Conductive toy building block

Abstract

The conductive toy building block comprises a body having a top surface and a bottom surface, a plurality of connection studs arranged at equal intervals protruding from the top surface, and an internal cavity opening to the bottom surface, which is sized to accommodate the top surface of another block and to frictionally engage with the connection studs of the other block so as to connect a plurality of blocks. The connection studs comprise non-conductive studs and conductive studs. The conductive connection stud comprises a top portion having an external dimension matching that of the non-conductive stud, and an elongated telescopic member extending downward from the top portion and entering into the cavity. The telescopic member comprises an outer barrel and an inner plunger slidably received in the barrel, and the plunger includes a stopper for preventing the plunger from being completely pulled out of the barrel, and the plunger is biased in a direction extending from the barrel. The telescopic member has a length such that when the plunger extends completely from the barrel, the bottom of the plunger is disposed near the bottom surface within the cavity, and when the block is connected to the top surface of another block, one of the connection studs of the block contacts the bottom of the plunger and pushes the plunger inward.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to children's building block toys, and more particularly to educational electronic building block toys and systems.

Background Art

[0002] Toy building bricks or blocks, and building block sets of toys that include a plurality of such blocks, such as those sold by companies of the LEGO® group, are well known. Other examples of toy building blocks of the type relevant to the present invention are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,005,282 and 6,645,033, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Such toy blocks typically include a hollow box-shaped block having a flat top and a connecting member known as a cylindrical protruding stud that projects from the top. The connecting studs are arranged at equally spaced positions where rows and columns are regularly arranged. The bottom of the block is formed by a downward-facing hollow cavity and includes a connecting member arranged to fit between the studs at the top of the block below, creating a friction connection to the studs along with the sides of the block.

[0003] Toy blocks are surprisingly popular toys for children of all ages. The appeal of these toys comes not only from their ease of assembly and the abundance of different shapes, but also from the countless combinations possible with these blocks. In recent years, the expiration of the basic patents for LEGO® building blocks has led to an increase in the diversity of building block components available on the market as inventors have created many systems that expand on the original intent of these blocks. The new systems include many shapes such as gears, lights, motors, and so on.

[0004] Attempts have been made to create a building block system that allows blocks to effectively and easily conduct electricity through a system, but the need for a simple and easy method for this still remains. Most conventional devices have focused on creating electrically safe blocks with no possibility of short circuits that can be used even by children who do not know the mechanism of electronic devices. In contrast, the present invention creates a more flexible and potential use of electronic conductive building blocks by providing an educational device and system that allows the user to fully control the circuit.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention provides a simplified and modularized contact-type conductive toy building block. The toy building block is of a type that can be interconnected with similarly configured blocks and has a hollow box-shaped structure having a top with a cylindrical stud connecting member and sides that define a downward opening cavity together with the top. In the opening cavity, a cylindrical stud of a block of a similar configuration can be inserted for friction interconnection.

[0006] The toy block of the present invention includes at least one pressing load conductive stud, and the conductive stud extends from the top of the block through the opening cavity to form a pressing connection to the stud inserted inside. A plurality of conductive studs arranged in a regular pattern on one block can be connected by a conductive connector. The conductive connector between the studs can be formed within the plastic or snap-fitted in a predetermined position. The connector can be a simple wire, metal piece, or a circuit board that may or may not include embedded components.

[0007] The present invention provides a completely unique electronic connection system within a building block by utilizing press connections. Moreover, since the system is designed to make only one electrical connection per conductive connection stud, the creation of functional circuits depends on the person connecting the blocks. This is not only for creating complex circuits using the blocks themselves as part of robots or intelligent machines used in the Internet of Things (IoT), but also for teaching the workings of electronic circuits using the blocks.

[0008] In one aspect, the present invention is a conductive toy building block comprising a body having a top surface and a bottom surface, and a plurality of equally spaced connection studs protruding from the top surface. The body defines an internal cavity that opens to the bottom surface and is sized to accommodate the top surface of another block for friction fitting and engage the connection studs of the other block in a manner such that each connection stud frictionally engages within the cavity of an adjacent block, enabling a plurality of blocks to be connected. The connection studs include at least one non-conductive connection stud and at least one conductive connection stud. The conductive connection stud has a top portion having an external dimension that matches the non-conductive connection stud, and an elongated telescoping member that extends downward from the top portion and enters the cavity. The telescoping member has an outer barrel and an inner plunger slidably received within the barrel. The plunger includes a stop member to prevent the plunger from being completely withdrawn from the barrel, and the plunger is biased in a direction extending from the barrel. The telescoping member has a length such that when the plunger is fully extended from the barrel, the bottom of the plunger is disposed near the bottom surface within the cavity, and when the block is connected to the top surface of another block, one of the connection studs of the other block contacts the bottom of the plunger and pushes the plunger inward.

[0009] In some embodiments, the toy building block may further include a spring connected to the plunger and biasing the plunger in a direction extending from the barrel.

[0010] In some embodiments, the toy building block may further include a coil spring disposed within the telescoping member and connected to the plunger to bias the plunger in a direction extending from the barrel.

[0011] In some embodiments, the toy building block may include at least two conductive connection studs.

[0012] In some embodiments, the toy building block may further include a conductive element connecting at least two conductive connection studs.

[0013] In some embodiments, the conductive connection stud may include a ring portion extending around the telescoping member near the top portion of the conductive connection stud, an annular channel is defined between the ring portion and the top portion, and the annular channel is disposed within the cavity.

[0014] In some embodiments, the conductive element is received within the annular channels of at least two conductive connection studs.

[0015] In some embodiments, the conductive element may include an integrated circuit board having an electrical circuit connecting at least two conductive connection studs.

[0016] In some embodiments, the integrated circuit board is received within the annular channels of at least two conductive connection studs.

[0017] In another aspect, the present invention provides a conductive toy building block comprising an external body having a top wall and side walls, wherein the top wall defines a top surface, the side walls define a bottom edge, and the top wall and the side walls delimit a cavity; a plurality of non-conductive connection studs disposed at equal intervals on the top surface and protruding from the top surface; a plurality of holes in the top wall disposed at equal intervals from adjacent non-conductive connection studs; a plurality of conductive connection studs within the cavity, each conductive connection stud of the plurality of conductive connection studs having a top portion protruding through one of the plurality of holes, the top portion having an outer dimension that matches the non-conductive connection stud, each conductive connection stud of the plurality of conductive connection studs further having an elongated telescoping member extending downward from the top portion within the cavity, the telescoping member having an outer barrel and an inner plunger slidably received within the barrel, the plunger including a stop member to prevent the plunger from being completely withdrawn from the barrel, the plunger being biased in a direction extending from the barrel, the telescoping member having a length such that when the plunger extends completely from the barrel, the bottom of the plunger is disposed near the bottom surface defined by the bottom edge within the cavity; a conductive element adjacent to the top wall within the cavity, the conductive element providing an electrical circuit between at least two of the plurality of conductive connection studs; and an internal member adjacent to the conductive element within the cavity, the internal member having equally spaced protrusions extending into the cavity, the equally spaced protrusions defining at least a portion of a plurality of engagement portions within the cavity, the engagement portions being configured to frictionally engage with connection studs of another block to connect a plurality of blocks in a manner such that each connection stud frictionally engages within the cavity of an adjacent block. The conductive toy building block is provided such that when the block is connected to the top surface of another block, the bottom of the plunger is pushed inward by contact with the conductive connection stud of the other block.

[0018] In some embodiments, the conductive toy building block may further include a spring connected to the plunger and biasing the plunger in a direction extending from the barrel.

[0019] In some embodiments, the conductive toy building block may further include a coil spring disposed within the telescoping member and connected to the plunger to bias the plunger in a direction extending from the barrel.

[0020] In some embodiments, the conductive toy building block may further include a clip mechanism that cooperates with the outer body and the inner member to secure the second inner member to the outer body within the cavity.

[0021] In some embodiments, the mechanism may include a retaining portion on a sidewall within the first cavity that captures the inner member when the inner member is pushed into the first cavity.

[0022] In another aspect, the present invention is a conductive toy building block, comprising a top portion having a top wall and a first side wall, wherein the top wall defines a top surface, the first side wall defines a first bottom edge, and the top wall and the first side wall delimit a first cavity for receiving electronic components; a bottom portion having a second side wall defining a top edge and a second bottom edge, wherein the second side wall delimits a second cavity; the bottom portion is connected to the top portion in such a manner that the first side wall is aligned with the second side wall to create an integral block; a plurality of non-conductive connection studs arranged at equal intervals on the top surface and protruding from the top surface; a plurality of holes in the top wall arranged at equal intervals from adjacent non-conductive connection studs; a plurality of conductive connection studs in the cavity, each conductive connection stud of the plurality of conductive connection studs having a top portion protruding through one of the plurality of holes, the top portion having an outer dimension matching that of the non-conductive connection stud, each conductive connection stud of the plurality of conductive connection studs further having an elongated telescopic member extending downward from the top portion within the first cavity and the second cavity, the telescopic member having an outer barrel and an inner plunger slidably received within the barrel, the plunger including a stop member for preventing the plunger from being completely withdrawn from the barrel, the plunger being biased to extend from the barrel, the telescopic member having a length such that when the plunger extends completely from the barrel, the bottom of the plunger is disposed near the bottom surface defined by the second bottom edge within the second cavity; the second cavity having equally spaced protrusions extending into the cavity, the equally spaced protrusions defining at least a portion of a plurality of engagement portions in the cavity, the engagement portions being capable of frictionally engaging with connection studs of other blocks for frictionally connecting a plurality of blocks in such a manner that each connection stud frictionally engages within the cavity of an adjacent block, and when the block is connected to the top surface of another block, the bottom of the plunger is pushed inward by contact with the conductive connection stud of the other blockProvide a conductive toy building block.

[0023] In some embodiments, the conductive toy building block may further include a spring connected to the plunger and biasing the plunger in a direction extending from the barrel.

[0024] In some embodiments, the conductive toy building block may further include a coil spring disposed within the telescoping member and connected to the plunger to bias the plunger in a direction extending from the barrel.

[0025] In some embodiments, the conductive toy building block may further include a clip mechanism that cooperates with the top portion and the bottom portion to fix the top portion to the bottom portion.

[0026] In some embodiments, the clip mechanism may include a retaining portion extending from a first bottom edge and a complementary and aligned gap on a second side wall that captures the retaining portion when the bottom portion is pressed against and abuts the top portion.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0027] To better understand the present invention and more clearly show how the present invention can be implemented and achieve its effects, the accompanying drawings are referred to as examples.

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[0028] Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of a conductive toy building block 102 according to the present invention is shown. The block 102 is the simplest embodiment of a conductive toy building block and defines one electrical connector consisting of a conductive connection stud or press stud 101. The press stud 101 includes a top portion such as a cylindrical top 104 that extends above the top surface 126 of the block 102. The block body 120 defines a lower internal cavity 122 that opens to the bottom surface 124 and is sized to receive and frictionally engage the top 104 of the press stud 101 of another block 102, such that each top 104 of the press stud 101 can connect a plurality of blocks 102 in a manner that frictionally engages within the cavity 122 of the block 120 adjacent above.

[0029] Each pressing stud 101 may be made of a conductive material such as copper, or may be covered with a conductive material such as gold-plated nickel, whereby the pressing stud 101 conducts electricity along its length. Referring to FIG. 2, each pressing stud 101 includes a cylindrical top 104, which fits inside a standard building block such as a building block known as LEGO® and is configured to stay in place by friction. Thereby, the conductive building blocks of the present invention can be used to connect to such standard building blocks and impart conductivity to structures mainly made of standard building blocks. The pressing stud 101 includes an elongated telescoping member or pressing pin 128 that extends downward from the central axis of the bottom surface of the top 104. The pressing pin includes an inner lower plunger 109 that is slidably received within an outer barrel 108 and includes a stop 132 that limits the length of the pressing pin 128 and prevents the plunger from being completely withdrawn from the outer barrel. A coil spring 107 within the pressing pin 128 provides spring biasing, and by pushing the plunger 109 so that it extends from the barrel 108 until it engages the stop 132, the pressing pin 128 is pushed to its longest configuration. By the spring 107, the plunger 109 can be pushed into the barrel 108, making it possible to shorten the length of the pressing pin.

[0030] When the pressing stud 101 is operably attached within the block 102, the pressing pin 128 is disposed within the internal cavity 122 and preferably extends slightly in front of the plane defined by the bottom surface 124. Thus, the length of the pressing stud 101 is such that when the two conductive building blocks 102 of the present invention are connected to each other, the top 104 of the lower block is pressed against the plunger 109 of the upper block, and the pressing studs 101 of both are electrically connected. In some embodiments, the pressing stud may include a circumferential flange 105 that extends beyond the peripheral edge of the top adjacent to the bottom of the top 104. The flange 105 may hold the stud 101 within the plastic block 102 and may also define a channel 134 together with a ring portion 106 that may be provided at a remote position below the flange 105.

[0031] Although a spring is shown, it is also possible to use liquids and gases under pressure, as well as naturally compressed substances, to create a biasing pressure that pushes the plunger 109 outside the barrel 108.

[0032] Referring to FIG. 3, another embodiment of the conductive block of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the block 102 is square with a row of four cylindrical connection studs protruding from the top surface, and the connection studs at each end are provided by the top 104 of the pressing stud 101, and the intermediate connection studs 121 are non-conductive and consist of plastic cylindrical protrusions known in prior art blocks such as LEGO®. Thus, in the embodiment shown, the two outer connection studs are conductive (pressing studs 101), while the two studs between them are non-conductive.

[0033] The total number of studs can be different in both the number of studs in a row and the number of rows of studs. For example, the block can be two studs wide and three studs long, or it can be a block with one stud. At least, as shown in FIG. 1, one stud must be conductive.

[0034] Also shown in FIG. 3 is a conductive element that creates an electrical connection between two conductive pressing studs 101 within the block. A plurality of pressing studs 101 may be connected by a conductor 103. For example, in some embodiments, the conductor 103 may be received within a channel 134 defined by a ring 106 and a flange 105, as shown in FIGS. 3 - 5. In other embodiments, the pressing stud may simply be received within a hole provided in the conductor 103. In some embodiments, the pressing studs 101 can be connected by a PCB substrate 113 having circuitry, as shown in FIG. 6. The PCB substrate 113 may or may not include additional electronic components 114. For example, FIG. 7 shows a longitudinal cross - section of a four - pin block, showing the pressing studs 101 being connected by a PCB substrate 113 within the injection - molded block body.

[0035] The pressing studs 101 may be formed in the building block body as part of an injection - molding process of a thermoplastic material for assembling the body of the block. Alternatively, in embodiments where one block is made of two parts, as shown in FIG. 8, the pressing studs 101 may be inserted during the assembly of the individual blocks and then snap - fitted together. This assembly is shown in FIG. 8, where the pressing studs 101 are slid into an internal member such as a pre - formed thermoplastic block 110 with conductive connector inserts 111, then inserted into an external body 117 that defines the top of the block and snap - fitted into place with a clip mechanism such as a small clip 112, setting the walls of the external body 117. The top portion of the pressing pin 101 projects through a hole 123 in the top wall 125 of the external body 117. The external body 117 has side walls 127 that define a bottom edge 129 and separate a cavity. FIG. 9 shows a cross - section through two blocks finally snap - fitted together. FIGS. 14 and 15 show other embodiments of the clip mechanism, which includes a retaining portion 112a that mates with complementary recesses 112b to be captured.

[0036] The number of pressing studs 101 may be variable and may depend on the purpose of the block and is not limited, but includes blocks having only one stud (see FIG. 1), two studs (see FIG. 3), and four studs (see FIG. 10). Any number of pressing studs may be connected within the injection molding block on the conductor 103 (see FIG. 11), or may not be connected at all within the pressing molding block (see FIG. 12), in which case the connection between the studs may be a snap fit at a predetermined position of the PCB substrate 113 (see FIG. 13), and the PCB substrate 113 may or may not include the electrical component 114 and may include a circuit. In this case, the PCB substrate will be connected to the body of the pin using the circular conductive connector 116. The purpose of the pin in one block, or the block where the pin is not connected, is to extend the current between the top and bottom of the block without passing the current through the block to other pins. In a block provided with a conductive connector provided inside, it is possible to flow the current vertically from the top to the bottom of the block (or vice versa), or horizontally along the block. Thereby, any combination of three-dimensional circuits can be created using a set of blocks.

[0037] As described above, the method and structure for electrically connecting the stud 101 can vary depending on the embodiment. For example, if the electrical connector is not cast in place within the block, it can be realized by a PCB board connected to one of the studs at each end (Figure 6), a PCB board connected to a plurality of conductive studs (Figure 11), or a PCB board connected via a snap at a predetermined position (Figure 13). The main element of the conductive stud (Figure 2) is a plunger 109 pressurized or biased by a spring, and the plunger 109 is electrically connected to and forms part of the stud. This creates an additional electrical connection from the top to the bottom of the block. This may or may not be connected to other studs attached below. In a preferred embodiment, current flows from one stud to another and from the top to the bottom of each stud, enabling multiple configurations in the circuit formed by these blocks, or simply flowing current between two blocks like a wire made of plastic toy building blocks (Figure 16).

[0038] The pressing stud 101 may be used within a component (see FIGS. 14 and 15) to create a conductive path to devices or electronic components such as a motor 115, a battery, and a servo motor. Devices such as motors, batteries, and servo motors may be housed, particularly within a custom injection molded body that holds them, allowing the pressing stud 101 to extend from the top or bottom of the block. The block in the illustrated embodiment includes a top portion 142 having a top wall 126 and a first side wall 146, the top wall defining a top surface 126, the first side wall defining a first bottom edge 148, and the top wall and the first side wall partitioning a first cavity 150 for receiving an electronic component. The block further includes a bottom portion 152 having a second side wall 154 defining a top edge 156 and a second bottom edge 158, the second side wall partitioning a second cavity 160. The bottom portion is connected to the top portion in such a manner that the first side wall 146 aligns with the second side wall 154 to create a one-piece block. The top portion and the bottom portion may preferably be fixed to each other by a clip mechanism such as a latching portion 112a on the first bottom edge 148, the latching portion 112a being fitted and captured with a complementary recess or void 112b on the second side wall 154. The bottom portion includes a second cavity 160 having equally spaced protrusions 162 extending into the second cavity 160, the equally spaced protrusions defining engaging portions within the first cavity, the engaging portions frictionally engaging connection studs of another block such that the connection studs are frictionally engaged within the second cavity of an adjacent block, thereby allowing a plurality of blocks to be connected. Thus, the custom injection molded body of these components may also include a standard stud protruding from the top and a bottom cavity intended to connect to other blocks. As noted, the pressing stud will be conductive throughout. In addition to connection to components, these studs may be connected to a circular connector 116 - type circuit board as shown in FIG. 18 and engaged with the connector by mechanical means (soldering), or may be connected to a circuit board as shown in FIG. 6 and adapted to engage the connector by friction.

[0039] Examples of the roles that the conductive building blocks of the present invention can play are shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. The electronic conductive connections are shown as a hatching pattern, and a circuit diagram is shown under each unit using the world standard drafting method. The example at the top of the embodiment of block 102 (FIG. 16) can be snap-fitted to the top and bottom of the same piece, but is offset so as to be attached to conductive studs at the opposite ends of each block. By repeating this, current can flow from block to block. Shown in FIG. 17 are two blocks 102 connected by a circular connector-compatible circuit board 170. The current in this figure flows into the circular connector-compatible circuit board 170 through the blocks and then into the next block through the circular connector-compatible circuit board 170. FIG. 18 shows a possible circular connector-compatible circuit board. In this case, it is a PCB board with a circuit that connects from one hole to a resistor, then to an LED, and finally to the remaining hole.

[0040] In FIG. 19, the entire circuit using block 102 and the circular connector-compatible circuit board 170 is shown. The elements are labeled with the symbols of the circuit diagram, and the circuit itself is drawn below. From six blocks 102, two circular connector-compatible circuit boards, and sufficient current, a very interesting circuit can be built. In the case of FIG. 19, one of the circular connector-compatible circuit boards 170 is connected to a battery 172 such as a 9-volt battery, and the battery 172 creates the current necessary to operate the circuit. There is no limit to the types of possible circular connector-compatible circuit boards 170, and it includes not only all those shown so far, but also, for example, just to mention a few, microcontrollers and any components used to drive them, engine controllers and any components used to drive them, switches, sensors, and potentiometers. The circular connector-compatible circuit board 170 includes at least two circular conductive holes set in the same position and pattern as the studs in the building block system, but there is no limit to how many holes can be in any one board.

[0041] The embodiments described and illustrated in this document provide non-limiting examples of possible implementations of the present invention. Upon consideration of this disclosure, those skilled in the art will recognize that modifications can be made to the embodiments described and illustrated herein without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A conductive toy building block, a. A main body having a top surface and a bottom surface, and a plurality of connection studs arranged at equal intervals protruding from the top surface; b. The main body is an internal cavity opening to the bottom surface, sized to accommodate the top surface of another block for friction fitting and frictionally engage with the connection studs of the other block, and to connect a plurality of blocks in such a manner that each connection stud is frictionally engaged within the cavity of an adjacent block, defining an internal cavity; c. The connection studs include at least one non-conductive connection stud and at least one conductive connection stud; d. The conductive connection stud i. A top portion having an external dimension matching that of the non-conductive connection stud; ii. An elongated telescopic member extending downward from the top portion and entering the cavity, the telescopic member having an outer barrel and an inner plunger slidably received within the barrel, the plunger including a stop member to prevent the plunger from being completely withdrawn from the barrel, the plunger being biased in a direction extending from the barrel; and iii. The telescopic member has a length such that when the plunger is fully extended from the barrel, the bottom of the plunger is disposed near the bottom surface within the cavity, and when the block is connected to the top surface of another block, one of the connection studs of the other block contacts the bottom of the plunger and pushes the plunger inward. A conductive toy building block.

2. The conductive toy building block according to claim 1, further comprising a spring connected to the plunger to bias the plunger in a direction extending from the barrel.

3. The conductive toy building block according to claim 1, further comprising a coil spring disposed within the telescopic member and connected to the plunger to bias the plunger in a direction extending from the barrel.

4. The conductive toy building block according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising at least two conductive connection studs.

5. The conductive toy building block according to claim 4, further comprising a conductive element connecting the at least two conductive connection studs.

6. The conductive toy building block according to claim 5, wherein the conductive element comprises an integrated circuit board having an electrical circuit connecting the at least two conductive connection studs.

7. A conductive toy building block, a. An external body having a top wall and side walls, the top wall defining a top surface, the side walls defining a bottom edge, and the top wall and the side walls delimiting a cavity; b. A plurality of non-conductive connection studs arranged at equal intervals on the top surface and protruding from the top surface, and a plurality of holes in the top wall arranged at equal intervals from adjacent non-conductive connection studs of the plurality of non-conductive connection studs; c. A plurality of conductive connection studs within the cavity, each conductive connection stud of the plurality of conductive connection studs having a top portion that protrudes through one of the plurality of holes, the top portion having an outer dimension that matches the non-conductive connection stud, each conductive connection stud of the plurality of conductive connection studs further having an elongate telescoping member that extends downward from the top portion within the cavity, the telescoping member having an outer barrel and an inner plunger slidably received within the barrel, the plunger including a stop member to prevent the plunger from being completely withdrawn from the barrel, the plunger being biased in a direction extending from the barrel, the telescoping member having a length such that when the plunger is fully extended from the barrel, the bottom of the plunger is disposed near the bottom surface defined by the bottom edge within the cavity, a plurality of conductive connection studs; d. A conductive element adjacent to the top wall within the cavity, the conductive element providing an electrical circuit between at least two of the plurality of conductive connection studs, a conductive element; e. An internal member adjacent to the conductive element within the cavity, the internal member having equally spaced protrusions that extend into the cavity, the equally spaced protrusions defining at least a portion of a plurality of engagement portions within the cavity, the engagement portions frictionally engaging with connection studs of other blocks for a friction fit and enabling a plurality of blocks to be connected in a manner such that each connection stud frictionally engages within the cavity of an adjacent block, an internal member; comprising; f. When the block is connected to the top surface of another block, the bottom of the plunger is pushed inward by contact with the conductive connection stud of the other block. A conductive toy building block.

8. The conductive toy building block according to claim 7, further comprising a spring connected to the plunger and biasing the plunger in a direction extending from the barrel.

9. The conductive toy building block according to claim 7, further comprising a coil spring disposed within the telescopic member and connected to the plunger to bias the plunger in a direction extending from the barrel.

10. The conductive toy building block according to any one of claims 7 to 9, further comprising a clip mechanism that cooperates with the external body and the internal member to fix the internal member to the external body within the cavity.

11. The conductive toy building block according to claim 10, wherein the clip mechanism includes a retaining portion that captures the internal member when the internal member is pushed into the first cavity on a side wall within the first cavity.

12. A conductive toy building block, comprising: a. A top portion having a top wall and a first side wall, wherein the top wall defines a top surface, the first side wall defines a first bottom edge, and the top wall and the first side wall delimit a first cavity for receiving electronic components; b. A bottom portion having a second side wall that defines a top edge and a second bottom edge, wherein the second side wall delimits a second cavity; Comprising: c. The bottom portion is connected to the top portion in such a manner that the top edge abuts the first bottom edge and the first side wall is aligned with the second side wall to create an integral block. d. A plurality of non-conductive connection studs disposed at equal intervals on the top surface and protruding from the top surface, and a plurality of holes in the top wall disposed at equal intervals from adjacent non-conductive connection studs of the non-conductive connection studs; e. A plurality of conductive connection studs within the cavity, each conductive connection stud of the plurality of conductive connection studs having a top portion protruding through one of the plurality of holes, the top portion having an outer dimension that matches the non-conductive connection stud, each conductive connection stud of the plurality of conductive connection studs further having an elongate telescoping member extending downward from the top portion within the first cavity and the second cavity, the telescoping member having an outer barrel and an inner plunger slidably received within the barrel, the plunger including a stop member for preventing the plunger from being completely withdrawn from the barrel, the plunger being biased to extend from the barrel, the telescoping member having a length such that when the plunger is fully extended from the barrel, the bottom of the plunger is disposed near the bottom surface defined by the second bottom edge within the second cavity, a plurality of conductive studs; provided with; f. The second cavity has equally spaced protrusions extending into the cavity, the equally spaced protrusions defining at least a portion of a plurality of engagement portions within the cavity, the engagement portions frictionally engaging with connection studs of other blocks for friction fitting and capable of connecting a plurality of blocks in such a manner that each connection stud frictionally engages within the cavity of an adjacent block, and g. When the block is connected to the top surface of another block, the bottom of the plunger is pushed inward by contact with the conductive connection stud of the other block. A conductive toy building block.

13. The conductive toy building block according to claim 12, further comprising a spring connected to the plunger and biasing the plunger in a direction to extend from the barrel.

14. The conductive toy building block according to claim 12, further comprising a coil spring within the telescoping member, connected to the plunger and biasing the plunger in a direction to extend from the barrel.

15. The conductive toy building block according to any one of claims 12 to 14, further comprising a clip mechanism that cooperates with the top portion and the bottom portion to fix the top portion to the bottom portion. **Claim 16** The conductive toy building block according to claim 15, wherein the clip mechanism comprises a retaining portion extending from the first bottom edge and a complementary aligned void on the second side wall, the void capturing the retaining portion when the bottom portion is pressed against and abuts the top portion.

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