Patent ID: 12257524

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject technology overcomes many of the prior art problems associated with toy figurines. The advantages, and other features of the technology disclosed herein, will become more readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art from the following detailed description of certain preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the drawings which set forth representative embodiments of the present technology and wherein like reference numerals identify similar structural elements. Directional indications such as upward, downward, right, left and the like are used with respect to the figures and not meant in a limiting manner.

FIG.1, in a perspective view, shows a two part toy figurine, or simply toy figurine100, according to an aspect of the disclosure. The toy figurine100may comprise as toy figurine first part101and a toy figurine second part103. The toy figurine first part101may also be referred to simply as first part101. The toy figurine second part103may also be referred to simply as second part103. The first part101and the second part103are configured to be releasably connected to each other to form the toy figurine100, which inFIG.1is shown in an assembled state, where the first part101and the second part103are connected to each other. The first part101and the second part103may be connected via suitable, not shown connection means.

As shown, the toy figurine100is of a type resembling a character such as human being, a toy human being. The character may alternatively be an animal, a toy animal, a fantasy creature, or the like.

Further, the toy figurine100is of a type is of a type comprising electronic components configured to enhance character traits relating to the character, which the toy figurine100is made to resemble. Such character traits may be represented by sounds, music, tactile e.g. vibration patterns, and light such as flashing lights etc.

For this purpose the toy figurine100is equipped with one or more electronic output components, such as one or more loud speaker, one or vibration devices, one or more light sources (such as LED), etc. For example, in an embodiment, and as shown in theFIGS.1and2, the toy figurine100may comprise a digital screen110. In embodiments, the electronic output components may be provided in the first part101.

The toy figurine100may further be equipped with a suitable, not shown, electronic controller (a processor) electronically connected with the one or more electronic components for controlling the same, e.g. via a suitable wiring (not shown). In some embodiments the electronic controller may be provided in the first part101.

Further, the toy figurine100may be equipped with one or more sensors (not shown), such as proximity sensors, vibration sensors, location sensors, sensors for detecting movement of the figurine, readers for detecting markers in a proximity of the toy figurine100, cameras, etc. The one or more sensors may be connected to the electronic controller via suitable electrical connections, e.g. wiring (not shown). In some embodiments, one or more such sensors may be provided in the first part101.

In an embodiment, the above mentioned digital screen110may be a touch screen, and be configured for both providing an output and for receiving an input from a user.

Further, the toy figurine100may comprise one or more (not shown) communication devices for communicating with other entities such as other similar toy figurines, computers, cell phones, etc. Such communication devices may comprise ports and/or wireless communication devices, such as blue tooth, Wi-Fi, etc. The one or more communication devices may be electronically connected to—and controlled by—the above mentioned electronic controller, via suitable electrical connections, e.g. wiring (not shown). In some embodiments, one or more such communication devices are provided in the first part101.

Further, the toy figurine100may comprise a power source (not shown inFIG.1, seeFIGS.4,5, and7), such as one or more electric batteries10. The power source is configured for powering the one or more electronic output components, the one or more sensors, the one more communication devices and/or the electronic controller. For this purpose, the one or more batteries is/are connected via suitable electronic circuitry, e.g. wiring. In preferred embodiments the power source is provided in the first part101.

FIGS.3A-Cshows a first part101of a toy figurine100, seen from the side.FIG.3Ashows a side view of the first part101.FIGS.3B-Cshows sectional side views of the first part101.

The first part101of the toy figurine100comprises a main portion or housing102, see e.g.FIGS.3A-C. The housing102of the first part101of the first toy figurine100may be essentially box shaped, as shown inFIGS.1-3. The housing102comprises a battery compartment20enclosed in the housing102, seeFIGS.3B,3C. The housing102may further enclose a subset of the above mentioned electronic components. Some electronic components, such as various sensors may be arranged on outer surfaces or through outer walls of the housing102.

The first part101of the toy figurine100may comprise a first/upper portion resembling a head117of the character, and a second/lower portion resembling a body118of the character which the toy figurine100is intended to look like/represent.

The first/upper portion resembling a head117and the second/lower portion118resembling a body may be visually distinguishable at least by a circumferential indentation119surrounding the housing102, and resembling a neck of the character which the toy figurine100is intended to look like/represent.

The box shape of the housing102of the toy figurine first part10comprises a front surface, a back or rear surface parallel with and opposing the front surface, and two parallel and opposed side surfaces connected to the front surface and the back surface, and perpendicularly thereto. At the upper end, the front surface, the back or rear surface, and the side surfaces are connected to the upper surface, and at the lower end, the front surface, the back or rear surface, and the side surfaces are connected to the lower/bottom surface to form the essentially box shaped housing102.

A hatch or cover29may be provided in e.g. the rear wall of the housing102to provide access to the battery compartment20in order to allow replacement the one or more power sources (batteries10).

To make the appearance of a specific character, the housing102may be provided with ornamentations representative of certain characteristic features of the character, which the toy figurine100is supposed to resemble. The ornamentation may be provided e.g. by a colouring, or by integrated reliefs formed with the housing102or parts thereof, or a combination thereof.

As shown inFIGS.1and3A-C such ornamentations may comprise a set of eyes123, a nose124, a mouth126and hair127. In the embodiment shown inFIGS.1and3, the mentioned features are shown as being formed as reliefs in the housing102.

In the embodiment shown inFIG.2, facial traits of a character, like mouth and eyes are indicated as being represented on a digital screen formed at the outer surface of the front surface of the toy figurine100.

The toy figurine first part101may be provided with an arm120extending from each of the two side surfaces. The arms120may be rotationally connected to the housing102. Further, each of the arms120may be provided with a hand121. The hand121may be rotationally connected to the arm120.

The hand121may as shown be formed as claw, with two flanges formed encircling a cylindrical space. The claw formed by the two flanges of the hand121thereby may form a connector configured for connecting to other construction toy parts (not shown) having at least portions that are cylindrical and dimensioned to cooperate with the connector by resilience of the two flanges of the claw forming the hand121.

At the bottom surface of the housing102, the first part101may be provided with first connection means (not shown), the first connection means being configured for cooperating with second connection means (not shown), formed in the toy figurine second part103.

As shown in e.g.FIG.1, the toy figurine first part101may be provided fifth connectors/connection means140, e.g. in the form of knobs. As shown inFIG.1there may e.g. be formed four knobs on the upper/top surface of the housing102and protruding therefrom. As shown, the four knobs may be arranged in a 2×2 array.

Thereby, the fifth connection means/knobs1400may be used for connecting the first toy figurine part101to another toy construction element (not shown). For this purpose, the other toy construction element may be provided with sixth connection means (not shown), for example in the form of corresponding/cooperating indentations configured for cooperating with the knobs140as is known in the art of toy building/construction sets.

Each of the side surfaces of the first part101may be provided with one or more fifth connection means140,142. Further, the front surface of the second part103of the toy figurine100may be provided with one or more fifth connection means140,143. The one or more fifth connection means140,142,143e.g. in the form of knobs, may be used to connect other toy construction elements having sixth connection means as suggested above.FIG.2illustrates an example of a toy system90comprising a physical play environment200constructed from toy construction elements221,222,223,224,225,226,227,228. The toy system90further comprises a toy figurine100, which a user300can move about in the physical play environment200. The toy figurine100may be the toy figurine100as described above, and having a battery compartment20and a battery connection1as described below. The toy figurine100may further comprise an accelerometer (not shown) for detecting movements of the toy figurine100and an optical reader (not shown) configured to detect different types of markers,210,211,212,214: One type of marker212may include a visible code, such as a microdot pattern, a OR code or the like; while other markers211may be colored tiles or other colored toy construction elements200. However, it will be appreciated that other types of markers, such as visible markers, RFID markers, etc. may be used. The toy figurine100resembles a character. In this example, the reader (not shown) is facing downwards, i.e. configured to detect markers onto or above which the toy figurine100is placed.

The user300may initiate a play activity by holding the toy figurine100in contact or dose proximity to a start marker210. Responsive to detecting the start marker210, the toy figurine100may enters an active play mode. In some embodiments, the toy system1includes different start markers210, each indicative of a respective play activity. Alternatively or additionally, different play activities may be selected based on other criteria, e.g. a user input to the toy, communication with another toy figurine or with a processing device, based on previously completed play experiences, a progression level of the toy figurine, etc. A progression level may e.g. be stored by the toy figurine100and/or by a remote processing device (not shown) with which the toy figurine100is communicatively connected.

While in the active play state, the toy figurine100detects movements of the toy figurine100and it detects one or more markers211,212, e.g. toy construction elements having predetermined color(s) or other visual markers, when the toy figurine5is brought in proximity of said markers.

When the toy detects a finish marker214, the toy exits the active play state and may compute a score which depends on the movements and markers that have been detected while the toy was in the active play state.

Moving the toy figurine100around in a physical play environment200as described above, causes the toy figurine100to be subjected to impacts with a floor a table or surfaces of the toy construction elements221,222,223,224,225,226,227,228. Using traditional battery connections, there is a risk that the electrical power to one or more of the above mentioned electric components of the toy figurine100is cut off by such impacts. This may cause malfunction of the controller/processor and/or other electric components, thereby risking that the play experience is interrupted, reset, or stopped altogether.

In order to function stably many of the electronic components mentioned above requires a stable, unabrupted power supply. A stable power supply may be achieved by a battery connection1according to one aspect of the disclosure.

Such a battery connection1may be applied in connection with a toy figurine100as described in connection withFIGS.1-3above. However, the inventive battery connection1may be utilized in other battery compartments as well, particularly in other impact prone applications.

FIGS.4A-Dshows an electrical battery, or simply battery10, placed in a battery compartment20, according to the disclosure.FIG.4Ashows a battery10incorrectly inserted in the battery compartment20.FIGS.4B-Cshows a battery correctly inserted in the battery compartment20, and in two different extreme positions, which will be described in more detail further below.FIG.4Dshows details of a first end21of a battery convert20with a battery10and a battery connection according to the disclosure.

The battery10shown is of a type with an elongate body13having a first end11and a second end12. The body13of the battery10may have a circular cross-section, i.e. be cylindrical, having a cylindrical sidewall13′ extending between the first end11and the second end. However, in principle the body14may alternatively have other cross-sectional shapes (not shown), for example triangular, square, rectangular, etc. In such cases, the body13has a set of sidewalls extending between the first end11and the second end, rather than a single cylindrical sidewall.

A first end surface16is defined at the first end11of the body13of the battery. A first rim11′ is defined between the first end surface16and the sidewall13(or set of sidewalls).

A second end surface17is defined at the second end12of the body13of the battery. A second rim12′ is defined between the second end surface17and the sidewall13′ (or set of sidewalls).

The first end of the battery10comprises a positive terminal or pole14of the battery10, and the second end12comprises a negative terminal or pole15of the battery10.

As can be appreciated fromFIGS.4A-D, the positive terminal14of the battery is formed as a protruding knob18having a first contact surface14′, which extends above the first end surface16of the battery20. The first contact surface14′ is elevated over the first end surface16of the battery20.

Thereby, the knob18can be said to have a height (relative to the first end surface16of the battery).

The negative terminal (pole)15of the battery may—as shown inFIGS.4A-Dbe formed as a flat surface, second contact surface19. The second contact surface19may—as shown—be retracted (slightly) from the second end surface17.

For example the battery10may be a standard size single cell cylindrical dry battery, such as an A, AA, or AAA type standard battery. AA type batteries are also known as double A, penlight or mignon batteries. The IEC 60086 system calls the AA size, R6 and the ANSI C18 names it size15. A zinc-carbon battery in size AAA is designated by IEC as “R03”, an alkaline LR03, and by ANSI C18.1 as “24”. In connection with the toy figurine one or two size AAA batteries are preferably housed in the battery compartment20. Alternatively, the battery may be an industrial battery like a 18650 Lithium cell, which may be used where industry standard (low cost, high performance) applies. Also this type of (rechargeable) battery may need to eb removed for inspection, requires correct insertion and needs a stable electrical connection to the terminals.

The battery compartment20forms housing for one or more batteries10, and may comprise one or more of a first end wall23(FIG.3B), a second end wall24(FIG.3B,FIGS.5A-B), a sidewall25(FIGS.5A-B), and a cover29(FIG.3B,FIGS.4A-D). The battery compartment20may be an integrated part of an electrically powered device such as the toy figurine100described above, or it may be a separate entity. Regardless, the battery compartment20is preferably an elongate structure having a first end21and opposite thereto, a second end22, see e.g.FIGS.5A-B. At least one sidewall25extends between said first and second ends21,22, and encloses a space20′ configured in size and shape to accommodate a battery10. It will be appreciated that the at least one side wall may be formed to at least partially enclose the battery10. The battery compartment may further comprise a lid or hatch or cover29, seeFIGS.3BandFIGS.4A-D, partially or fully detachable relative to the battery compartment20, and configured for closing an opening into the enclosed space20′ of battery compartment20. Thereby, the cover29may serve to completely enclose the battery compartment20. The cover29allows replacement of a battery10contained in the compartment. Between the opening into the battery compartment20and the cover29, a gasket (not shown) may be provided in order to make the battery compartment20dust and/or fluid and/or air tight.

In the figures, the cover29is illustrated as being arranged in the side (in an opening through the side wall25) of the battery compartment20. However, in other—not shown—embodiments, the cover may alternative be formed in an end21,22of the battery compartment, such as the second end22.

As mentioned, the battery compartment20is preferably elongate in shape to correspond with the (elongate) shape of the battery10, and having a longitudinal axis from the first end21to the second end22, and which coincides with an elongate axis of the battery10, when the battery10has been inserted into the battery compartment20.

At the first end21of the battery compartment20, a first spring connector50is arranged for forming a contact with the positive terminal14of the battery10, when the battery10has been inserted into the battery compartment20. Correspondingly, at the second end22of the battery compartment20a second spring connector60is arranged for forming a contact with the negative terminal of the battery10, when the battery10has been inserted into the battery compartment20.

The first spring connector50is preferably a leaf spring formed from an electrically conductive material, such as a conductive metal or metal alloy, and formed as a resilient strip. Alternatively, it may be formed in a resilient polymer material having a conductive pattern formed, such as printed, thereon, or being provided with electrically conductive properties in other ways known in the art. However, it will be understood that also types of coil springs may be used. In any case, the first spring connector50is electrically connected or connectable to a positive side of an electrical circuit (not shown) of an electrical device, such as the toy figurine100described above.

The first spring connector50is further formed such that is has an electric contact surface, first electric contact surface54, configured for contacting the positive terminal14of a battery inserted into the battery compartment20.

The first spring connector50is provided with a resilience to maintain a contact of the first electric contact surface54with the positive terminal14of a battery10, when the battery10is inserted into the battery compartment20.

As shown inFIGS.4A-D,5B and7, the first spring connector50may comprise a strip of conductive material bend to allow a resilience of the first spring connector50, and such that the first spring connector50has a contact surface, first electric contact surface54, configured for making contact with a positive terminal14of a battery10inserted into the battery compartment20. InFIGS.5-7, the strip of conductive material is a flat sheet (leaf spring). But, as may be realized fromFIGS.4A-Dand8, the same may be achieved from a type of coil spring, or coiled spring.

The second spring connector60is a spring formed from an electrically conductive material, such as a conductive metal or metal alloy. Alternatively, it may be formed in a resilient polymer material having a conductive pattern formed, such as printed, thereon, or being provided with electrically conductive properties in other ways known in the art. The second spring connector60is electrically connected or connectable to a negative side of an electrical circuit (not shown) of an electrical device, such as the toy figurine100described above.

The second spring connector60is further formed such that is has an electric contact surface, second electric contact surface65, configured for contacting the negative terminal15of a battery inserted into the battery compartment20.

The second spring connector60is further provided with a resilience to maintain a contact between the electric second contact surface65and the negative terminal15of a battery10, when inserted into the battery compartment20.

The second spring connector60may be in the form of a coil spring (not shown), for example formed in a wound wire (cylindrically or conically), and having a longitudinal axis along windings of the spring, where the longitudinal axis of the spring is oriented in the same direction as the longitudinal axis of the battery housing20. In such cases the upper end winding(s) may form an electric contact surface, second electric contact surface65, configured for making contact with a negative terminal14of a battery10.

However, as shown inFIGS.4A-D,5B and7, the second spring connector60may alternatively comprise a strip of conductive material, such as a metal or metal alloy, bend to allow a resilience of the second spring connector60, and such that the second spring connector60has an electric contact surface, second electric contact surface65, configured for making contact with a negative terminal15of a battery10, when the battery10is inserted in the battery compartment20.

The battery compartment20with the first spring connector50and the second spring connector60is formed such that the distance between the first electric contact surface54on the first spring connector50and the second electric contact surface65on the second spring connector60corresponds (is approximately identical) to the distance between the first electric contact surface14′ on the knob18of the battery10and the second electric contact surface19of the battery10intended for insertion in the battery compartment20.

At the first end of the battery compartment20, a battery connection30according to an aspect of the disclosure is provided. The battery connection30comprises a battery-shoulder receiving part40and the first spring connector50referred to above.

The battery-shoulder receiving part40is slidably arranged in the battery compartment20, in the longitudinal direction along the above mentioned longitudinal axis of the battery compartment20, which will be explained in more detail below. Slideable may include linearly translational.

The battery-shoulder receiving part40has a first surface41facing downward or towards the inner battery receiving space20′ of the battery compartment20. The first surface41of the battery-shoulder receiving part40is configured for contacting the first surface16of the battery10.

The battery-shoulder receiving part40further has a second surface42facing upwards or away from the inner battery receiving space20′ of the battery compartment20.

The battery-shoulder receiving part40has a thickness, i.e. it extends a distance in the same direction as the longitudinal axis of the battery compartment20. This thickness or distance is preferably considerably smaller than the length of the space20′ enclosed by the battery compartment20, at least when the battery compartment is configured for a standard type elongate battery such as AAA, AA, or A—type batteries10.

Further an opening/aperture/hole43is provided in—and extending into—the battery-shoulder receiving part40from the first surface41and towards the second surface42. The opening43is configured for receiving the knob18forming the positive terminal14of the battery10. A lower rim44at least partially surrounds the opening43in the battery-shoulder receiving part40. The opening43with the lower rim44is sized and shaped to allow the knob18of a battery10to be inserted therein. Thus, the cross-sectional shape (cross section perpendicular to longitudinal axis of battery compartment20) of the opening43is preferably the same or adapted to receive the knob18of the battery. So if the knob18of the battery is cylindrical, the opening43could be cylindrical, and with a slightly larger diameter.

The first spring connector50is shaped such that it may cooperate with a set of surfaces formed on the battery-shoulder receiving part40, in such a way that the battery-shoulder receiving part40is connected to the first spring connector50, such that the movement of the battery-shoulder receiving part40is controlled by the resilience of the first spring connector50to move with the first spring connector50. Further, the battery-shoulder receiving part40and the first spring connector50are formed such that the first electric contact surface54of the first spring connector50is arranged recessed away from, or above, the lower rim44of the opening43.

Thereby, contact between the positive terminal14of the battery and the first electric contact surface54of the first spring connector50can only be obtained if the battery is correctly inserted into the battery compartment20. This may be appreciated by comparingFIG.4AwithFIGS.4B-D.

InFIG.4A, a battery10is incorrectly inserted into the battery compartment20. In the figure, the battery10is inserted with the knob18forming the positive terminal14of the battery10facing downwards, while the first spring connecter50for connecting to the positive side of the electric circuit is in the upper part of the figure. As can be seen, the positive terminal14is in contact with the second spring connector60, which is connected/connectable to the negative side of the—not shown—electrical circuit. However, the recessed second electric contact surface19at the second end12of the battery is unable to make contact with the first electrical connection surface54on the first connector spring50, at least because the first electrical connection surface54on the first connector spring50is provided recessed behind the lower rim44of the opening43.

Thereby, it is achieved that even if an unskilled user—e.g. a child—inserts a battery incorrectly into the battery compartment20, no electrical contact is made between the battery and the electrical circuit of the electrical device, such as the toy figurine100described above. Thus damage to—or malfunction of—the electronic components of the device/toy figurine100, which may be dependent on correctly oriented DC power, may be avoided.

The first electric contact surface54of the first spring connector50being recessed behind/above the lower rim46of the opening44in the battery-shoulder receiving part40may also be appreciated fromFIG.6, showing a the battery-shoulder receiving part40according to an embodiment of the disclosure is a perspective view from below, or from the battery side of the battery compartment20.

As is evident fromFIG.4D, the first electrical connection surface54on the first connector spring50is recessed relatively to the first surface41and the lower rim44of the opening43of the battery-shoulder receiving part40by a distance slightly less than the height of a knob18of a battery10.

Thereby, when the knob18of the battery is inserted into the opening43of the battery-shoulder receiving part40, the first contact surface14′ on the knob18will always be in contact with the first electrical connection surface54on the first connector spring50, when the first end surface16of the battery is in contact with the first surface41of the battery-shoulder receiving part40as illustrated inFIG.40.

This is shown inFIGS.4B-D, where the battery10—in contrast to the situation shown inFIG.4A, has been correctly inserted. That is, the knob18, forming the positive terminal of the battery10has been oriented upward in the figure, such that it may be brought into contact with the first spring connector50. The second contact surface19, forming the negative terminal15of the battery10is in contact the second spring connector60.

Thereby, the—not shown—electric circuit of the electric device, such as the toy figurine100, may be supplied with electric current of the correct polarity.

The first spring connecter50shown in the figures is formed as elongate strip as discussed above, the first spring connector50having a first end51, and opposed thereto a second end52, and a body53there between. When the first spring connecter50is formed as a sheet of material the body53may be called a flat body. We note that the first spring connecter50may also be formed in thread as a coil spring.

The first end51of the first spring connecter50may extend through a sidewall35of the battery compartment20and connect to or be connectable to a circuit (not shown) as mentioned above. The part of the body53of the first spring connector50extending into the battery compartment20is connected to the battery-shoulder receiving part40and further comprises the above mentioned first contact surface54of the first spring connector50.

In principle the first spring connector may be a straight sheet or thread of material. However, in the embodiments shown—see e.g.FIG.4D, the part of the body53extending into the battery compartment20may comprise a series of bends. In cases where the first spring connecter50is formed in a thread these bends may instead be formed by coils of the thread.

The mentioned bends/coils may increase the flexibility/elasticity of the spring. Further, the bends/coils allows for easier attachment of the first spring connector to the battery-shoulder receiving part40.

In any case the body53may intersect the sidewall orthogonally, and is fixed thereto.

As shown inFIG.4D, the body53may comprise a first bend55(or a coil), which turns the body 180° to have a first portion53′ extending from one sidewall25towards an opposite sidewall25of the battery compartment, and a second portion53″ extending from the first bend55towards the first mentioned sidewall, and parallel to the first portion53′ of the body53. The first bend55(or coil) especially serves to provide increased flexibility, however a sub-portion of the bend (or coil) may support against a surface49′ of the battery-shoulder receiving part40in order to provide a hold there against.

The flat body53may comprise a second bend56(or coil) turning the body53approximately 90° such that the body53has a third portion53″′ which is approximately orthogonal relative to the first and second portions53′,53″. The second bend56(or coil) or a sub-portion thereof may support against another surface49″ of the battery-shoulder receiving part40in order to provide a further hold there against.

As shown, the body53may be provided with a third bend57(or coil), approximately 180°, at the extreme second end52of the first spring connector50. In this case the first electrical contact surface54of the first spring connector50is provided at the bottom of the U-shape of the third bend57. The third bend57(or coil) further cooperates with correspondingly U-shaped surfaces49″′ provided as flanges on inside surfaces of the battery-shoulder receiving part40in order to provide a further hold there against.

In other embodiments other attachment means49than the surfaces49′,49″,49″′ cooperating with the bends55,56,57and the portions53′,53″,53″′ on the first spring connector50may be utilized for attaching the battery-shoulder receiving part40to the first spring connector50. For example, a straight portion of the first spring connector50may be clamped between opposed surfaces provided in of the shoulder receiving part40, or the shoulder receiving part40and the first spring connector may be glued to each other or fastened to each other in other ways.

The shoulder receiving part40further comprises a guide track46formed as an indented portion of an outer sidewall of the shoulder receiving part40between a first peripheral flange47formed at the end of the shoulder receiving part40facing the inner battery receiving space20′ of the battery compartment20, and a second peripheral flange48formed at the end of the shoulder receiving part40facing away from the inner battery receiving space20′ of the battery compartment20.

As shown in e.g.FIG.4DandFIGS.5A-B, the guide track46is configured for cooperating with a guide member26formed e.g. as a flange extending inward into the battery compartment20.

The guide track46has a length in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the battery compartment, defined between a distance between the first and the second peripheral flanges47,48. The flange forming the guide member26further has a thickness, defined in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the battery compartment20.

The length of the guide track46and the thickness of the flange forming the guide member26are coordinated to allow the shoulder receiving part40to move inside and relative to the battery compartment20in the direction defined by the longitudinal axis of the battery compartment20. The movement of the shoulder receiving part40is constricted by abutment of the flange forming the guide member26against the first peripheral flange47in one extreme position shown inFIG.4C, and abutment of the flange forming the guide member26against the second peripheral flange48in another extreme position, as shown inFIG.48.

In not shown embodiments, the flange forming the guide member24, and the guide track46between the first peripheral flange47and the second peripheral flange58, may be reversed between sidewall25of the battery compartment20and the battery-shoulder receiving part40.

As the shoulder receiving part40is connected to the first spring element50, the travel/movement of the shoulder receiving part40relative to the walls of the battery compartment is further limited by the resilience of the first spring element50. In an embodiment, the first spring element50may be biased to force the shoulder receiving part40towards the inner battery receiving space20′ of the battery compartment20.

In another embodiment, the first spring element50may be biased to centre the shoulder receiving part40such that the flange of the guide member26is located at half the length between the first and the second flanges47,48of the shoulder receiving part40when there is no load on the shoulder receiving part40.

When a battery10has been inserted into the inner battery receiving space20′ of the battery compartment20as shown in e.g.FIGS.4B-C, the resilience of the first spring connector50and the second spring connector allows the battery to move relative to the wall of the battery compartment20in the direction defined by the longitudinal axis of the battery compartment20, between the two extreme positions shown inFIG.4BandFIG.4C, respectively, the two extreme positions defined by the first and second peripheral flanges47,48, and the distance there between.

FIG.4Bshows a situation, where the battery compartment20with a battery10correctly inserted, is subjected to an upwardly directed force (relative to the battery compartment as oriented in the figure). This may occur for example if the battery compartment is moved downward towards a surface, and impacts on the surface, stopping the motion relative to the surface. The upward force will cause the battery to temporarily continue its downward motion as indicated by the arrow71until the relative movement is stopped by the flange forming the guide member26abuts the second flange48.

An opposite situation is illustrated inFIG.4C, where an upwardly directed motion of the battery compartment is stopped, causing the inserted battery in temporarily continuing it's upwardly directed motion as indicated by the arrow72, until it is stopped by abutment of the flange forming the guide member26on the first flange47of the shoulder receiving part40.

Thereby, it is secured that—for example when an impact to the electric device in which the battery compartment is arranged (or attached to) occurs—the battery10is allowed to move without the electric terminals14,15of the battery10becoming disconnected from the first contact surface54of the first spring connector50and the second contact surface65of the second spring connector60. Thus, a stable electrical energy supply to an electrical circuit (not shown) of an electrical device, such as the toy figurine100described above, is secured.

FIG.5Bshows a battery compartment20according to an embodiment of the disclosure, without a battery10inserted in the inner battery receiving space20′. FromFIG.58it may be appreciated that the shoulder receiving part40may be biased towards the inner battery receiving space20′ of the battery compartment20when the battery10is not inserted.FIG.5Balso shows an embodiment of a second spring connector60formed by a piece of flexible conductive material bend to provide a resilience.

FIG.5Ashows the same embodiment of the battery compartment20as inFIG.5B, but with a battery10into the inner battery receiving space20′.

In order to ease the insertion of a battery10into the inner battery receiving space20′ of the battery compartment, the first surface41of the shoulder receiving part40may be provided with a ledge45, as shown in e.g.FIG.6, but also illustrated inFIGS.4A-D.

FIG.7shows a battery10and the cooperation with the second spring connector at the second end12(and the negative terminal15) of the battery10, and the cooperating first spring connector50and shoulder receiving part40at the first end11(and the positive terminal14) of the battery10.

FIG.8shows detail of a battery compartment with a battery-shoulder receiving part40configured for receiving a different type of battery, for example an industrial type batteries like an 18650 Lithium cell applicable to use with an industry standard (low cost, high performance), but need a stable electrical connection to the terminals. In In such batteries10, the knob18with the positive terminal14, may not necessarily comprise the furthest extending surface as the end surface16from which the knob18extends may be recesses relative to circumferential shoulder16′ of the battery. In order to accommodate batteries10designed in such a way, the battery-shoulder receiving part40may as shown inFIG.8, be equipped with an inwardly (relative to the battery receiving space20′) extending flange41′ on which the first surface41of the battery-shoulder receiving part40is formed. The battery shoulder receiving part also comprise an opening43comprising a lower rim44, i.e. a rim surrounding the opening in or though the battery shoulder receiving part40Again, the first surface41of the battery-shoulder receiving part40is configured for abutting on the circular and recessed first end surface16of the battery10between the shoulder16′ and the knob18. On other respects, the embodiment shown inFIG.18corresponds to the embodiments described in connection withFIG.4D.

It is to be noted that the figures and the above description have shown the example embodiments in a simple and schematic manner. Many of the specific mechanical details have not been shown since the person skilled in the art should be familiar with these details and they would just unnecessarily complicate this description

LIST OF PARTS

10battery/electrical battery11first end of battery11′ first rim at first end of battery between sidewall and first end surface12second end of battery12′ second rim at second end of battery between sidewall and second end surface13body of battery13′ sidewall of body of battery14positive terminal/pole of battery14′ first contact surface on the battery, forming positive terminal/pole of the battery15negative terminal/pole of battery16first end surface of battery17second end surface of battery18protruding knob forming positive terminal/pole of the battery19second contact surface of battery20battery compartment20′ inner battery receiving space of the battery compartment21first end of battery compartment22second end of battery compartment23(first end wall of battery compartment)24second end wall of battery compartment25sidewall of battery compartment26guide element, guide member for guiding battery-shoulder receiving part29hatch/cover for battery compartment30battery connection40battery-shoulder receiving part41first surface of movable battery-shoulder receiving part42second surface of movable battery-shoulder receiving part43opening formed in movable battery-shoulder receiving part44lower rim, rim surrounding opening though battery shoulder receiving part45ledge of first surface of the battery-shoulder receiving part46guide element, guide track formed in the battery-shoulder receiving part47first peripheral flange of the battery-shoulder receiving part48second peripheral flange of the battery-shoulder receiving part49attachment means49′ surface49″ surface49″′ surface50first spring connector51first end of the first spring connector52second end of the first spring connector53body of the first spring connector extending between the first and second ends54first electric contact surface; electric contact surface of first end spring connector55first bend (or coil) of the body of the first spring connector56second bend (or coil) of the body of the first spring connector57third bend (or coil) of the body of the first spring connector60second spring connector65second electric contact surface; electric contact surface of second end spring connector90toy system100toy figurine101toy figurine first part102housing of toy figurine first part103toy figurine second part, connectable to toy figurine first part110digital screen117head118body119neck/circumferential indentation120arm121hand123eye124nose126mouth127hair relief140connection means, knobs200physical play environment210start marker211one type of marker212another type of marker213marker214end marker221,222,223,224,225,226,227,228toy construction elements of a physical play environment physical play environment300user.