Patent Publication Number: US-RE46087-E

Title: Prank apparatus with amusement effect

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a toy and, more particularly, to a prank (or tricky) apparatus with an amusement effect. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     A conventional prank toy has a strange outlook appearance to cause a frightening effect to people. Another conventional prank toy includes an upright plate with the figure of a human body to achieve a frightening effect to people. In addition, the conventional prank toy can emit sound or light simultaneously to enhance the frightening effect. However, the conventional prank toy cannot cause an interaction with other people, thereby limiting its versatility. In addition, the conventional prank toy has a boring structure and a limited function so that it cannot satisfy the consumers&#39; requirements. A conventional prank apparatus in accordance with the prior art shown in  FIGS. 1-7  comprises a base unit  1 , a driving device  2  mounted on the base unit  1 , and a decorative unit  3  mounted on the driving device  2 . The base unit  1  includes a housing  11 , a sounder  12  mounted in the housing  11 , a sensor  13  mounted in the housing  11 , a control switch  14  mounted on the housing  11 , a power supply  15  mounted in the housing  11 , and a control board  16  mounted in the housing  11 . The sounder  12  of the base unit  1  can emit sound with an amusement effect. The sensor  13  of the base unit  1  is operable to actuate the driving device  2 . The power supply  15  of the base unit  1  is connected to the driving device  2  to supply an electric power to the driving device  2 . The control switch  14  of the base unit  1  is connected between the power supply  15  and the driving device  2  to turn on/off the driving device  2 . The control board  16  of the base unit  1  is connected to the sensor  13  to select and control the detection states of the sensor  13 . The driving device  2  includes a mounting seat  21  mounted on the housing  11  of the base unit  1 , a drive wheel  23  rotatably mounted in the mounting seat  21  and having a periphery locally provided with a plurality of drive teeth  24 , a drive motor  22  mounted in the mounting seat  21  and connected with the drive wheel  23  to rotate the drive wheel  23 , a driven wheel  25  rotatably mounted on the mounting seat  21  and having a periphery locally provided with a plurality of driven teeth  26  meshing with the drive teeth  24  of the drive wheel  23 , a support bar  27  connected with the driven wheel  25  to move in concert with the driven wheel  25 , and two torsion springs  28  mounted on two opposite sides of the driven wheel  25  and each having a first end connected with the mounting seat  21  and a second end connected with the support bar  27 . The decorative unit  3  is mounted on the support bar  27  of the driving device  2  and includes a decorative body  31 , a fixing bar  32  secured in the decorative body  31 , and an extension shank  33  having a first end connected with the fixing bar  32  and a second end connected with the upper end of the support bar  27  so that the decorative body  31  is movable in concert with the support bar  27  of the driving device  2 . The decorative body  31  of the decorative unit  3  is a detachable element and has a determined shape, pattern, figure or the like. Preferably, the decorative body  31  of the decorative unit  3  is made of a cloth which is decorated to have the profile of a ghost or the like to provide a frightening effect. In assembly, the drive motor  22  is initially mounted in the mounting seat  21 . Then, the mounting seat  21  is mounted on the housing  11 . Then, the drive wheel  23  is mounted in the mounting seat  21 . Then, the torsion springs  28  are mounted on the two opposite sides of the driven wheel  25 . Then, the driven wheel  25  is mounted on the mounting seat  21 , with the driven teeth  26  of the driven wheel  25  meshing with the drive teeth  24  of the drive wheel  23 . Then, the first end of each of the torsion springs  28  is connected with the mounting seat  21 , and the second end of each of the torsion springs  28  is connected with the support bar  27 . Finally, the extension shank  33  is connected with the support bar  27  to connect the decorative unit  3  with the driving device  2 , thereby accomplishing assembly of the prank apparatus. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the base unit  1  further includes a plurality of connecting brackets  17  mounted on a periphery of the housing  11 , and a plurality of stands  18  connected with the connecting brackets  17  respectively to enhance rigidity and stability of the housing  11 . In operation, referring to  FIGS. 5-7  with reference to  FIGS. 1-3 , the control switch  14  of the base unit  1  is switched to turn on the driving device  2  so that the drive motor  22  can be operated to drive the drive wheel  23 . At this time, the user can transmit a signal to the sensor  13 . For example, the user can transmit a sound signal to the sensor  13  by clapping, shouting or the like. In such a manner, after the sensor  13  receives the signal from the user, the sensor  13  transmits a signal to the control board  16  which starts the drive motor  22  which drives the drive wheel  23  to rotate in the counterclockwise direction as shown in  FIG. 5 . At this time, the driven teeth  26  of the driven wheel  25  mesh with the drive teeth  24  of the drive wheel  23  so that the driven wheel  25  is driven by the drive wheel  23  to rotate in the clockwise direction so as to move the support bar  27  and the extension shank  33  downward and backward and to compress the torsion springs  28  for storing a restoring force. Subsequently, the drive wheel  23  is further rotated in the counterclockwise direction until the driven teeth  26  of the driven wheel  25  disengage the drive teeth  24  of the drive wheel  23  as shown in  FIG. 6  so that the driven wheel  25  is released from the drive wheel  23  and is pushed by the restoring force of the torsion springs  28  to rotate in the counterclockwise direction so as to move the support bar  27  and the extension shank  33  upward. In such a manner, the support bar  27  and the extension shank  33  are moved upward and forward by the restoring force of the torsion springs  28  so that the decorative body  31  of the decorative unit  3  is instantaneously sprung upward and forward. At the same time, the sounder  12  can emit a sound when the decorative body  31  of the decorative unit  3  is sprung. Thus, after the sensor  13  receives the signal from the user, the decorative body  31  of the decorative unit  3  is sprung upward and forward, and the sounder  12  emits a corresponding sound as to achieve a video/audio frightening amusement effect. In practice, the prank apparatus is laced placed in a site, such a haunted house and the like, and is available for a festival, such as the Halloween day and the like. Subsequently, the drive wheel  23  is further rotated in the counterclockwise direction until the driven teeth  26  of the driven wheel  25  mesh with the drive teeth  24  of the drive wheel  23  again as shown in  FIG. 7  so that the driven wheel  25  is driven by the drive wheel  23  to rotate in the clockwise direction again so as to move the support bar  27  and the extension shank  33  downward and backward and to compress the torsion springs  28  for storing a restoring force. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a prank apparatus having an excellent tricky amusement effect. 
     According to the primary advantage of the present invention, after the sensor receives the signal from the user, the decorative body of the decorative unit is initially moved downward and backward slowly and then sprung upward and forward suddenly, and the sounder emits a corresponding sound simultaneously. 
     Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a conventional prank apparatus in accordance with the prior art. 
         FIG. 2  is a partially exploded perspective view of the conventional prank apparatus as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a side cross-sectional view of the conventional prank apparatus as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a partially exploded perspective view of another conventional prank apparatus. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic operational view of the conventional prank apparatus as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic operational view of the conventional prank apparatus as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic operational view of the conventional prank apparatus as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  is a side cross-sectional view of a prank apparatus in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic operational view of the prank apparatus as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic operational view of the prank apparatus as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic operational view of the prank apparatus as shown in  FIG. 10 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to the drawings and initially to  FIG. 8 , a prank apparatus in accordance with the present invention comprises a base unit  4 , a driving device  5  mounted on the base unit  4 , and a decorative unit  6  mounted on the driving device  5 . 
     The base unit  4  includes a housing  41 , a sounder  42  mounted in the housing  41 , a sensor  43  mounted in the housing  41  and located beside the sounder  42 , a power supply  45  mounted in the housing  41 , and a control board  46  mounted in the housing  41 . The sounder  42  of the base unit  4  is located in the front end of the housing  41  and can emit a sound with an amusement effect. The sensor  43  of the base unit  4  is operable to actuate the driving device  5 . In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sensor  43  of the base unit  4  is a light sensor, a sound sensor, a footpad control switch, a try-me switch or a combination of the above-mentioned parts. The power supply  45  of the base unit  4  is connected to the driving device  5  to supply an electric power to the driving device  5 . The control board  46  of the base unit  4  is located under the power supply  45  and is connected to the sensor  43  to select and control the detection states of the sensor  43 . 
     The driving device  5  is operable by the sensor  43  of the base unit  4 . The driving device  5  is mounted on the housing  41  of the base unit  4  and includes a mounting seat  51  mounted on the housing  41  of the base unit  4 , a drive wheel  53  rotatably mounted in the mounting seat  51  and having a periphery locally provided with a plurality of drive teeth  54 , a drive motor  52  mounted in the mounting seat  51  and connected with the drive wheel  53  to rotate the drive wheel  53 , a driven wheel  55  rotatably mounted on the mounting seat  51  and having a periphery locally provided with a plurality of driven teeth  56  meshing with the drive teeth  54  of the drive wheel  53 , a support bar  57  connected with the driven wheel  55  to move in concert with the driven wheel  55 , and two torsion springs  58  mounted on two opposite sides of the driven wheel  55  and each having a first end connected with the mounting seat  51  and a second end connected with the support bar  57 . The driven wheel  55  of the driving device  5  is disposed above the drive wheel  53 . The support bar  57  of the driving device  5  is formed on and extended outward from a side of the driven wheel  55 . Each of the torsion springs  58  has a substantially V-shaped profile. 
     In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the base unit  4  further includes a support rack  47  mounted on the housing  41 . The decorative unit  6  is mounted on the support bar  57  of the driving device  5  and the support rack  47  of the base unit  4 . The decorative unit  6  includes an extension shank  63  having a first end connected with the support bar  57  of the driving device  5  and a second end provided with an elongate guide slot  64 , a movable pin  66  movably mounted in the guide slot  64  of the extension shank  63 , a first link  65  having a first end pivotally connected with the movable pin  66 , a decorative body  61  connected with a second end of the first link  65 , and a second link  67  having a first end pivotally connected with the support rack  47  of the base unit  4  and a second end pivotally connected with the first link  65 . The second end of the second link  67  is located between the movable pin  66  and the decorative body  61 . The decorative body  61  is movable in concert with the support bar  57  of the driving device  5  and is provided with a connector  62  connected with the second end of the first link  65 . 
     In operation, referring to  FIGS. 9-11  with reference to  FIG. 8 , the base unit  4  is operated and switched to turn on the driving device  5  so that the drive motor  52  can be operated to drive the drive wheel  53 . At this time, the user can transmit a signal to the sensor  43 . For example, the user can transmit a light-sensitive signal, such as an infrared ray and the like, to the sensor  43 . In such a manner, after the sensor  43  receives the signal from the user, the sensor  43  transmits a signal to the control board  46  which starts the drive motor  52  which drives the drive wheel  53  to rotate in the counterclockwise direction as shown in  FIG. 9 . At this time, the driven teeth  56  of the driven wheel  55  mesh with the drive teeth  54  of the drive wheel  53  so that the driven wheel  55  is driven by the drive wheel  53  to rotate in the clockwise direction so as to move the support bar  57  and the extension shank  63  downward and backward and to compress the torsion springs  58  for storing a restoring force. Subsequently, the drive wheel  53  is further rotated in the counterclockwise direction until the driven teeth  56  of the driven wheel  55  disengage the drive teeth  54  of the drive wheel  53  as shown in  FIG. 10  so that the driven wheel  55  is released from the drive wheel  53  and is pushed by the restoring force of the torsion springs  58  to rotate in the counterclockwise direction so as to move the support bar  57  and the extension shank  63  upward. In such a manner, when the support bar  57  and the extension shank  63  are moved upward and forward by the restoring force of the torsion springs  58 , the first link  65  is moved upward and forward by a sliding motion of the movable pin  66  in the guide slot  64  said upward and forward motion of the extension shank  63 , and the second link  67  is moved upward and forward by push said upward and forward motion of the first link  65  so that the decorative body  61  of the decorative unit  6  is instantaneously sprung upward and forward, and when extension shank 63 reaches a generally vertical orientation, decorative body 61 is permitted to continue its upward and forward motion by a sliding motion of the movable pin 66 in the guide slot 64 of the extension shank 63. At the same time, the sounder  42  can emit a sound when the decorative body  61  of the decorative unit  6  is sprung upward and forward. Thus, after the sensor  43  receives the signal from the user, the decorative body  61  of the decorative unit  6  is sprung upward and forward, and the sounder  42  emits a corresponding sound so as to achieve a video/audio frightening amusement effect. Subsequently, the drive wheel  53  is further rotated in the counterclockwise direction until the driven teeth  56  of the driven wheel  55  mesh with the drive teeth  54  of the drive wheel  53  again as shown in  FIG. 11  so that the driven wheel  55  is driven by the drive wheel  53  to rotate in the clockwise direction again so as to move the support bar  57  and the extension shank  63  downward and backward and to compress the torsion springs  58  for storing a restoring force. 
     In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sensor  43  of the base unit  4  is a contact switch (such as a footpad control switch, a try-me switch or the like). In practice, the sensor  43  of the base unit  4  has a connecting line which has a terminal embedded in a determined position of the housing  41 . Thus, when the user touches the terminal of the connecting line of the sensor  43 , the sensor  43  of the base unit  4  is operated to actuate the driving device  5 . 
     Accordingly, after the sensor  43  receives the signal from the user, the decorative body  61  of the decorative unit  6  is initially moved downward and backward slowly and then sprung upward and forward suddenly, and the sounder  42  emits a corresponding sound simultaneously. In addition, the sensor  43  of the base unit  4  is operated in an optical, acoustical and manual contact manner so that the user can control the sensor  43  to actuate the driving device  5  so as to move the decorative body  61  of the decorative unit  6  easily and quickly. 
     Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment(s) as mentioned above, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claim or claims will cover such modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the invention.