ELECTRONIC CONSTRUCTION BRICKS

Abstract: An electronics construction kit comprises a base plate (20), component bricks e.g. R1, R2, R3, S, T, D each having an electrical or electronic component in a transparent upwardly projection housing, and connector bricks e.g. C for electrically interconnecting the component bricks to form a working circuit as an accurate representation of the corresponding circuit diagram. The component bricks are a push-fit onto the base plate at selectable positions and have terminal portions projecting outwards from them adjacent their bottoms: the connector bricks are a push-fit onto these terminal portions to establish the electrical interconnections. The form of the rigid component and connector bricks enable each brick to be readily grasped and pulled away for removal or repositioning.

Description: ELECTRONIC CONSTRUCTION BRICKS This invention relates to an electronic construc¬ tion kit for educational, recreational, experimental or other purposes. Electronic construction kits are known which com- prise a base and electrical or electronic components for engagement upon the base. In one type of kit, the various components fitted on the base are interconnected by leads in order to complete an electronic circuit. With this type of kit, the circuit is awkward to assemble and alter because several movements must be made to connect each terminal of the lead or component to the appropriate conn¬ ector. Also the circuit once assembled does not give a geometrically recognisable representation of the corres¬ ponding diagram because the components cannot always be fitted on the base at the positions designated in the cir¬ cuit diagram and because the flexible leads are twisted and not straight as in the circuit diagram. Furthermore the components tend to be obscured from view by the large number of leads. In another type of kit, the components are housed in bricks which are engaged upon the base side- by-side with adjacent bricks being electrically inter¬ connected by way of contacts provided for example on their facing sides. Some of the bricks house straight conduc¬ tors so that a circuit can be assembled approximately rep- resenting the corresponding circuit diagram, but it is often difficult to fit, remove and replace bricks because of the difficulty of grasping one brick if surrounded by neighbouring bricks. It is an object of this invention to provide an electronic construction kit which overcomes the drawbacks of known construction kits described above. In accordance with this invention, there is provi¬ ded an electronic construction kit, comprising a base plate, a plurality of selectable component bricks engageable upon the base plate at selectable positions, and a plurality of selectable connector bricks for electrically interconnec¬ ting selective terminals of the component bricks, each component brick including an upwardly projecting portion which houses an electrical or electronic component, and at least one terminal portion projecting outwardly at or adjacent the bottom of the brick and being provided with a conductive terminal electrically connected with the com¬ ponent housed within the brick, and each connector brick being engageable with the terminal portions of different component bricks engaged upon the base plate, so as to electrically interconnect the respective terminals. When an electronic circuit is. assembled on the base plate, using a kit in accordance with this invention, the component bricks project upwardly above the level at which the connector bricks provide the required electrical interconnections. The component bricks thus remain access¬ ible and can be readily grasped for removal or reposition¬ ing. Preferably the component bricks are a push-fit onto the base plate, and may be removed by pulling. The base plate may be formed with an array of upstanding studs and the bottoms of the component bricks formed, with corres¬ ponding sockets engageable over the studs. Preferably the studs on the base plate and the sockets in the component bricks are relatively closely spaced compared with the transverse dimensions of the component bricks, so as to provide for a degree of choice over the positioning of the bricks relative to each other (in contrast to some prior art kits in which the base plate is in effect divi¬ ded into squares equal in size to each brick and in which each brick must be registered with a selected square). Preferably the connector bricks are a push-fit onto the terminal portions of the component bricks. These terminal portions may be formed with upstanding studs and the bottoms of the connector bricks with corresponding sockets engageable over the studs. Alternative formations may be provided for estab- lishing engagement between the component bricks and the base plate and between the connector bricks and the termin¬ al portions of the component bricks. For example, the base plate may be formed with sockets or with apertures in place of the studs, and the bottoms of the component bricks formed with projecting studs or pins in place of their sockets. The terminal portions of the component bricks may be formed with sockets or with apertures in place of the studs, and the bottoms of the connector bricks formed with studs or pins in place of their sockets. Preferably the upwardly projecting portion of each component brick, which portion houses the electrical or electronic component, is made of transparent material so that the component itself remains visible. Preferably the top of this housing portion is inscribed with the con- ventional symbol representative of the component within the housing. Embodiments of this invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompany¬ ing drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 shows a base plate in side elevation and plan view; FIGURE 2 shows in plan and cross-section an elec¬ trically inert connector brick; FIGURE 3 shows in plan and cross-section one type of electrically conductive connector brick; FIGURE 4 is a section through a component brick housing a resistor; FIGURE 5 shows in side elevation and plan view a component brick housing a transistor; FIGURE 6 shows in section and plan view a compo¬ nent brick housing a potentiometer; FIGURE 7 shows in side elevation and plan view a component brick housing an electric motor; FIGURE 8 is a plan view of an electrical connec- tor brick; FIGURE 9 is a plan view of another embodiment of electrical connector brick for forming junctions; FIGURE 10 shows a supply rail brick in section and plan view; FIGURE 11 shows in section and plan view an elec¬ trically inert brick for constructing a housing or con¬ tainer around a circuit assembled from component and conn¬ ector bricks etc., of the kit; FIGURE 12 is a diagram of an electronic circuit given to illustrate the use of a kit in accordance with this invention; FIGURE 13 is a perspective view of the circuit of Figure 12 assembled from bricks of a kit in accordance with this invention; FIGURE 14 is a perspective view of the circuit assembly of Figure 13 when a container is constructed to enclose it; FIGURE 15 is a perspective view of a component brick housing a photocell; FIGURE 16 is a perspective view of a brick forming a battery compartment; FIGURE 17 shows in side elevation and plan view a component brick housing a dual-in-line package; FIGURES 18 - 20 show, in section and plan views, three alternative forms for the electrical terminals of the various component and connector bricks; and FIGURES 21 and 22 show in side and plan views two alternative forms of terminals to establish lateral connec¬ tions. Before referring to the accompanying drawings in detail, it will be appreciated that an electronics constru- tion kit will comprise at least one base plate such as shown in Figure 1 for example, a selection of component bricks such as shown in Figures 4 to 7 for example, and a selection of electrical connector bricks such as shown in Figures 8 and 9 for example. The kit may also comprise a selection of bricks such as shown in the other Figures, together with instructional material. The kit may be used to build any of a wide variety of working circuits, inclu¬ ding those designed by the user, each circuit being assemb- led by selecting appropriate component, connector and other bricks from the kit and positioning them appropriately on the base plate. Referring to Figure 1, the base plate 20 comprises a rectangular, rigid flat plate formed on its upper surface with an array of circular studs 21 disposed at regular intervals in parallel rows and columns. The base is for¬ med as one-piece of electrically insulating plastics mat¬ erial. Figures 4 to 7 show component bricks, each hous- ing an electrical or electronic component 22 mounted to a rigid body 23 and enclosed within a rigid transparent housing portion or capsule 24 fixed to the body 23. The body 23 has a flat bottom provided with sockets 25 corres¬ ponding in size and spacing to the studs 21 of the base (figure 1), so that the component brick is engageable as a push-fit onto the base plate at any selected position. In particular, the bottom of each rigid component brick is formed with one or more parallel rows each including a plurality of the sockets 25 to maximise the choice of positioning for the bricks upon the base plate. In each of the component bricks, the rigid body 23 is shaped so that the outline of its plan projection resembles that of the component's diagrammatic symbol and the component itself is elevated above the body 23• The body 23 projects outwardly beyond the housing portion 24 and is formed on its upper surface with circular conduc¬ tive studs 26 connected to the components themselves and thus providing terminals for these components. For exam¬ ple in Figure 4, two terminal studs 26 are connected to the opposite ends of a resistor and positioned on terminal portions of the brick which project outwardly from the housing portion 24 at opposite ends of the brick. In Figure 5, three terminal studs 26 are connected to the three leads of the transistor 22 and are positioned on the rectangular body 23 to either side and in front of the housing portion 24. In Figure 6, three terminal studs 26 are connected to the three terminals of the potentio¬ meter 22 and are positioned on the rectangular body 23 to either side and in front of the housing portion 24. In Figure 7, two terminal studs 26 are connected to the two terminals of the motor 22 and are both positioned on a portion of the body 23 which projects from one end of the housing portion, whilst the drive shaft 22a_ of the motor projects from the other end of the housing portion. Figures 8 to 10 of the drawings show rigid connec¬ tor bricks. The connector brick of Figure 8 comprises an elongate body 23 formed with a row of sockets 25 (not shown) in its bottom, for engagement over terminal studs of the different component bricks, and a row of studs on its top. This row of studs includes two end studs 26 which are conductive and interconnected by a conductor 27' encap¬ sulated within the body 23 of the brick, and intervening insulating studs 26a_ integral with the body 23. the con¬ nector brick -of Figure 9 is of generally similar design but of double right-angle shape with four conductive studs 26 interconnected by a conductor 27. Figure 10 shows a supply rail brick having an elongate body 23 formed on its bottom with a row of sockets 25 so that it may be push- fitted onto the base of Figure 1, and formed on its top with a row of conductive studs 26 connected together and to an additional terminal stud 28 by a conductor 27. Ter¬ minal studs projects above the other studs and is formed with a socket 28a_ in its top for receiving an electrical lead from e.g. a supply battery. The connector bricks of Figures 8 to 10 may be of any convenient length and the kit will normally include a selection of such connector bricks of different lengths and shapes. However they enable conductive paths to be built up in straight lines and right-angled lines, corres- ponding to the course of interconnecting conductors on a circuit diagram. Referring to Figure 2, in register with each insulating stud 26a_, an insulating socket 25 is formed in each brick. However, referring to Figure 3, in register with each conductive stud 26a_, the under- lying socket 25a. is formed with electrically conductive portions, extending from the stud 26a., to make electrical contact with a terminal stud over which it is engaged in use. Figure 11 shows an electrically insulating or inert brick for use in building up a container around a circuit to be assembled on the base of Figure 1. The brick com¬ prises a body 23 of extended height (relative to the height of the connector bricks), with a row of inert studs 26 on its top and a row of sockets 25 in its bottom. A kit in accordance with this invention will com¬ prise at least one base plate as shown in Figure 1, a selection of component bricks of various component types, a selection of connector bricks of the type shown in Figures 8 to 10, and preferably a selection of bricks such as shown in Figure 11 but of various lengths. Figure 12 shows a circuit diagram by way of example and Figure 13 shows this circuit assembled using a kit in accordance with this invention. In order to assemble the circuit from the kit, certain of the required compo¬ nent bricks are engaged upon the base of Figure 1 at selec- ted positions, being engaged as a push-fit down onto the base with the studs 21 of the base engaging within the sockets 25 in the bottoms of the component bricks which have been selected. Thus, switch, transistor and light emitting diode bricks S, T and D are positioned on the base in this way. Then, the terminals of these bricks are interconnected in the required manner using either connector bricks or other component bricks engaged, in push-fit manner, onto the terminal studs of the already- positioned component bricks S, T, D. As shown, supply rail bricks 29 of Figure 10 are engaged upon the base, corresponding to the circuit diagram of Figure 12, and connected to the bricks S, T, D by connector bricks C and resistor brick R2. A further resistor brick R3 fits at one end over one end of resistor brick R2 and at the other end over light emitting diode brick D. The circuit as assembled in Figure 13 ressembles very clearly the circuit diagram shown in Figure 12. Because the housing portion 24 of each component brick projects upwardly and is elevated above the level at which the connector bricks establish electrical interconnections, these component bricks remain accessible, can be readily seen and can be readily grasped for removal or reposition¬ ing. Also because the housings 24 are transparent, the components 22 are themselves clearly visible and recognis- able. Moreover, the top of the housing portion of each component brick is inscribed with the conventional symbol representative of the component within the housing, as shown on the resistor, diode and transistor bricks in Figure 13. A further feature is that, because the connec- tor bricks sit on top of the terminal portions of the component bricks, generally there will be a gap 33 between their bottoms and the base plate, permitting these connec¬ tor bricks to be grasped readily for removal or reposition¬ ing. In order for the assembled circuit to operate, a power supply may be connected to the supply rail bricks 29, using flexible leads 30 (Figure 14) having terminal ends engaged into the sockets 28a of the supply rail bricks. Referring to Figure 14, a housing or container may be built up around the circuit once assembled on the base plate, this housing being made up of electrically inert bricks 31 (such as shown in Figure 11) push-fitted to the base plate to surround the assembled circuit. Then a cover plate 3 may be push-fitted onto the top of the surrounding wall provided by the bricks 31 > with apertures being cut through this cover plate if necessary for access to particular components (e.g. the switch S and the light emitting diode D in the example shown). The cover plate thus provides a control and display panel. Further developments and modifications are shown in Figures 15 to 22 of the drawings. Figure 15 shows a component brick having a portion 24 housing a photocell, which portion is pivoted about a horizontal axis to an upper body part 23a_ which can be turned about a vertical axis relative to a lower body part 23b_. Thus the photocell can be oriented as required once the brick is engaged for example upon the base plate. Figure 16 shows a brick forming a battery compart¬ ment and having projecting terminal portions connectable to supply rail bricks 29. Figure 17 shows a component brick incorporating a dual-in-line package and having terminal portions projec¬ ting from it along its opposite sides, each such portion having a row of terminal studs 26. Figures 18 to 20 show three alternative construc- tions for terminal studs and sockets. In contrast to Figure 3, in which a metal stud is fitted into an aper¬ ture in the brick and has tails extending downwards to form a conductive socket 25a., Figure 18 shows a sheet metal element extending over an inert stud of the brick and having tails extending into the socket below. In Figure 19, a metal insert is fitted centrally through the inert stud, providing a cental socket in the top and a central pin inthe. bottom (the pin of one such brick being engageable into the central socket of another). Figure 20 shows an inert brick with stud and socket, with a metal element fitted onto the top of the stud and provided with numerous miniature hooks 35 on its top and a pin extending through the inert stud of the brick to the socket below, where it connects to a layer of wire wool 35. Figures 21 and 22 show component bricks with two alternative forms of terminals, which allow lateral connec¬ tions between adjacent bricks of like-terminal types. In these two examples, terminals are formed at 26 on the sides of terminal portions projecting from the bricks adja- cent the bottoms of these bricks. In Figure 22, the ter¬ minals consist of elements with numerous miniature hooks for mating with terminals of wire wool: such terminals 3^, 35 are also provided on the tops and bottoms of the terminal portions. The component bricks may be arranged to house any appropriate type of electrical or electronic component, apart from those already mentioned. For example, the bricks may house electro-mechanical actuators (e.g. for the assembl and control of a robot). A brick may house a peripheral interface so that a computer can be connected and used to receive information from bricks containing sensor and control elements and to transmit instructions to bricks containing display, executive and electro-mechanical devices

Claims: CLAIMS 1. An electronic construction kit, comprising a base plate, a plurality of selectable component bricks engage¬ able upon the base plate at selectable positions, and a plurality of selectable connector bricks for electrically interconnecting selective terminals of the component bricks, each component brick including an upwardly projecting por¬ tion which houses an electrical or electronic component, and at least one terminal portion projecting outwardly at or adjacent the bottom of the brick and being provided with a conductive terminal electrically connected with the comp¬ onent housed within the brick, and each connector being engageable with the terminal portions of different compo¬ nent bricks engaged upon the base, so as to electrically interconnect the repective terminals. 2. An electronic construction kit as claimed in Claim 1, in which the component bricks are a push-fit onto the base place. 3. An electronic construction kit as claimed in Claim 2, in which the base plate is formed with an array of studs (or sockets) and each component brick is formed over its bottom with a complementary set of sockets (or studs). 4. An electronic construction kit as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the connector bricks are a push- fit onto the terminal portions of the component bricks. 5. An electronic construction kit as claimed in Claim 4, in which the terminal portions of the component bricks are formed with upstanding studs (or with sockets) and the bottoms of the connector bricks are formed with correspond¬ ing sockets (or studs). 6. An electronic construction kit as claimed in Claim 5, in which each connector brick is formed on one side with conductive terminal studs and on the other side with corres¬ pondingly positioned sockets having conductive elements electrically connected with the corresponding studs. 7. An electronic construction kit as claimed in any preceding claim, in which said upwardly projecting portion of each component brick is transparent so that the compo¬ nent itself is visible. 8. An electronic construction kit as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising construction bricks for forming a housing around a circuit assembled on the base plate.

Inventors: TRAVIS ADRIAN ROBERT LEIGH, TRAVIS, ADRIAN, ROBERT, LEIGH
Applicants: TRAVIS ADRIAN ROBERT LEIGH, TRAVIS, ADRIAN, ROBERT, LEIGH
Application year: 1986
Main classification: G09B23
IPC codes: G09B23