Patent Abstract:
A reconfigurable target/projectile activity entertainment device is disclosed, wherein the device includes a projectile, a target having a target area and a reversible base connectable to the target. The target is in the form of a hoop or ring and is disposed above the reversible base. The hoop has an opening therein that forms the target area. The hoop contains a sensor that detects a projectile passing through the target area and communicates with a sensory generator to generate sensory-stimulating output (i.e., lights and sounds). Projectiles directed through the target area drop to the reversible base below the target area. The reversible base has a first side and a second side. The first side is concave for collecting a projectile that drops thereon. The second side is opposite the first side and has a convex side that deflects projectiles dropping thereon to deflect the projectile away from the device. The reversible base can be reconfigured between a first mode wherein the concave side faces the target area and a second mode that wherein the convex side faces the target.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to an entertainment device and, more particularly, to a convertible, projected implement/target activity device, where the device includes a projectable implement and a target area and where, in one mode, the projected implement reaching the target area is thereafter contained by the entertainment device and, in a second mode, the projected implement reaching the target area is thereafter directed away from the entertainment device to encourage more active children to pursue and retrieve the projected implement.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Young children enjoy placing or throwing projectiles in defined areas such as holes, hoops or other types of open target areas. Children develop and become more mobile as they explore crawling, walking and other motor skills. At each stage of development, a child will be more agile and capable than in earlier stages of development. Parents want to encourage exploration at each developmental stage in order to assist in passage to the next developmental stage. To this end, reconfigurable entertainment devices offer parents an opportunity to encourage exploration at various developmental levels. Reconfigurable entertainment devices can provide skill level appropriate stimulation at one developmental stage and can then be reconfigured to provide appropriate stimulation at a more advanced skill level/developmental stage.  
         [0003]     In the present case, a reconfigurable childrens&#39; projected implement/target activity device is disclosed. The device can be reconfigured into multiple configurations to stimulate children of different distinct skill and developmental levels. The device includes a graspable projectable implement, a target area and a projected implement movement controller. A child directs the implement through the target area after which the projected implement movement controller controls the movement of the implement. The projected implement can be a ball or any object that a child can grasp easily. The target area can be the open area of a ring, hoop, or other opening, through which the projected implement passes. The target area may be suspended above the projected implement movement controller. The projected implement movement controller may also function as a reversible base for the activity device.  
         [0004]     The projected implement movement controller of the present invention includes a first side and a second side. The first side of the projected implement movement controller has a concave shape and the second side has a convex shape. In a first configuration of the activity device of the present invention, the first side of the projected implement movement controller faces the target area so that a projected implement, passing through the target area, comes in contact with the projected implement movement controller. Because the first side of the projected implement movement controller is concave, when the projected implement passes through the target area, the projected implement is contained in the concave, bowl-shaped, side of the movement controller within proximity of the child. Alternatively, when the reversible projected implement movement controller is reconfigured to expose the movement controller&#39;s, second, convex side and the projected implement passes through the target area, the projected implement deflects off of the movement controller&#39;s dome-shaped, convex, surface and moves away from the activity device.  
         [0005]     The activity device according to the present invention therefore facilitates two modes of activity for children at different developmental levels. In the first mode where the concave, bowl-shaped, surface of the projected implement movement controller faces the target area, a younger, less mobile, child can place the implements through the target area and the movement controller will corral and contain the implements in close proximity to the child. This first mode also provides a convex surface pointing away from the target area and toward the supporting surface. In the first mode, the convex surface of the projected implement movement controller contacts the supporting surface to allow the activity device to rock back and forth as the child plays. In the second activity mode where the convex, dome-shaped surface of the projected implement controller faces the target area, the projected implements are deflected away from the activity device and must be retrieved as the child plays. This second activity mode therefore encourages children to be more active and further improves their motor skills and hand-eye coordination.  
         [0006]     The activity device of the present invention also provides sensory-stimulating rewards for a child successfully reaching the target area with a projected implement. An optical sensor may be utilized in the target area to sense the presence of the projected implement in the target area. Thus, the presence of the projected implement in the target area may trigger sensory-stimulating output from the activity device. The sensory-stimulating output may include lights, sound effects, speech, and/or music. Thus, a child that successfully reaches the target area with the projected implement is therefore rewarded with sensory-stimulating output to encourage continued play. Additionally, the activity device of the present invention could also incorporate a motion sensor to generate sensory-stimulating output at the slightest touch to further encourage continued play.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0007]     Generally, the present invention device discloses a children&#39;s activity device comprising a projectable implement and a target area at which the implement is to be directed. The activity device includes a sensor that senses when the target area has been successfully reached by the projected implement and a sensory-stimulating output generating device that receives a signal from the sensor. When the sensory-stimulating output generating device receives the success signal from the sensor, it generates sensory-stimulating to encourage continued play. Specifically, the present invention discloses an activity device having a target area for receiving a plurality balls and an electronics unit including a sensor that detects the presence of a ball passing through the target area and a electronics controller that instructs the generation of sensory-stimulating output upon such detection.  
         [0008]     The present invention further contains a reconfigurable projected implement movement controller that directs and controls the movement of the projected implement after the target are has been successfully reached. The projected implement movement controller is reconfigurable in that one side of the projected implement movement controller is convex to direct a projected implement away from the activity device while the opposite side of the movement controller is concave to corral and contain the projected implement within the proximity of the activity device. The projected implement movement controller is connected to the target are such that, relative to the target area, the projected implement movement controller is reversible between the concave and convex sides. When the projected implement movement controller is oriented in the convex arrangement, balls passing through the target area, fall on the movement controller and are directed away from the activity device. Conversely, when the projected implement movement controller is reversed so that the concave side is directed upward, the balls passing through the target area are contained in the movement controller in close proximity to the activity device.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a child playing with the activity device of the present invention, with the activity device shown in its containment mode.  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  illustrates an enlarged top perspective view of the concave side of the reversible projected implement movement controller/base of the activity device of  FIG. 1 , showing the base split into its two component parts.  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  illustrates an enlarged top perspective view of the convex side of the reversible projected implement movement controller/base of the activity device of  FIG. 2 .  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  illustrates an enlarged top perspective view of the concave side of the reversible projected implement movement controller/base of the activity device of  FIG. 1  in its assembled form.  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  illustrates an enlarged top perspective view of the convex side of the reversible projected implement movement controller/base of the activity device of  FIG. 1  in its assembled form.  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  illustrates an enlarged side perspective view of the reversible projected implement movement controller/base of the activity device of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0015]      FIG. 7  illustrates an enlarged side perspective view of the target area and target support arms of the activity device of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0016]      FIG. 8  illustrates an enlarged top perspective view of the target area and target support arms of the activity device of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0017]      FIG. 9  illustrates a close-up enlarged top perspective view of the target area of the activity device of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0018]      FIG. 10  illustrates an enlarged perspective view of the concave side of the reversible projected implement movement controller/base, the target area, and the target support arms of the activity device of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0019]      FIG. 11  illustrates manner of connection of the reversible projected implement movement controller/base and the target support arms of the activity device of  FIG. 1  during assembly into the deflection mode.  
         [0020]      FIG. 12  illustrates an enlarged perspective view of the connection end of one of the target support arms of the activity device of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0021]      FIG. 13  illustrates an enlarged perspective view of one of the support arm reception slots of the reversible projected implement movement controller/base of the activity device of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0022]      FIG. 14  illustrates an enlarged perspective view showing the connection end of the support arm received in the guided reception slot of the activity device of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0023]      FIG. 15  illustrates an enlarged perspective view of the inner side of one of the support the activity device of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0024]      FIG. 16  illustrates an enlarged perspective view of the electrical contacts in another of the reception slots of the reversible projected implement movement controller/base of the activity device of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0025]      FIG. 17  illustrates an electronic schematic of the activity device of  FIG. 1  in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0026]      FIG. 18  illustrates a perspective view of the activity device of the present invention showing the reversible projected implement movement controller/base holding two projectiles while configured in the containment mode.  
         [0027]      FIG. 19  illustrates an enlarged side perspective view of the activity device of  FIG. 1  showing the reversible projected implement movement controller/base configured in the deflection mode.  
         [0028]      FIG. 20  illustrates an enlarged side perspective view of the activity device of  FIG. 19  configured in the deflection mode and showing a projectile being deflected away from the activity device. 
     
    
       [0029]     Like reference numerals have been used to identify like elements throughout this disclosure.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0030]     In accordance with the present invention, an activity entertainment device  100  is disclosed. The activity device  100  is a reconfigurable to allow for two different modes of activity. In a containment mode, the activity device  100  contains or corrals the projected implements that have passed through the target area to accommodate less mobile/younger children. Alternatively, in a second, deflection mode, projected implements that pass through the target area are deflected away from the activity device  100 , requiring the child to retrieve the projected implements and thereby encouraging retrieval activity. In addition, in the containment mode, the portion of the base of the activity device  100  that is in contact with the supporting surface is convex to allow for the rocking of the activity device  100 . In the deflection mode, the portion of the base of the activity device  100  that is in contact with the supporting surface is concave and thus, a stable, non-rocking, characteristic is achieved.  
         [0031]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a child playing with the activity device  100  of the present invention, with the activity device  100  shown in its containment mode. As shown, the activity device  100  is a drop/toss toy with a hoop-type target portion  110  that senses a projectile  130  passing through the target portion  110  and generates music to reward the child when a projectile  130  such as a ball is tossed through the target portion  110 . The activity device  100  generally comprises a target portion  110  formed as a hoop or ring, a bowl shaped reversible base  150  for directing the projectile after passing through the target portion  110 , support arms  120  and  140  for supporting the target portion  110  above the reversible base  150  and projectiles  130 . In the containment mode, the reversible base  150  corrals the projectiles  130  that have passed through the target portion  110 . As illustrated, in the containment mode, the convex portion of the reversible base  150  is in contact with the supporting surface  160  to provide a rocking motion for the activity device  100 .  
         [0032]      FIG. 2  illustrates an enlarged top perspective view of the concave side of the reversible projected implement movement controller/base of the activity device of  FIG. 1 , showing the base split into its two component parts. In order to reduce the size of the retail packaging (not shown) for the activity device  100  of the present invention, the reversible base  150  is constructed from two separate interlocking portions ( 210  and  240 ).  
         [0033]     Portion  210  includes of a female receptacle  212 . Female receptacle  212  is designed to receive key  246  on portion  240 . Portion  210  also includes a plurality of fastener tabs  214 ,  215 ,  216  with apertures therein. The fastener tabs  214 ,  215 ,  216  extend from the side of portion  210 . Portion  240  contains a series of fastener-receiving recesses  341 ,  342 ,  343  (best seen in  FIG. 3 ). Each fastener-receiving recess  341 ,  342 ,  343  is adapted to mate with a corresponding fastener tab  214 ,  215 ,  216  on portion  210  and receive a fastener.  
         [0034]     The female receptacle  212 , key  246 , fastener tabs  214 ,  215 ,  216 , and fastener-receiving recesses  341 ,  342 ,  343  provide a simple, stable way to secure the portions  210  and  240  of the the reversible base  150  together after removal from the retail packaging (not shown). To secure the portions  210  and  240  together, portion  240  is held above the portion  210  so that fastener tab  214  is aligned with fastener-receiving recess  341 , fastener tab  215  is aligned with fastener-receiving recess  342 , and fastener tab  216  is aligned with fastener-receiving recess  343 . Portion  240  is then lowered so that the corresponding fastener tabs fit snuggly within the corresponding fastener-receiving recesses. The female receptacle  212  and the key  246  will obviously also align and fit snuggly together. Portion  210  can then be secured to the portion  240  by directing fasteners through a apertures in the fastener tabs  214 ,  215 ,  216 , into the corresponding fastener-receiving recesses  341 ,  342 ,  343 . The heads of the fasteners may be countersunk into the fastener tabs  214 ,  215 ,  216  so that they do not protrude above the surface on the convex side  330  of the reversible base  150 .  
         [0035]     As shown in  FIGS. 2-5 , the reversible base  150  includes looped members  221  and  222  that form support arm reception slots  231  and  232  for receiving portions of support arms  120  and  140 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the reversible base  150  has a swirl pattern  228  molded into the concave surface of the containment side  220  of the reversible base  150 . Additionally, portion  240  of the reversible base  150  includes an arcuate opening  245  for easy removal of the projectiles  130  from the reversible base  150  during play.  FIG. 3  shows a battery compartment door  333  on the convex side  330  of the reversible base  150 . The battery compartment door  333  covers a compartment area where the batteries that power the activity device  100  located. A countersunk fastener secures the door  333  in a closed position so that neither the door  333  or the fastener protrude above the convex side  330  of the reversible base  150 .  
         [0036]      FIGS. 4-6  show the reversible base  150  in its assembled form.  FIG. 4  illustrates an enlarged top perspective view of the concave side  220  of the reversible projected implement movement controller/base  150  of the activity device  100  of  FIG. 1  in its assembled form.  FIG. 5  illustrates an enlarged top perspective view of the convex side  330  of the reversible projected implement movement controller/base  150  of the activity device  100  of  FIG. 1  in its assembled form.  FIG. 5  also shows a plurality of fastener apertures and fasteners therein to secure the upper and lower portions of the reversible projected implement movement controller/base  150  together.  FIG. 6  illustrates an enlarged side perspective view of the reversible projected implement movement controller/base  150  of the activity device  100  of  FIG. 1   
         [0037]      FIG. 7  illustrates an enlarged side perspective view of the target portion  110  and target support arms  120 ,  140  of the activity device  100  of  FIG. 1 . As discussed briefly above, the activity device  100  of the present invention has a hooped or ringed target portion  110  that is supported above the reversible base  150  by support arms  120  and  140 . The upper portion of the hoop is composed of two opaque portions  753 ,  754  and two translucent portions  752 ,  756 . The target portion  110  houses electronic components that produce light which shines from the translucent upper portions  752 ,  756  of the target portion  110 . A fabric net  758  is suspended from the inside of the target portion  110  to create a basketball style activity.  
         [0038]     Support arms  120  and  140  extend from a lower portion  719  of the target portion  110  and extend downward. Support arm  140  includes electronic components (e.g., wiring) associated with power, sound and light. Support arm  140  also houses the power/volume switch  715  on the outside surface of the arm  140  and contains apertures (best seen in  FIG. 15 ) through which sound, generated by a speaker passes. The electronic features of the activity device  100  of the present invention will be explained in more detail below.  
         [0039]     Support arm  140  also supports two mechanical activity rollers  711  and  712 . The rollers provide additional entertainment value and are also intended to improve a child&#39;s manual dexterity. Both support arms  120  and  140  may include an external raised design that is molded into the arm. In the illustrated embodiment, the raised design is stylized as a serpentine vine with leaves. The lower end of support arms  120  and  140  may be mechanically and electronically connected to the reversible base  150 . Details of the connection of the support arms  120  and  140  to the reversible base  150  will be discussed in more detail below.  
         [0040]     Support arm  120  extends from an upper end that is attached to the lower portion  719  of the target portion  110  down to a lower end that also is connectable to the reversible base  150 . The support arm  120  does not contain any electronic elements and is generally hollow. Stiffening ribs  725  extend along the length and width of the arms  120  and  140  to minimize the amount of material necessary while maintaining the structural rigidity of the arms  120  and  140 . An animal-styled mechanical spinner  721  is supported on the outer side of support arm  120  to perform cartwheels when batted by a child. The spinner  721  is connected to and supported on a projection  727  that is rotatably secured in the support arm  120 . Like support arm  140 , the lower portion of support arm  120  is connectable to the reversible base  150 , which connection will be described below in more detail.  
         [0041]      FIGS. 8 and 9  also illustrate enlarged images of the support arms  120  and  140  as well as the target portion  110 .  FIGS. 8 and 9  also show the sensor transmitter  860 . The sensor receiver  862  is located on the opposite side of the target portion  110  from the sensor transmitter  360 . In the illustrated embodiment, the sensor transmitter/receiver  860 ,  862  is an optical sensor. A beam of light is directed from the transmitter  860  across the opening  880  in the target portion  110  to the receiver  862 . Obviously, the positions of the sensor&#39;s transmitter  860  and receiver  862  can be reversed. When a projectile/implement  130  (see  FIG. 1 ) passes through the opening  880  in the target portion  110 , it interrupts the beam of light passing from the transmitter  860  across the opening  880  in the target portion  110  to the receiver  862  which sends a signal to a sensory-output generating device. The sensory-output generating device then generates sensory output to reward the child for placing or tossing the projectile/implement  130  into the opening  880  in the target portion  110  . The operation of the electronic components of the activity device  100  of the present invention will be discussed in more detail below.  
         [0042]      FIG. 10  illustrates an enlarged perspective view of the concave side  220  of the reversible projected implement movement controller/base  150 , the target portion  110 , and the target support arms  120 ,  140  of the activity device  100  of  FIG. 1 . After assembly of the two portions  210  and  240  of the reversible projected implement movement controller/base  150 , the basic assembly of the activity device  100  is complete. Disassembling the activity device  100  and reassembling the activity device  100  between the containment mode and the deflection mode requires only reversing the base  150  which does not require the use of any fasteners or tools. Thus, reconfiguration between the containment mode and the deflection mode amounts to not much more than a plug-in/plug-out type of exercise.  FIG. 10  shows the assembled base  150  of the activity device  100  device ready to be assembled into either the containment mode or the deflection mode. Specifically, when the base  150  of the activity device  100  is assembled in the orientation shown in  FIG. 10 , the result is a completely assembled activity device  100  in the containment mode in which projectiles/implements  130  are collected in the concave side  220  of the base  150  after passing through the target portion  110 .  
         [0043]      FIG. 11  illustrates manner of connection of the reversible projected implement movement controller/base  150  and the target support arms  120 ,  140  of the activity device  100  of  FIG. 1  during assembly into the deflection mode. Specifically, when the activity device  100  is assembled in the orientation shown in  FIG. 11 , the result is a fully assembled activity device  100  in the deflection mode. To assemble the activity device  100  in the deflection mode, the lower connection ends  1114 ,  1124  of the support arms  140 ,  120  are vertically aligned with their corresponding support arm reception slots  231  and  232  in the base  150 . The connection ends  1114 ,  1124  are lowered and slid into and received by the support arm reception slots  231 ,  232 . The connection ends  1114 ,  1124  slide into the support arm reception slots  231 ,  232  until they reach end stops  1113  and  1123 .  
         [0044]     The connection between the support arms  120 ,  140  and the reversible base  150  will now be described in detail along with  FIGS. 12-14 . Because support arm  140  contains electronic components and support arm  120  does not, the support arms are not interchangeable within the support arm reception slots  231  and  232  in the base  150 . In other words, connection ends  1114  must be received into reception slot  231  and connection end  1124  must be received into reception slot  232 . To ensure that connection ends  1114  and  1124  are received only in the correct reception slots and to insure reception into the reception slots  231  and  232  with precise alignment, the connection end  1124  of the support arm  120  has guide members  1224 .  
         [0045]     Guide member  124  (shown in  FIG. 12 ) is a groove in the outwardly facing surface of the connection end  1124  of support arm  120 . As shown in  FIG. 13 , complementarily guide member  1326  is a longitudinal projection on the inside of looped member  222  projecting into reception slot  232  towards the center of the activity device  100 .  FIG. 14  shows connection end  1124  of support arm  120  partially inserted into reception slot  232  of the looped member  222 . During insertion, guide member  1326  of the looped member  222  slides within grooved member  1224  of the connection end  1124  of support arm  120  to ensure proper alignment between the connection end  1124  and the reception slot  232 . The connection end  1124  slides easily into the reception slot  232  until end stop  1123  prevents further insertion.  
         [0046]      FIGS. 15 and 16  illustrate how electrical contact is maintained between the portion of the electronic system within the reversible base  150  and the remainder of the electrical system within the support arm  140  and the target portion  110 .  FIG. 15  also illustrates a hole pattern  1510  on the inner surface of support arm  140 . Hole pattern  1510  covers a sound producing speaker. The connection end  1114  of support arm  140  contains an inside electrical contact  1516  and an electrical projection contact  1517  both on the inside surface of the connection end  1114  of support arm  140 . Contacts  1516  and  1517  conduct electrical current between the reversible base  150  and the target portion  110 . Correspondingly and as illustrated in  FIG. 16 , the inside surface of the reception slot  231  has three reception electrical contacts  1610 ,  1611 , and  1612  for receiving the inside electrical contact  1516  and the outside electrical contact  1517 . The inside  1516  and outside  1617  electrical contacts are spring loaded so that they retract into the inner surface of the connector end  1114  when the connector end  1114  is being inserted into the reception slot  231 . This retraction prevents the electrical contacts  1516 ,  1517  from becoming an obstacle to insertion of the connection end  1114  into  231 .  
         [0047]     The electronics assembly of the activity device  100  of the present invention can also identify the orientation of the reversible base  150  and thus the mode (containment or deflection) in which the activity device  100  is operating. Appropriate sensory-stimulating output can then be generated depending on the mode in which the activity device  100  is operating. Specifically, the activity device  100  can determine the mode because the inner electrical contact  1516  is always aligned with the central reception electrical contact  1611 . However, the outside electrical contact  1517  is aligned with one of the outer reception electrical contacts  1610  in the containment mode and the other of the outside outer reception electrical contacts  1612  in the deflection mode when the base  150  is reversed. The orientation of the reversible base  150  may therefore be determined by detecting which of the outer reception electrical contacts  1610  or  1612  receives the outer electrical contact  1517 . Again, these electrical contacts  1516 ,  1517 , and  1610 - 1612  allow power and electrical signals to be passed between the power source and the electronics controller (housed in the base  150 ) to the speaker, lights, and receiver/transmitter (all of which are located in the support arms  120 ,  140  and the target portion  110 ) without the use of wires extending out of the base  150 .  
         [0048]     As discussed above, the activity device  100  of the present invention may include one or more electronic components.  FIG. 17  illustrates an electronic schematic of the activity device  100  of  FIG. 1  in accordance with the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the electronics assembly  1700  includes an optical sensor  1710 . Specifically, the sensor of the electronics assembly  1700  includes an LED emitter (light emitting portion/transmitter)  860  and a corresponding photoconductive receiver (light receiving portion)  862  (e.g., where the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion makes up a “sensor pair”). The electronics assembly  1700  also includes two lights generators  1750 ,  1752 . The light generators  1750 ,  1752  generally flash to the beat of the music. Light generators  1750 ,  1752  are housed beneath the two translucent portions  752 ,  756  of the target portion  110 . The flashing lights  1750 ,  1752  act as a reward for various encouraged behavior. As discussed below, a number of events trigger a light display response in a number of different modes. The electronics assembly  1700  may further include a speaker  1760  coupled to both a microprocessor/electronics controller  1780  and the power source  1770 .  
         [0049]     The electronics assembly  1700  further includes three switches, each switch being associated with a particular feature of the activity device  100 . Switch  1720 A,  1720 B is responsible for controlling power and volume options (switch  1720 A and  1720 B are simply illustrated as two poles of a single switch). Switch  1720 A,  1720 B may be used to control the connection of a power source  1770  to the electronics assembly  1700  (turning it on and off). The power source  1770  may include, for example, three “AAA” batteries. The schematic of  FIG. 17  shows electrical contacts  1 ,  2  and  4  separate from contacts  8 ,  7  and  5 , however, these contacts all belong to the same switch and are all controlled by power/volume (illustrated as switch  715  in  FIG. 7 ). Therefore, when switch  1720 A,  1720 B is in position ( 1 ,  8 ), no battery power is available to the controller  1780 . In position ( 2 ,  7 ), the battery power is available to the controller  1780  and a low sound is generated by the speaker  1760 . Finally, in position ( 4 ,  5 ), power is available to the circuit and full sound is generated by the speaker  1760 . When engaged in either of the second or third positions (“low”, “high”), the switch  1720 A,  1720 B communicates with the microprocessor  1780 , and switch-specific sensory output (sounds and/or lights) is generated.  
         [0050]     A second internal switch  1730  may be included for additional functionality (such as a motion sensor housed within base  150 ). After the first switch  1720 A,  1720 B is activated, and power is available to the circuit, the controller unit  1780  illuminates lights  1750  and sounds before transferring to a sleep mode. The controller unit  1780  enters a sleep mode in which any further movement triggers lights and sounds. A third switch  1740  may be used to activate a “Try-Me” mode. The microprocessor controller unit  1780  has the “Try-Me” mode that can be activated when the product is still in the package on the retailer&#39;s shelf. In other words the shopper can activate the microprocessor unit  1780  to initiate a limited sample of the sounds and lights that would be generated in normal modes. When the packaging is removed the “Try-Me” mode may be disabled.  
         [0051]     As noted above, each of the speaker  1760 , the power source  1770 , the light emitter  860  the light receiver  862 , the switches  1720 A-B,  1730 ,  1740 , and the lights  750  are operatively coupled (connected) to the microprocessor unit  1780 . The type of microprocessor is not limited, and includes microcontrollers, microprocessors, and other integrated circuits. Microprocessor unit  1780  recognizes and controls signals generated by and to the light emitter  860 , the light receiver  862 , the various switches  1720 A-B,  1730 ,  1740 , and the lights  750 . In addition, microprocessor unit  1780  generates and controls operational output. The microprocessor unit  1780  continually monitors the electronic status of the light emitter  860 , the light receiver  862  and the switches  1720 A-B,  1730 , and  1740 , generating and altering the sensory output (e.g., sounds and/or lights) accordingly.  
         [0052]     The operation of the activity device  100  will now be described. In operation, when the first switch  715  (internally, switch  715  is schematically illustrated as switch  1720 A-B) is engaged, power is sent from the power source  1770  to the microprocessor unit  1780 . Once powered and active, the microprocessor unit  1780  of the activity device  100  is in the start-up mode. In the start up mode, the microprocessor unit  1780  activates lights from the light sources  1750  and sounds from the speaker  1760  for a predetermined period of time. The microprocessor unit  1780  then changes to beam break mode. In beam break mode, the emitter  860  and the receiver  862  of the sensor  1710  in the target portion  110  is activated. If a ball/implement  130  passing through the target portion  110  breaks the beam, the microprocessor unit  1780  activates sounds through speaker  1760  and lights  1750  blink to the music. If the beam is not broken for a predetermined period of time (e.g., one minute), the microprocessor unit  1780  goes into “sleep” mode. In sleep mode, the beam break feature is turned off and the internal motion sensor  1730  feature (if present) may be activated. Whenever the activity device  100  is disturbed to activate motion sensor  1730 , the microprocessor unit  1780  goes back to the start-up mode, generates sounds and flashing coordinated lights for a period of time, turns the beam break feature on and waits for the beam sensor  1710  to be broken by a ball/implement  130 .  
         [0053]      FIGS. 18-21  show the fully assembled activity device  100  in its various modes.  FIG. 18  shows the activity device  100  in its containment mode with two balls/implements  130  that have passed through the target portion  110  and been contained in the concave surface  220  reversible base  150 . As a child puts the balls/implements  130  through the target portion  110 , the sensor beam is broken to activate sounds and lights before the balls/implements  130  are contained in the concave surface  220  reversible base  150 . In this mode, the activity device  100  also rocks back and forth on the convex outer surface  330  of the reversible base  150 .  
         [0054]      FIGS. 19-20  show the activity device  100  in the fully assembled deflection mode. In this deflection mode the convex surface  330  of the reversible base  150  faces the target portion  110 . The portion of the reversible base  150  contacting the supporting surface  160  is stable and thus, the activity device does not rock in the deflection mode. When balls/implements  130  pass through the target portion  110  and break the sensor beam, the microprocessor unit  1780  generates lights and sounds. The balls/implements  130  then drop onto the convex surface  330  of the reversible base  150  and are deflected away from the activity device  100 . The child can then chase and retrieve the balls/implements  130  before placing them in the target portion  110  again.  FIG. 20  shows a ball/implement  130  in multiple positions as the ball contacts the convex surface  330  of the reversible base  150  and is directed away from the activity device  100 .  
         [0055]     The electronics assembly  1700  in accordance with the present invention may include any combination of sensors, switches, lights, speakers, animated members, motors, and sensory output generating devices. The microprocessor unit  1780  may produce any combination of audio and visual effects including, but not limited to, animation, lights, and sound (music, speech, and sound effects). The output pattern is not limited to that which is discussed herein and includes any pattern of music, lights, and/or sound effects. The electronics assembly  1700  may also include additional switches or sensors to provide additional sensory output activation without departing from the scope of the present invention.  
         [0056]     Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention that come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. For example, it is to be understood that terms such as “left”, “right” “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “rear”, “side”, “height”, “length”, “width”, “upper”, “lower”, “interior”, “exterior”, “inner”, “outer” and the like as may be used herein, merely describe points of reference and do not limit the present invention to any particular orientation or configuration.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0