Patents by Inventor Erik Bach

Erik Bach has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10682581
    Abstract: A toy building element comprising primary coupling means that extend from a top wall and comprise a cavity that contains secondary coupling means that are configured for being able to cooperate frictionally with the primary coupling means on a neighbouring element in a number of friction areas. According to the invention there are also primary locking means that are situated at the end of notches in the primary coupling means, wherein the locking means are configured for snap-lockingly engaging with secondary locking means in the cavity of a neighbouring element in same locking areas that are situated outside said friction areas, in which the secondary locking means are elastically resilient in directions in parallel with the top wall of the building element and are substantially elastically relieved in an interconnected position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: OCTAVIO APS
    Inventors: Erik Bach, Flemming Wittrup
  • Patent number: 10596479
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of generating a digital representation of a user-defined construction element connectable to pre-manufactured toy construction elements of a toy construction system, each pre-manufactured toy construction element comprising a number of coupling elements for coupling the pre-manufactured toy construction element with one or more other pre-manufactured toy construction elements of said toy construction system, the method comprising determining one or more positions for placement of one or more coupling elements to be included in the user-defined construction element; generating, responsive to input by a user indicative of a user-defined shape, a digital representation of a user-defined construction element, the user-defined construction element comprising said one or more coupling elements at said determined one or more positions; providing the digital representation for automated production of said user-defined construction element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: LEGO A/S
    Inventors: Erik Bach, Thomas Gjørup
  • Publication number: 20190184302
    Abstract: A toy building element comprising primary coupling means that extend from a top wall and comprise a cavity that contains secondary coupling means that are configured for being able to cooperate frictionally with the primary coupling means on a neighbouring element in a number of friction areas. According to the invention there are also primary locking means that are situated at the end of notches in the primary coupling means, wherein the locking means are configured for snap-lockingly engaging with secondary locking means in the cavity of a neighbouring element in same locking areas that are situated outside said friction areas, in which the secondary locking means are elastically resilient in directions in parallel with the top wall of the building element and are substantially elastically relieved in an interconnected position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Inventors: Erik BACH, Flemming WITTRUP
  • Publication number: 20180290070
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of generating a digital representation of a user-defined construction element connectable to pre-manufactured toy construction elements of a toy construction system, each pre-manufactured toy construction element comprising a number of coupling elements for coupling the pre-manufactured toy construction element with one or more other pre-manufactured toy construction elements of said toy construction system, the method comprising determining one or more positions for placement of one or more coupling elements to be included in the user-defined construction element; generating, responsive to input by a user indicative of a user-defined shape, a digital representation of a user-defined construction element, the user-defined construction element comprising said one or more coupling elements at said determined one or more positions; providing the digital representation for automated production of said user-defined construction element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Erik BACH, Thomas GJØRUP
  • Patent number: 10016694
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of generating a digital representation of a user-defined construction element connectable to pre-manufactured toy construction elements of a toy construction system, each pre-manufactured toy construction element comprising a number of coupling elements for coupling the pre-manufactured toy construction element with one or more other pre-manufactured toy construction elements of said toy construction system, the method comprising determining one or more positions for placement of one or more coupling elements to be included in the user-defined construction element; generating, responsive to input by a user indicative of a user-defined shape, a digital representation of a user-defined construction element, the user-defined construction element comprising said one or more coupling elements at said determined one or more positions; providing the digital representation for automated production of said user-defined construction element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: LEGO A/S
    Inventors: Erik Bach, Thomas Gjørup
  • Publication number: 20140244018
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of generating a digital representation of a user-defined construction element connectable to pre-manufactured toy construction elements of a toy construction system, each pre-manufactured toy construction element comprising a number of coupling elements for coupling the pre-manufactured toy construction element with one or more other pre-manufactured toy construction elements of said toy construction system, the method comprising determining one or more positions for placement of one or more coupling elements to be included in the user-defined construction element; generating, responsive to input by a user indicative of a user-defined shape, a digital representation of a user-defined construction element, the user-defined construction element comprising said one or more coupling elements at said determined one or more positions; providing the digital representation for automated production of said user-defined construction element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2012
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: LEGO A/S
    Inventors: Erik Bach, Thomas Gjørup
  • Publication number: 20060252340
    Abstract: A building set comprising building elements with coupling means for interconnection of building elements, wherein the building set comprises a vibrator building element with a device for generating vibrations and with coupling means for interconnection with the remaining building elements of the building set, wherein the coupling means are the only interface for outputting generated vibrations. The building set also comprises a sensor building element, and by the building set structures can be built for illustrating the propagation of vibrations through solid structures. Thus, the building set can be used both as a toy and for teaching purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2003
    Publication date: November 9, 2006
    Inventors: Erik Bach, Kaj Svejstrup
  • Patent number: 6736691
    Abstract: A toy building set comprising box-shaped building elements that have, in the horizontal plane, dimensions that are integer multiples of a horizontal module (L), and, in the vertical direction, a height (H) which exceeds the horizontal module. The building elements have a tubular opening at a first face. Elements are provided that have a tenon that can be introduced into the tubular opening. At its free end, the tenon is flexible and has protruding edges (23) for snap-effect with the second end of the tubular opening, and the tenon has a protruding portion (21) that serves to ensure that the tenon can be introduced only so deeply into the tubular as corresponds to the horizontal module (L). The building set comprises building elements (30) with coupling studs (31) on the top face and a cavity (32) with a tubular coupling means (33), whereby two such elements are able to interconnect with coupling studs (31) in contact with the sides of the cavity (32) and the tubular member (33).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Interlego AG
    Inventor: Erik Bach
  • Patent number: 6554676
    Abstract: A toy building set of building elements (10, 30) having coupling studs (15) and cavities (34) to receive coupling studs (15) in frictional engagement. The cavity (34) accommodates guide means (37) which are adapted to contact coupling studs (15) with a lower friction, and which thereby preferably have a guiding function. This ensures that small and large toy building elements may be built together with a desired coupling force and with a desired friction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Interlego AG
    Inventor: Erik Bach
  • Patent number: 6508689
    Abstract: A toy building set comprising a plurality of building elements which each are provided with hinge parts, first and second types of hinge parts being shaped complementarily in such a manner that the hinge parts on two building elements may be interconnected releasably so that they form a hinge link between the building elements. The first type of hinge parts is provided with a toothing arranged at a specific distance from the common hinge axis, and the second type of hinge parts comprises a first group which is provided with a toothing arranged at the specific distance from the common hinge axis and a second group of hinge parts which is not provided with such a toothing, said toothings on the first type of hinge parts and on the first group of the second type of hinge parts being directed oppositely to each other in such a manner that they engage each other when the hinge parts are interconnected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Interlego AG
    Inventors: Kaj S. Mikkelsen, Hans Damgård Nielsen, Kim Pagel, Carsten Røn, Erik Fuglsang, Erik Bach
  • Patent number: 6447358
    Abstract: A toy building set comprising a plurality of building elements which each are provided with hinge parts, a first type of hinge parts comprising a substantially cylindrical rod-shaped shaft part of a building element, a second type of hinge parts comprising a claw device consisting of two elastic fingers extending outwards from a building element at a distance from each other, so that the two elastic fingers between them form a track which is narrowed at the distal end of the fingers with respect to the building element, so that the rod-shaped shaft part may be pressed into the track through the narrowed part of the track, said hinge parts additionally comprising a third type of hinge parts being provided with a shaft stud which has an external diameter corresponding to the thickness of the rod-shaped shaft part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Interlego AG
    Inventors: Kaj S. Mikkelsen, Hans Damgård Nielsen, Kim Pagel, Carsten RØN, Erik Fuglsang, Erik Bach
  • Patent number: 6261147
    Abstract: A toy building, such as a doll's house with associated fittings (8), said toy building comprising a bracing structure (1) and a number of substantially planar wall elements (5), and wherein the bracing structure (1) and the wall elements (5) are provided with coupling means (6,7) for releasably receiving the wall elements (5) in the bracing structure (1) of the toy building, and wherein the wall elements (5) and the fittings (8) are provided with complementary coupling means (9,10) intended for mounting of the fittings (8) on the wall elements (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: INTERLEGO AG
    Inventors: Erik Bach, Kaj Svejstrup Mikkelsen, Carsten Peter Michaelsen, Philip Marshall Kushner
  • Patent number: 5961364
    Abstract: A building set for a toy building comprising a number of building module frames (1,1a,1b,2) and a plurality of fittings (10,17,18), and wherein each of the building module frames (1,1a,1b,2) comprises a bottom plate (3,4,19) with a superstructure that defines the walls and ceiling of the building module frame (1,1a,1b,2), and wherein each bottom plate (3,4,19) is provided with coupling means (12) for interconnecting adjoining building module frames (1,1a,1b,2). By arranging the coupling means (12) on the top surface of the bottom plate (3,4,19) and by arranging the coupling means (12) to be releasably interconnected with complementary coupling means (11) on the underside of the fittings (10,17,18), a stable and secure coupling is obtained that possesses much holding force without much force being required to interconnect the building module frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: INTERLEGO AG
    Inventors: Erik Bach, Kaj Svejstrup Mikkelsen, Carsten Peter Michaelsen, Philip Marshall Kushner
  • Patent number: 5910037
    Abstract: A toy building system for the construction of e.g. in-door settings and furniture element groupings, comprising a number of substantially box-shaped fittings (1,2,3) with a top surface, a bottom surface and a number of lateral walls, comprising a front with furniture-like functional parts, such as doors, shelves, etc., and a back (4) with coupling means (5,6) and wherein each fitting (1,2,3) has at least two functionally identical coupling means (5,6), said coupling means (5,6) comprising coupling means (5) that protrude a distance from the back (4) of the fitting (1,2,3), and wherein the coupling means (5,6) are arranged at a mutual modular distance and provided in such a manner that the fittings (1,2,3) may be interconnected back (4) to back (4) in at least two different positions relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignee: INTERLEGO AG
    Inventors: Erik Bach, Kaj Svejstrup Mikkelsen, Carsten Peter Michaelsen, Philip Marshall Kushner
  • Patent number: 5876261
    Abstract: A building set for a toy building comprising a number of building modules (1) which each defines a space, said building modules (1) being so designed that they may be stacked or arranged next to each other as desired for the construction of single- or multi-storey toy buildings, and having means (6,7) for releasably engaging with one or more wall elements (5) in the sides of the building modules (1) irrespectively of the mutual positioning of the building modules (1). Since the columns (3) support girders (4) which define the periphery of the top plane of the building modules, said girders (4) being so arranged that unimpeded access to the building module interior (1) is provided, it is now possible to construct toy buildings with more different plan arrangements compared to the prior art without impeding the access to the building module interiors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: INTERLEGO AG
    Inventors: Erik Bach, Kaj Svejstrup Mikkelsen, Carsten Peter Michaelsen, Philip Marshall Kushner
  • Patent number: 5848503
    Abstract: A constructional building set has a plurality of building elements (1) with rows of coupling studs (2) arranged in modular measures (M) on one side and complementary coupling means on another side. Also included is an electric conductor (7) having a plurality of mutually insulated wires (4) to establish electric connection between a plurality of electric elements (6) incorporated in the building set. The electric conductor (7) is formed with a transverse dimension which is slighlty greater than the distance (A) between two coupling studs (2). Further, the conductor (7) with the electrically conducting wires (4) is resilient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: INTERLEGO AG
    Inventors: Allan Toft, Kaj Svejstrup Mikkelsen, Erik Bach
  • Patent number: 5596181
    Abstract: An electric switch for toys comprises a stationary member and a member rotatable with respect to the stationary member. The stationary member includes a plurality of electrical connections in the physical form of fixed, variable configured contacts with integral terminals. The contacts are bridged by conductive pattern(s) forming part of the rotatable member. Circuits are broken or made which are dependent upon the position of the rotatable member. The rotatable member includes a coupling, preferably a cruciform hole for detachably mounting a protruding lever or protruding shaft. The rotatable member can be rotated between a plurality of premarked positions when the lever or shaft is mounted within the coupling hole. The switch may be used as a building block component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignee: INTERLEGO AG
    Inventors: Erik Bach, Morten Rydder
  • Patent number: 5373791
    Abstract: A toy wheel for a model electric train is provided which is formed of two parts axially arranged next to each other. One part of the wheel has a rolling face having a high coefficient of friction for engagement with a track rail. The other part of the wheel is electrically conducting and, in use, engages a side of the track rail. A spring biases the electrically conducting part toward the rolling part and, in use, into electrical engagement with the current carrying rail on which the rolling part rides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1994
    Assignee: Interlego A.G.
    Inventors: Erik Bach, Kaj S. Mikkelsen
  • Patent number: D346627
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignee: Interlego A.G.
    Inventor: Erik Bach
  • Patent number: D350788
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Assignee: Interlego, A.G.
    Inventors: Erik Bach, Hans Madsen