Constructional building set having an electric conductor

Details Constructional building set having an electric conductor Constructional building set having an electric conductor

1997-08-04

1998-12-15

Canfield, Robert

Static structures (e.g., buildings)

Combined

522202, 522203, 446 91, 174 98, 174117R, A63H 3304

Patent

active

058485031

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
The invention concerns a constructional building set of the type defined in the introductory portion of claim 1.
Constructional building sets of this type are well-known, a constructional building set with building elements with rows of coupling studs arranged in modular measures on one side and complementary coupling means on the other side being described in the Danish Patent Specification No. 92 683. The Danish Patent Specification No. 155 205 states how an electric conductor can establish connection between several electric elements incorporated in the building set. The said Danish patent specification discloses a special contact element proof against short-circuit.
The structures disclosed in these patent specifications have been found to be extremely expedient in connection with constructional building sets. However, the electric leads or conductors incorporated in the building set are just fixed to the building set through the use of the contact elements disclosed in the last-mentioned Danish patent specification. The conductors, which are usually relatively rigid, tend to "flap" with respect to the rest of the constructional building set. Functionally, this is rarely a problem, but, on the other hand, there is a wish for removing these flapping leads primarily for aesthetic reasons. In some cases it is also desired to remove the flapping leads for purely technical reasons, since other building elements may get caught by the leads during play and interrupt the electric connection.
WO-A-90/09894 discloses a constructional building set with an electric cable. The cable can be fitted between two rows of coupling studs and has indentations in which the conducting wires of the cable are naked and can make electric contact with conducting coupling studs.
Accordingly, the object of the invention is to provide a constructional building set in which the incorporated electric conductors are secured to a great degree with respect to structures built with the building set.
This object is achieved in that the electric conductors of the constructional building set are constructed with transverse dimensions which are slightly larger than the distance between two coupling studs and the conductor with the electrically conducting wires. The conductor may thus be received between the rows of coupling studs, and its resilient properties ensure that it is secured there by means of friction.
Normally, the conductor is a two-wire lead having an intermediate portion with a longitudinal reduction of its material, which may e.g. be in the form of a centrally extending channel in the longitudinal direction. Alternatively, the reduction may be provided in the form of one or more longitudinal slots or depressions.
Advantageously, the building set may comprise box-shaped elements having vertically extending, open channels in the end walls, since the conductor can thus be received either loosely or frictionally when changing level. Other box-shaped building elements may be formed with recesses in bottom portions of opposed walls, since the building element can then straddle the conductor when coupled to another building element on which the conductor is secured. This type of building elements will preferably be building elements having a width and a length of respectively twice and once the modular measure of the building set, said building element having no internal tube to ensure a three-point coupling as disclosed in the Danish Patent Specification 92 683.
The invention will be explained more fully below in connection with preferred embodiments and with reference to the drawing, in which connection with the constructional building set of the invention; for use in the constructional building set of the invention; for use in connection with a constructional building set of the invention; for use in a constructional building set of the invention; building set of the invention; for use in a constructional building set of the invention; use in a constructional building set of the invention; for use in a constructional building set

REFERENCES:
patent: 3484984 (1969-12-01), Fischer
patent: 4297816 (1981-11-01), Kella et al.
patent: 4933513 (1990-06-01), Lee
patent: 5180890 (1993-01-01), Penergrass et al.
patent: 5400554 (1995-03-01), Lo
patent: 5486654 (1996-01-01), Hanak et al.

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