessible from an underside of said respective play piece, said electrical connector comprising either an electric socket or an electric plug in dependence upon whether said accessible electrical connector on the upper surface of said play pieces of said first plurality of play pieces and on said base comprises, respectively, an electric plug or an electric socket, whereby said respective electric socket or electric plug of said play pieces of said second plurality of play pieces may mate with said electric plugs or electric socket of said base or of said first plurality of play pieces.