Abstract:
A toy, such as a teddy bear, pair of hand puppets, or other amusement device wherein an electrical circuit is actuated through the connection of two separate halves of a wired shape, such as a heart, moon, star, light bulb or other form, causing said shape to glow via lights, with aforementioned halves held together via a set of neodymium magnets. When the halves are separated, at least one pair of electrical contacts is disconnected, and therefore, the electrical circuit is incomplete such that the toy does not glow. When the halves are mated or otherwise joined, the at least one pair of electrical contacts come into connection with one another and the electrical circuit is completed, causing the lights within the wired shape to glow.

Description:
NOTICE OF COPYRIGHT PROTECTION 
       [0001]    A portion of the disclosure of this patent document and its figures contain material subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, but otherwise reserves all copyrights whatsoever. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to amusement devices, and more particularly to illuminating toys. 
         [0003]    Conventional illuminated toys function via an on/off switch which controls the internal electrical circuit powering the lights. This knob pushes one of two contacts toward the other, thus completing the electrical circuit. While this system is functional, it does not further the amusement factor of the device, nor does it inherently suit the purpose of the device. The present invention provides a functional means of powering the device that also provides additional amusement. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    The present invention is a toy, such as a stuffed animal, pair of hand puppets, or other amusement device that includes an electrical circuit, wherein the electrical circuitis actuated through the connection of two separate halves of a wired shape, such as a heart, moon, star, light bulb or other form, that causes the shape to glow or otherwise illuminate. When the halves are separated, at least one pair of electrical contacts is disconnected, and therefore, the electrical circuit is incomplete such that the wired shape of the toy does not glow. When the halves are mated or otherwise joined, such as held together by mated neodymium magnets, the electrical contacts come into connection with one another and the electrical circuit is completed, causing the lights within the wired shape to glow. 
         [0005]    In an exemplary embodiment, a toy such as a plush stuffed teddy bear is internally wired with an electrical circuit that leads, through two or more parts that can be mated or placed into contact to illuminate the two or more parts or a portion of the two or more parts. For example, a stuffed animal with two hands, each hand holding half of a heart-shaped object such that when the two halves of the heart-shaped object are aligned and mated, the entire heart or a portion of the heart is illuminated. According to some of the embodiments, the device includes LED lights of the electrical circuit that are connected in series. The illuminated part is in two distinct halves which, when joined together as though held that way by the stuffed animal, complete the internal electrical circuit to power the LED lights. Still further, two (2) sets of neodymium magnets or equivalent means are used to hold the two halves together once they are mated to maintain both the electrical circuit and the illuminated part. When the halves are pulled apart beyond the magnets&#39; grasp, the electrical circuit is disconnected and the lights are turned off. As one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates, alternate means of holding the two halves of parts that are mated may include snaps, hook and loop, clasps, and other mechanisms. 
         [0006]    In another exemplary embodiment, a teddy bear is internally wired with another electrical circuit that leads, through the teddy bear&#39;s hands into an illuminated part, such as a heart wired with a plurality of LED lights. All the other functionalities of the illuminated part are the same as the above example, except that the plurality of LED lights are connected in parallel and the internal electrical circuit has one additional electrical contact. And, as one of ordinary skill appreciates alternate designs may be used in the circuitry of the two or more pieces that are mated together to complete the electrical circuit and illuminate a portion of the device. 
         [0007]    The foregoing generally discloses the features and technical advantages of the present invention so that the detailed description that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the specific embodiments disclosed may be readily used as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the present invention, and, together with the description, serve to better explain the principles of the invention. It is to be noted that the drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention will admit to other equally effective embodiments. 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an illuminated heart of a teddy bear wired with an electrical circuit, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of a frame of the illuminated heart in an open position, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of the frame of the illuminated heart in a closing position, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of a left part of the frame of the illuminated heart, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of the electrical circuit within the teddy bear, and a schematic diagram of the electrical circuit, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of another electrical circuit within an teddy bear while a plurality of LED lights in the electrical circuit are connected in parallel, and a schematic diagram of the electrical circuit, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present invention; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  illustrates an exemplary visual message on an illuminated heart, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    This invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Moreover, all statements herein reciting embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future (i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure). 
         [0017]    Thus, for example, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the diagrams, schematics, illustrations, and the like represent conceptual views or perspective views illustrating some of this invention. The functions of the various elements shown in the figures may vary in shape, attachment, size, and other physical features. Those of ordinary skill in the art further understand that the exemplary systems, and/or methods described herein are for illustrative purposes and, thus, are not intended to be limited to any particular named manufacturer or other relevant physical limitation (e.g., material). 
         [0018]    For the purposes of this description, a form of the invention involving a teddy bear toy holding an illuminated heart will be used, though the present invention applies to alternate embodiments including but not limited to hand puppets and other forms of stuffed animal, as well as alternate shapes like crescent moons or light bulbs. 
         [0019]      FIGS. 1-5  depict exemplary embodiments of an illuminated heart  10  of a stuffed animal (shown as a teddy bear) wired with an electrical circuit  80 .  FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of the illuminated heart  10 , in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The teddy bear toy may be many different sizes and shapes, and preferable, the teddy bear is greater than or equal to six inches in width. The illuminated heart  10 , comprising a left heart  12  and a right heart  14 , is approximately six inches wide by approximately six inches tall. Within the illuminated heart  10 , four LED lights are placed: a top light  16  and a lower light  20  in the left heart  12 , a top light  18  and a lower light  22  in the right heart  14 . The top light  16  and the top light  18  are on a 0.125 inch wire track  24  along the perimeter of the illuminated heart  10  even with the low crest of the illuminated heart  10 , and the lower light  20  and the lower light  22  are placed two inches from heart tip point  28 , also along the perimeter of the illuminated heart  10 . 
         [0020]    A power source  82  for the LED lights is within the teddy bear, supplied through a battery pack wired to contain two “AAA” standard batteries. The electrical wires that power the LED lights within the illuminated heart  10  run from within the teddy bear, through the arms and hands into the illuminated heart  10 , via a 0.135 inch hole  30  of the left heart  12  and another 0.135 inch hole  32  of the right heart  14  on outer edge of the illuminated heart  10 . There is one pair of copper electrical contacts  34 , six millimeters in diameter and 1.5 millimeters thick, connected to these electrical wires that power the LED lights. A first electrical contact  36  and a second electrical contact  38  of the pair of copper electrical contacts  34  are positioned on the interior edge of each half of the illuminated heart  10 , so that when the broken heart is joined, the pair of copper electrical contacts  34  is connected. 
         [0021]    The connection is maintained without active user attention through an upper set of neodymium magnets  40  and a lower set of neodymium magnets  42  aligned so that, when connected, they will maintain the contact of the pair of copper electrical contacts  34 . Both the upper set of neodymium magnets  40  and the lower set of neodymium magnets  42  are approximately six millimeters in diameter and 1.5 millimeters thick, placed on the interior edges of the broken heart halves. 
         [0022]    With reference to  FIGS. 2-4 , there is depicted a frame  60  of the illuminated heart  10  in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present invention.  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3  illustrate the frame  60  of the illuminated heart  10  in an open position and a closing position respectively, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The frame  60  comprises a left part  62  and a right part  64 . On the outer edge of each half of the frame  60 , there is a 0.135 inch aperture, such as an aperture  74  on the left part  62  and an aperture  72  on the right part  64 , via which an incoming wire connects the power source  82  to the electrical wires within the left part  62  or the right part  64  respectively. On the interior edge of each half of the frame  60 , there are three apertures of six millimeters in diameter, such as, on the left part  62 , an aperture  66  allowing the contact of the pair of copper electrical contacts  34 , an aperture  68  allowing the contact of the set of upper neodymium magnets  40 , and an aperture  70  allowing the contact of the set of lower neodymium magnets  42 , etc. 
         [0023]      FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of the left part  62  of the frame  60  of the illuminated heart  10 , in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present invention. A 0.0125 inch wire track  24  along the inner side of the left part  62  allows the electrical wires of the electrical circuit  80  to pass through the track. 
         [0024]      FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of the electrical circuit  80  of the illuminated heart  10 , and a schematic diagram of the electrical circuit  80 , in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The electrical circuit  80  comprises the power source  82 , the upper LED lights  16  and  18 , the lower LED lights  20  and  22 , the pair of copper electrical contacts  34 . In this exemplary embodiment, those four LED lights are connected in series. 
         [0025]      FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of another electrical circuit  92  of an illuminated heart  90 , and a schematic diagram of the electrical circuit  92 , in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The electrical circuit  92  includes a power source  110 , an upper LED light  94 , an upper LED light  96 , a lower LED light  98 , a lower LED light  100 , an upper pair of electrical contact  102 , and a lower pair of electrical contact  108 . And those four LED lights are connected in parallel. When the broken halves of the illuminated heart  90  are joined, both the upper pair of electrical contact  102  and the lower pair of electrical contact  108  are connected. And the connection is maintained without active user attention through an upper set of neodymium magnets  104  and a lower set of neodymium magnets  106  aligned so that, when connected, they will maintain the contact of the upper pair of electrical contact  102  and the lower pair of electrical contact  108 . For the electrical circuit  92 , the frame of the illuminated heart  90  will need one more aperture on the interior edge of each half of the frame to allow the contact of the lower electrical contacts  108 . 
         [0026]      FIG. 7  illustrates an exemplary visual message  120  on an illuminated heart  121 , in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The exemplary visual messages on the illuminated heart  121  may include: “Come Home Soon”, “For My Love”, etc. According to the exemplary embodiment, letters of the message  120  are hollow and clear with a coloring around them, so the color that the lights would shine through will be visible. For example, the message “For My Love” can be clear with a transparent red coloring surrounding it, and the message “Come Home Soon” can be clear with a transparent cameo or green coloring surrounding it. In alternate exemplary embodiment, the letters of the message  120  may be put on the illuminated heart  121  through clings or removable stickers (not shown). In another exemplary embodiment, the message  120  may be on a sliding and switchable faceplate (not shown). And the faceplate may slide into font fingers of the teddy bear and locks into the bottom of the heart. Furthermore, the faceplate allows the illuminated heart to glow clearly through it. If the faceplate is colored, then the letters of its message glow the color of the light that shines through the clear faceplate. While the invention has been particularly shown and described with references to several exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the two or more parts of this invention may include a variety of shapes, such as a circle, a square, a star, another geometric shape, and a non-geometric shape. Still further, the electric circuit may be housed and operations within the two or more pieces that are secured to the stuffed animal. Accordingly, if the user removed the mated two or more parts, then the mated parts would remain illuminated and could be separate from the stuffed animal. Still further, the circuitry could be integrated into the body of the stuffed animal with electrical lead lines running internal to the bear that come out of the hands and into the two or more pieces held in the hands. Such a design may be advantageous in better storing a battery operated power source.