Patent Abstract:
A battery charger amusement has a receptacle adapted to receive a rechargeable battery, an electronic circuit monitoring battery charge status, and a mechanical movement signal activated upon charge status attainment. The battery charger can include a motion actuator so as to move during the battery recharge process. The device is intended to encourage the use of rechargeable batteries over a disposable counterpart.

Full Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/101,907 filed Mar. 19, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,030,592 issuing Apr. 18, 2006, incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to a battery charger device activated by the insertion of a battery to provide educational or entertainment routines.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     The societal cost of disposable batteries will be felt for generations to come as leachants find their way into soil and ground water. While recent advances in dry cell technology have reduced the toxicity of corroding disposable batteries, the sheer quantity of discarded batteries represents a significant burden on landfills. Annual domestic consumption of disposable batteries exceeds 1.9 billion cells. In most instances, disposable batteries cost a consumer more over time than does a rechargeable battery, yet disposable batteries remain popular owing to the inconvenience of battery charging. Thus, there exists a need for a battery charger device that provides communication with the user other than battery charge status so as to encourage the battery charge. It is intended that with the usage of the present invention, chargeable batteries displace ever more disposable cells.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     A battery charger amusement device includes a battery charger having a receptacle adapted to receive a rechargeable battery. A battery recharge electronic circuit monitors the charge status of a battery placed in the receptacle. A mechanical movement signal is activated by the battery attaining a preselected charge status. The device housing is configured as an attractive item retained in sight when not in use. The mechanical movement signal of having a battery or inventive device portion pop up, begin or stop mechanical movement based on preselected battery charge status alerts a user of charge status attainment and encourages device usage. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0005]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a battery charger amusement device according to the present invention;  
         [0006]      FIG. 2  is a flowchart depicting a use process for the present invention; and  
         [0007]      FIG. 3  is a partial cutaway perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a battery charger amusement device according to the present invention. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0008]     The present invention is intended to add amusement value to the task of battery charging. Upon a rechargeable battery being coupled to an inventive device, an electronic circuit is activated that communicates information independent of charge status to a user. The form and content of the information so supplied is not critical. In an alternate embodiment, the present invention contains an electronic circuit that monitors battery charge status and triggers a mechanical movement signal to indicate that the battery has achieved a preselected charge status. The housing for the inventive device can take on any shape and color and be modeled into any number of humanoid, animal, vehicle, imaginary or natural forms. Similarly, the housing texture and materials of construction are not critical limitations.  
         [0009]     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a battery charger amusement device according to the present invention is shown generally at  10 . The device includes a conventional battery charger  12  including a receptacle  14  adapted to receive at least one rechargeable battery B. The insertion of a battery B into the receptacle  14  (shown in ghost) or a manual action activates a mechanical or electrical switch  16  which in turn initiates an electronic circuit  18  to begin the communication of information independent of charge status. It is appreciated that any number of conventional battery chargers is operative herein upon modification to include a switch  16 . Representative of the battery chargers operative herewith are those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,237,409. Typical of a conventional battery charger is a graphical icon  19  or LED  19 ′ indicative of the charge status of a battery B. It is appreciated that the size and type of battery B is not critical to the present invention. For example, nickel-cadmium, metal hydride, acid, and polymeric batteries are operative herein. Operative battery sizes illustratively include 24 volt, 12 volt, 9 volt, AAA, AA, B, C, and D sized cells. Power sources to drive the battery charger  12  and the electronic circuit  18  include line power, a direct current generator, a dynamo and solar cell. It is appreciated that a transformer or adaptor  20  is often required based on the power characteristics of the source P. Optionally, an inventive battery charger  12  further includes an alternating current (AC) coupler as the transformer or adaptor  20 .  
         [0010]     The electronic circuit  18  in simplest form integrates a light source, laser diode or other electronic component so as to communicate sound or light information stored within the device on an integrated circuit or on a replaceable memory storage device to a user upon insertion of a battery B. The inventive device communicates information upon insertion of a rechargeable battery or through any activation switch being engaged. In alternate embodiments, the device communicates information in the form of spoken utterances or motion. Optionally, electronic circuit  18  is coupled to an information communicating component illustratively including an electric motor, a light source, a video display, a sound synthesizer, or combination thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the electronic circuit  18  includes a microprocessor (not shown) to facilitate more sophisticated communication. In a still more preferred embodiment, a microprocessor is coupled to a memory or data reading device, illustratively including a DRAM chip, CD player, DVD, hard drive, floppy disk drive, and cassette player, and combinations thereof. In still another preferred embodiment, the electronic circuit  18  is coupled to a user input interface  26 . A user input interface  26  provides for an interactive question and answer format between a user and the inventive device, or data entry or icon manipulation as part of a gaming system.  
         [0011]     The inventive device preferably includes a housing  28 . Preferably, the housing is configured to have the appearance of a person, robot, animated character, animal, a vehicle or an object found in nature such as a mountain, tree, or a diorama. The housing  28  is really constructed from a variety of durable materials consistent with proximity to electronic circuitry and a battery charger. These housing materials illustratively include plastics, polymeric resins, textile plush, metal, and recycled forms thereof. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 , the housing  28  is configured in the form of a robot having moveable jointed appendages  29 , LEDs  30 , a sound synthesizer (not shown), and a video display  31  of which are activated engaging a switch  33  or upon insertion of a battery B therein. Optionally, the device of  FIG. 1  further includes an information memory or reader device (not shown) for the uploading of information content and programs, as well as a user input keypad illustratively including a compact disk (CD) player, DVD, floppy disk drive, ZIP disk drive and the like. The embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1  preferably also includes a microprocessor (not shown) operating to drive the information communicating functions. It is appreciated that somewhere all of these information communicating components can be incorporated into a different form of housing illustratively including a drive-in movie theater, racing pit-stop, or service station where the spent battery B is loaded into a receptacle incorporated into a model car or other portion of the housing.  
         [0012]     It is appreciated that in addition to the entertainment or educational information content provided by the inventive device, in a preferred embodiment, information regarding the battery charge status is also provided as per a conventional battery charger. As is conventional to battery chargers, a battery B is monitored as to voltage and current during the charging process.  
         [0013]     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the operation of an inventive battery charger amusement device coupled to a power source is initiated by placing a rechargeable battery into a battery rechargeable receptacle  30  for a charging duration or by a user activation switch  33 . The contact of the rechargeable battery B with the battery charger or the activation switch  33  initiates an electronic circuit  32  optionally receiving content or executable programs from a memory device or reader  34 . The electronic circuit then begins to communicate information to a user independent of the battery charge status  36 . The information is in the form of spoken utterances, music, light or movement. Preferably, battery charge status information is also provided  38 . Battery charge status as used herein is defined to include contact with battery charger terminals, ability of battery to accept a charge, and the dynamic current and voltage status of the battery. User inputs  40  are prompted by the inventive device and knowledge for coordination-based interactive game formats.  
         [0014]     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a battery charger amusement device according to the present invention that affords mechanical notice of battery charge status is shown generally at  50  where like numerals correspond to those aspects detailed herein with respect to  FIG. 1  or  2 . The device  50  has a receptacle  52  adapted to receive at least one rechargeable battery B. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 3 , the receptacle  52  is within a caddy  54 . The caddy  54  having charging contacts  56  mateable with complementary contacts  55  in electrical communication with a conventional battery charger shown generally at  58  located within a housing  28 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 3 , the housing  28  is simulative of a toaster and the battery caddy  54  simulative of a bread slice. Upon insertion of the caddy  54  into an aperture  60  of the housing  28 , the charging contacts  56  bring the rechargeable battery B into electrical communication with the battery charger  58 . As is conventional to battery chargers, battery charge status is evaluated prior to the initiation of battery charging. The cradle  54  upon being placed in the aperture  60  of the housing  28  engages a raising mechanism  62 . The raising mechanism  62  depicted in  FIG. 3  includes a spring-loaded tray  64  coupled to a lever  66 . However, it is appreciated that a motor driven rack gear, or other conventional means for raising the caddy  54  relative to the housing  28 , is also operative herein. The battery charger circuitry  58  is coupled to a charging source such as line power by way of a detachable cord  67 . Preferably, an analog dial  69  is provided within the housing  28  to provide the battery charger  58  with battery type information. It is appreciated that battery type information is alternately communicated to the battery charger through the use of a caddy  54  selective for each of a variety of rechargeable battery types. A light emitting diode indicator  70  illuminates while battery recharging is in progress.  
         [0015]     In actual operation, the battery caddy  54  is loaded into a recharger aperture such that the caddy rests upon a spring-loaded tray  64 . The tray  64  has a cutout in the base thereof such that charging contacts  56  protrude from beneath the tray  64 . Upon pressing the caddy  54  into the aperture in order to compress a spring  76  coupled to an external lever  78 , a catch  80  anchored to the toaster housing engages the spring loaded tray  74  after the caddy contacts  56  are electrically coupled to complementary contacts  55 . The contacts  55  in turn being electrically coupled to the battery recharger circuitry  58 . Upon coupling between the caddy  54  by way of contacts  56  to the complementary contacts  55 , and the verification by battery recharger  58 , the LED indicator  70  is illuminated. Upon a battery B completing recharge in inventive recharger  50 , the battery recharger  58  activates a solenoid to release the catch and thereby allow the spring loaded tray  64  to eject the caddy  54  from the receptacle. The caddy  54  projecting from the aperture signals to a user the completion of the recharge process. It is appreciated that in addition to a solenoid releasing a catch, other conventional electrical components are operative herein to simulate the action of a toaster and allow the caddy  54  to project from the aperture. In an alternate embodiment, the receptacle  55  is incorporated into the spring-loaded tray  64 . The contacts  55  are in electrical communication with the battery charger  58  by way of leads sufficiently long to accommodate the travel of the contacts  55  within the housing  50 . It is appreciated that in an alternate embodiment of an inventive battery charger that affords mechanical notice of charge status, and in particular completion of battery recharge, that a caddy need not be used but rather the batteries inserted directly into a charger affording mechanical notice of charge status. In still another inventive embodiment, the charger is configured in the form of a “jack-in-the-box” with a portion thereof being projected in order to signify the completion of charging. Still other configurations include a coffee maker type design where a powder or liquid material moves from one region of the recharger to another consistent with the progression of battery recharge. Still other embodiments illustratively include a carousel that revolves only during battery recharging, a figurine that changes orientation or movement consistent with charge status, and the like that are consistent with the invention as detailed herein. It is further appreciated that one skilled in the art will readily recognize that various spring-loaded and mechanized toys and appliances are readily coupled to a battery charger as detailed herein such that mechanical notice is provided consistent with battery charge status and in particular, the completion of battery recharge.  
         [0016]     All references cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference was individually and specifically incorporated by reference. These references are indicative of the levels of skill in the art at the time of invention.  
         [0017]     A particular embodiment of the invention having been detailed herein, it is appreciated the changes and modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. The embodiments described herein are considered exemplary and not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0