Power hub for interlocking bricks

Abstract

An integrated power hub with a rotating driveshaft allows for the transformation of interlocking building blocks into a moving model. Blocks may be attached in many different combinations and configurations to any or all of 6 buildable surfaces of the power hub. A motor and a battery may both be safely integrated within the power hub such that the single unit may be used without the need for additional wires. Numbered studs on one or more of the building surfaces may facilitate clear instructions for young users.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A power hub ( 100 ) for use with interlocking bricks, the hub ( 100 ) comprising a housing ( 110 ), the housing ( 110 ) comprising a first half ( 112 ) and a second half ( 114 ) removably coupled to the first half ( 112 ), wherein each half comprises one or more removable faces removably and interchangeably attached to the half, each removable face of the one or more removable faces comprising one or more studs configured to interlock with interlocking bricks, one or more anti-studs configured to interlock with interlocking bricks, one or more recesses, or a combination thereof, wherein each half further comprises one or more fixed faces, each fixed face comprising one or more studs configured to interlock with interlocking bricks, one or more anti-studs configured to interlock with interlocking bricks, one or more recesses, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         2 . The hub ( 100 ) of  claim 1 , wherein each half further comprises one or more holes, wherein each removable face of the one or more removable faces comprises a peg, each peg configured to removably fit into a hole of the one or more holes. 
     
     
         3 . The hub ( 100 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the housing ( 110 ) comprises a rounded cube. 
     
     
         4 . The hub ( 100 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the housing ( 110 ) is configured to define a cavity, the cavity configured to contain one or more electronic components. 
     
     
         5 . A power hub ( 100 ) for use with interlocking bricks, the hub ( 100 ) comprising;
 a. a six-faced housing ( 110 ) comprising a first half ( 112 ) and a second half ( 114 ) removably coupled to the first half ( 112 ), the housing ( 110 ) further comprising:
 i. a first face ( 121 ), removably coupled to a top of the housing ( 110 ), wherein the first face ( 121 ) comprises a plurality of studs configured to interlock with interlocking bricks; 
 ii. a second face ( 122 ), removably coupled to a side of the housing ( 110 ) such that it is perpendicular to the first face ( 121 ), wherein the second face ( 122 ) comprises a control switch ( 150 ); 
 iii. a third face ( 123 ) fixed to the first half ( 112 ) of the housing ( 110 ) such that it is perpendicular to the first face ( 121 ) and the second face ( 122 ), wherein the third face ( 123 ) comprises an internal driveshaft ( 160 ) which is orthogonal to the third face ( 123 ); 
 iv. a fourth face ( 124 ) removably coupled to a side of the housing ( 110 ) such that it is perpendicular to the first face ( 121 ) and the third face ( 123 ), and parallel with the second face ( 122 ); 
 v. a fifth face ( 125 ) removably coupled to a bottom of the housing ( 110 ) such that it is perpendicular to the second face ( 122 ), and the fourth face ( 124 ), and the third face ( 123 ) and parallel with the first face ( 121 ); and 
 vi. a sixth face ( 126 ) fixed to the second half ( 114 ) of the housing ( 110 ) such that it is perpendicular to the second face ( 122 ), the first face ( 121 ), the fourth face ( 124 ), and the fifth face ( 125 ), and parallel with the third face ( 123 ); 
   b. an electric motor ( 130 ), disposed inside the housing ( 110 ) and mechanically coupled with the driveshaft ( 160 ) such that the motor is configured to cause rotation of the driveshaft ( 160 ); and   c. an internal battery ( 140 ), disposed inside the housing ( 110 ) and electrically coupled with the motor such that the battery ( 140 ) is configured to power the motor;   wherein the switch ( 150 ) is electrically coupled with both the motor ( 130 ) and the battery ( 140 ) such that the switch ( 150 ) is configured to control operation of the motor.   
     
     
         6 . The hub ( 100 ) of  claim 5 , wherein the housing ( 110 ) comprises a rounded cube. 
     
     
         7 . The hub ( 100 ) of  claim 5 , wherein the fourth face ( 124 ) comprises a plurality of studs, and the fifth ( 125 ) and sixth face ( 126 ) each comprise a plurality of anti-studs. 
     
     
         8 . The hub ( 100 ) of  claim 5 , wherein:
 a. the first face ( 121 ) comprises 12 studs arranged in a cross pattern;   b. the third face ( 123 ) comprises 4 pin holes arranged surrounding the driveshaft ( 160 );   c. the fourth face ( 124 ) comprises 8 hollow studs arranged in two rows of four and surrounding 3 pin holes, such that the fourth face ( 124 ) is configured to receive both interlocking bricks and pins;   d. the fifth face ( 125 ) comprises 5 anti-studs arranged in a cross pattern; and   e. the sixth face ( 126 ) comprises 5 anti-studs arranged in a cross pattern, surrounded by 4 partial anti-studs.   
     
     
         9 . A power hub ( 100 ) for use with interlocking bricks, the hub ( 100 ) comprising:
 a. a multifaceted housing ( 110 ) comprising a first half ( 112 ) and a second half ( 114 ) removably coupled to the first half ( 112 );   b. one or more faces comprising:
 i. one or more removable faces removably and interchangeably attached to the multifaceted housing ( 110 ), each removable face of the one or more removable faces comprising one or more studs configured to interlock with interlocking bricks, one or more anti-studs configured to interlock with interlocking bricks, one or more recesses, or a combination thereof; and 
 ii. one or more fixed faces, each fixed face comprising one or more studs configured to interlock with interlocking bricks, one or more anti-studs configured to interlock with interlocking bricks, one or more recesses, or a combination thereof; 
   c. a driveshaft ( 160 ) disposed through a face of the one or more faces such that it is orthogonal to the face;   d. an electric motor ( 130 ), disposed within the housing ( 110 ) and mechanically coupled with the driveshaft ( 160 ) such that the motor is configured to cause rotation of the driveshaft ( 160 );   e. an internal battery ( 140 ) disposed inside the housing ( 110 ) and electrically coupled with the motor such that the battery ( 140 ) is configured to power the motor; and   f. a slidable switch ( 150 ) disposed on a face of the housing ( 110 ) and electrically coupled with both the motor and the battery ( 140 ) such that the switch ( 150 ) is configured to control operation of the motor ( 130 );   wherein a switch cap of the switch ( 150 ) comprises one or more studs, hollow studs, or anti-studs configured to interlock with one or more interlocking bricks, thereby allowing the implementation of a switch control system constructed from interlocking bricks.   
     
     
         10 . The hub ( 100 ) of  claim 9  wherein the switch cap comprises at least two studs, hollow studs, or anti-studs. 
     
     
         11 . The hub ( 100 ) of  claim 9 , wherein the switch control system is configured to simultaneously control a plurality of power hubs ( 100 ). 
     
     
         12 . The hub ( 100 ) of  claim 9 , wherein the hub ( 100 ) is configured for cordless operation. 
     
     
         13 . The hub ( 100 ) of  claim 9 , wherein the motor ( 130 ) is a 3-volt motor, configured to rotate at 75 revolutions per minute. 
     
     
         14 . The hub ( 100 ) of  claim 9 , wherein the motor ( 130 ) is configured for bidirectional rotation. 
     
     
         15 . The hub ( 100 ) of  claim 9 , wherein the switch ( 150 ) has three positions, corresponding to no rotation, clockwise rotation, and counter-clockwise rotation. 
     
     
         16 . The hub ( 100 ) of  claim 9 , wherein the housing ( 110 ) has rounded edges. 
     
     
         17 . The hub ( 100 ) of  claim 9 , wherein a face of the one or more faces of the housing ( 110 ) comprises an indicator light. 
     
     
         18 . The hub ( 100 ) of  claim 17 , wherein the indicator light is positioned such that it is visible even when the hub ( 100 ) is interlocked with a plurality of interlocking bricks. 
     
     
         19 . A power hub ( 100 ) for use with interlocking bricks, the hub ( 100 ) comprising:
 a. a multifaceted housing ( 110 ) comprising a first half ( 112 ) and a second half ( 114 ) removably coupled to the first half ( 112 );   b. one or more faces comprising:
 i. one or more removable faces removably and interchangeably attached to the multifaceted housing ( 110 ), each removable face of the one or more removable faces comprising one or more studs configured to interlock with interlocking bricks, one or more anti-studs configured to interlock with interlocking bricks, one or more recesses, or a combination thereof; and 
 ii. one or more fixed faces, each fixed face comprising one or more studs configured to interlock with interlocking bricks, one or more anti-studs configured to interlock with interlocking bricks, one or more recesses, or a combination thereof; 
   c. a driveshaft ( 160 ) disposed through a face of the one or more faces such that it is orthogonal to the face;   d. an electric motor ( 130 ), disposed within the housing ( 110 ) and mechanically coupled with the driveshaft ( 160 ) such that the motor is configured to cause rotation of the driveshaft ( 160 ); and   e. an internal battery ( 140 ) disposed inside the housing ( 110 ) and electrically coupled with the motor such that the battery ( 140 ) is configured to power the motor;   wherein at least one face of the housing ( 110 ) comprises a plurality of sequentially numbered studs.   
     
     
         20 . The hub ( 100 ) of  claim 19 , wherein numbering of the studs corresponds to numbering in building instructions. 
     
     
         21 . The hub ( 100 ) of  claim 19  further comprising a power switch ( 150 ) on a face of the one or more faces of the housing ( 110 ). 
     
     
         22 . The hub ( 100 ) of  claim 19  further comprising a communication module configured to allow for wireless control of the motor ( 130 ). 
     
     
         23 . The hub ( 100 ) of  claim 19 , wherein the driveshaft ( 160 ) is configured to receive an axle such that the axle would extend orthogonally from the face of the housing ( 110 ).