Abstract:
A toy is provided that includes a body portion configured for attachment to a moveable object. An action portion is configured for temporary attachment to the body portion. An energy storage mechanism is attached to the action portion and is configured for storing energy in response to movement of the moveable object. A selectively operable portion of the toy is attached to the action portion, coupled to the energy storage mechanism and configured to be selectively operable when the action portion is disconnected from the body portion.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/045,449 filed Apr. 16, 2008. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to toys, and more specifically to toys powered by a battery recharged by child activity. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Numerous types of toys employ batteries to power lights, sounds and other features. A child may be entertained by playing with these toys, but the nature of the power used is hidden from the user. A toy which receives its power from kinetic energy generated by the child playing with the toy, however, can be an educational tool to teach about energy generation and energy conservation. Further, a toy which has features which are only present when kinetic energy is supplied by the child encourages a child to be active, which in turn, is beneficial to the child&#39;s health. Toys which require a user to create energy in order to power the toy&#39;s features educate children about energy generation, harness a child&#39;s kinetic energy that would otherwise be lost, do not depend on traditional sources of energy (batteries or fossil fuels), and encourage children to be active by rewarding activity with powered features. 
         [0004]    Accordingly, it is advantageous for children, their health and for the environment to provide a toy that encourages a child to participate in physical activity and to convert this activity into its power source. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the foregoing technical field and background. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0005]    In accordance with one embodiment a toy is provided that includes a body portion configured for attachment to a moveable object. An action figure is configured for temporary attachment to the body portion. An energy storage mechanism is attached to the action portion and is configured for storing energy in response to movement of the moveable object. A selectively operable portion of the toy is attached to the action portion, coupled to the energy storage mechanism and configured to be selectively operable when the action portion is disconnected from the body portion. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    The present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and wherein 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  illustrates the toy in its entirety mounted on a bicycle; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  illustrates details of the body portion of the toy mounted on bicycle handlebars; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  illustrates details of the energy generation portion of the toy; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  illustrates the attachment of the energy generation portion to the bicycle frame; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  illustrates the circuit between the dynamo and the body portion of the toy; 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  illustrates the temporary circuit between the dynamo and the battery; 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  illustrates the circuit between the battery and the action figure portion of the toy; 
           [0014]      FIGS. 8-11  illustrate, in side, front, back, and bottom views, respectively, the action figure portion of the toy; 
           [0015]      FIG. 12  illustrates, in exploded view, of the action figure portion of the toy; 
           [0016]      FIG. 13  illustrates how action figure can be controlled by a remote control; 
           [0017]      FIG. 14  illustrates, in exploded, cutaway view, how the action figure docks with the body portion of the toy; 
           [0018]      FIGS. 15 and 16  illustrate, in perspective view and back view, respectively, the body portion of the toy; 
           [0019]      FIG. 17  illustrates an enlarged detail of the LED array colored lens; 
           [0020]      FIG. 18  illustrates an enlarged detail of the LCD screen; 
           [0021]      FIG. 19  illustrates body portion of the toy as a camera; 
           [0022]      FIG. 20  illustrates body portion of the toy as a digital music player; 
           [0023]      FIGS. 21-24  illustrate, in side, front, back, and bottom views, respectively, an alternative version of the action figure portion of the toy; and 
           [0024]      FIGS. 25-28  illustrate, in side, front, back, and bottom views, respectively, a second alternative version of the action figure portion of the toy. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0025]    This application claims priority from Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/045,449 filed Apr. 16, 2008. 
         [0026]    The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. 
         [0027]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , toy  20  includes a body portion  24  configured for attachment on a bicycle  34  for example, on the handlebars  26 , or other child-propelled wheeled vehicle such as a scooter, cart, ride-on vehicle or the like. The body portion is connected to an energy generation portion  30  via cable  28 . The body portion can be in the shape of a vehicle such as a rocket ship, moon cruiser, car, plane or the like. The body portion serves as a docking station for an action  figure 22 . In accordance with an embodiment of the invention the action figure can be a robot, an alien, an animal or the like. For ease of discussion, but without limitation, toy  20  and variations thereof will be described and illustrated herein as a rocket ship body portion and a robot action figure adapted for use with a bicycle. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that this is for purposes of illustration only and that other body portions and action figures are also encompassed by the invention and such toy can be attached to other child-propelled wheeled vehicles besides bicycles. Other illustrative embodiments will be described below. 
         [0028]      FIG. 2  illustrates, in accordance with one embodiment, how the rocket ship body portion  24  is attached to bicycle handlebars  26 . In accordance with this embodiment rocket ship body portion  24  is securely mounted to bike handlebars  26  with recess  37  of the rocket ship body portion sitting on the middle point  36  of handlebars. The rocket ship body portion is held in this position by connector piece  38  and screw fasteners (not illustrated) or other conventional fastening mechanisms. The weight of the rocket ship body portion is comparable to many bicycle baskets, bells, and the like, so there is no added danger with having rocket ship body portion mounted to the bicycle handlebars in this manner. 
         [0029]      FIG. 3  illustrates, in exploded view, details of the energy generation portion of the toy in accordance with one embodiment. Energy generation portion  30  contains a dynamo  40 , with rotating axle  42 , contact knob  44 , left outer shell  46  and right outer shell  48 . Right outer shell  48  and left outer shell  46  are coupled together with suitable fasteners. Dynamo  40  is held inside the shells such that axle  42  protrudes through hole  50  in right outer shell  48 . Contact knob  44  is mounted on axle  42  such that when contact knob rotates, axle  42  rotates as well turning dynamo  40 . Dynamo electrical contacts  56  connect to cable  28 . 
         [0030]    As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , energy generation portion  30  is attached with a suitable fastener such as a bolt and nut through hole  51  and a front brake frame hole  52  on the bicycle frame. The energy generation portion is positioned on the bicycle so that contact knob  44  rests on top of wheel  32  and is configured to rotate when wheel  32  rotates. The energy generation portion  30  is electrically connected to rocket ship body portion  24  by cable  28 . Cable  28  is secured to the frame of the bicycle, for example, near the top of stem  54 , but with enough slack to allow handlebars to rotate freely without restraint from the cable. 
         [0031]    When energy generation mechanism  30  is securely affixed to the bicycle at hole  52 , contact knob  44  and dynamo axle  42  will rotate as the bicycle wheel rotates. The rotation of the dynamo axle generates DC current. When DC current is generated, it is transferred to the rocket ship body portion of toy  20  via cable  28 . 
         [0032]      FIGS. 5-7  illustrate circuits found in an embodiment of the invention. In  FIG. 5 , circuit  58  schematically illustrates circuit elements that are found between the energy generation portion  30  and the rocket ship body portion  24 . Power generated by the dynamo  40  when the bicycle wheel rotates can be utilized to powers speaker  60 , rear thruster lights  62 , LED array  64 , LCD screen  66  and the like (detailed below) that are selectively operable features resident on body portion  24 . Although the selectively operable features may vary from embodiment to embodiment, a circuit such as this preferably is present in all embodiments. The selectively operable features on the rocket ship body portion of the toy can be powered regardless of whether or not a robot action figure is docked, so long as the energy generation portion is correctly mounted and the bicycle wheel is in motion. 
         [0033]    When a robot action  figure 22  is docked in rocket ship body portion  24  of the toy, the energy generation portion is configured to power a second, temporary circuit  68  consisting of the dynamo and the rechargeable battery  70  in the robot action figure as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . Power from the dynamo charges the rechargeable battery. This circuit is only complete when a robot action figure is docked to the rocket ship body portion of the toy. 
         [0034]    Once the rechargeable battery  70  has charged past a minimum threshold, the battery is configured to provide power for circuit  72  in the robot action figure as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . Battery  70  is connected to selectively operable features such as energy indicator LED  74 , microprocessor  78 , speaker  80  which is activated by switch  84 , and motor  82 . This circuit, in some configuration, is present in the robot action figure whether or not the robot action figure is docked to the rocket ship body portion of the toy. The selectively operable features present in any action figure can vary from embodiment to embodiment. 
         [0035]      FIGS. 8-11  illustrate, in right side, front, back, and bottom views, respectively, details of robot action  figure 22  in accordance with one embodiment. Again, action  figure 22  is here illustrated, for purposes of ease of description but without limitation, as a robot action figure. Those of skill in the art will recognize that the action figure and the selectively operable features of the action figure can take different forms. In accordance with this embodiment the outside of robot action  figure 22  is made of front plastic shell  86  and back plastic shell  88 , which are connected by fasters at points  90 . Robot head  92  includes two antennae  94  which can rotate. Robot action figure also contains left leg  96 , right leg  98 , left arm  100 , and right arm  102 , which are all separate plastic pieces, held in places by front shell  86  and back shell  88 . Each leg contains a wheel  104  which can rotate. At the bottom of the feet are visible electrical contacts  106 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 12  illustrates internal components of the robot action figure in accordance with an embodiment of the invention including a circuit board assembly  114  upon which a circuit such as circuit  72  ( FIG. 7 ) can be implemented. Circuit board assembly  114  includes an energy storage mechanism, rechargeable battery  70 , mounted on circuit board  113  inside robot action  figure 22 . Also mounted on circuit board  113  are energy indicator LED  74 , switch  86 , IR receiver  77 , and microprocessor  78 . Also inside plastic shell are speaker  80 , electrical contacts  106 , motor  82 , and gear assembly  116 . 
         [0037]    As further illustrated in  FIG. 12 , button  108  rests above a switch on the circuit board (not illustrated in  FIG. 7 ). Button  108  has a clear portion  109 , surrounded by a solid colored ring  110 . Light from an energy indicator LED  74  can be seen through the clear portion  109  of button  108 . Speaker holes  112  are located above the button. 
         [0038]    Sounds from speaker  80  in the robot action figure can be activated by pressing button  108 . Different sounds are synthesized by microprocessor  78  depending on the power level in rechargeable battery  70 . “Happy” robot sounds are created when battery is more than two-thirds charged. Monotone robot sounds are created when battery is one-third to two-thirds charged. “Sad” robot sounds are played when battery is less than one third charged, prompting a child to recharge the rechargeable battery with further activity. Different action figures have different sounds as relates to their characters. 
         [0039]    Energy indicator LED  74  is preferably a tri-color LED and acts as a visual energy indicator. When rechargeable battery is fully charged, energy indicator LED  74  glows blue. When rechargeable battery is half-charged, energy indicator LED  74  glows green. When rechargeable battery energy level is nearly depleted, energy indicator LED  74  glows yellow. 
         [0040]    In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention motion and sound features on robot action  figure 22  can also be activated by remote control  118 , as illustrated in  FIG. 13  taken together with  FIG. 12 . Pressing button  120  on remote control  118  sends a signal received by IR receiver  77 , processed by microprocessor  78  which activates motor  82 . Motor  82  turns gear assembly  116  which turns wheels  104  so the robot spins. Pressing button  122  on remote control  118  sends a signal received by IR receiver  77 , processed by microprocessor  78  which activates speaker  80  to make sounds. Pressing both button  120  and button  122  together at the same time causes robot to spin and make a “Wheee” sound or the like. 
         [0041]    As illustrated in  FIG. 14  taken together with  FIGS. 1 ,  6  and  11 , rechargeable battery  70  is connected to battery contacts  106  located in the right leg  96  and left leg  98  of the robot action  figure 22 . These contacts have a concave profile  124  which mates with convex connectors  126  in the rocket ship body portion of the toy, as shown in  FIG. 14 . When robot action figure is docked to the rocket ship body portion, battery contacts  106  in the robot action figures legs  96 ,  98  make electrical contact with metal connectors  126  in the rocket ship body portion. Robot action  figure 22  is held in position by springs  128  in the rocket ship body portion of the toy. Springs  128  compress to release legs  96 ,  98  when robot action figure is pulled from rocket ship body portion of toy. The concave shape  124  and slight recession of the contacts  106  in robot action figure legs are a safety measure so that battery contacts are not exposed and cannot be easily contacted by a child. 
         [0042]    Connectors  126  in the rocket ship body portion are electrically connected to the energy generation mechanism. Thus the action of docking the robot action  figure 22  to rocket ship body portion  24  completes circuit  68  shown in  FIG. 6  between rechargeable battery  70  and dynamo  40 . 
         [0043]      FIGS. 15-16  illustrate optional details of the rocket ship body portion of the toy in perspective and rear views, respectively, in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 15 , for example, windshield  129  is clear so the robot action figure can “see through it”. 
         [0044]    As illustrated in  FIG. 16  the selectively operated features of the rocket ship body portion  24  are viewable from the back of the rocket so the child can see them while riding the bicycle. Energy from the rechargeable battery powers thruster lights  62 , imitation rocket sounds played through speaker holes  130 , an LED array  64 , and an LCD screen  66  in the rocket ship body portion of the toys. In accordance with one embodiment thruster lights  62  glow brighter and sounds through speaker holes  130  become louder as the speed of the wheel increases, providing positive feedback to the child for pedaling. 
         [0045]    In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention the LED array  64 , shown enlarged in  FIG. 17 , works as a speedometer display. As pedaling speed of the bicycle increases, more LEDs in the array light up, from left to right. The LEDs can be configured to shine through a multi-colored lens so that at slow speeds, the green portion  132  of the lens is lighted, at medium speeds the green portion  132  and yellow portion  134  are lighted, and at higher speeds, the green portion  132 , yellow portion  134 , and red portion  136  are lighted. 
         [0046]    In accordance with another embodiment the LCD screen  66  illustrated in  FIG. 16  turns on and displays information once pedaling starts. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 18 , the LCD screen can display distance traveled in numerals  138  and level of power created, displayed with a system of stars  140 . Each star represents a small unit of energy created. Pressing button  142  ( FIG. 16 ) toggles the display between distance and energy created, and pressing button  144  resets the information on the display to zero. 
         [0047]    The body portion of the toy can also be configured with alternative selectively operable functions as illustrated in  FIGS. 19 and 20 . For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 19 , in accordance with these embodiments, body portion  24  uses energy from the energy generation portion to power a digital camera (not illustrated) which takes pictures with lens  148  as child rides the bicycle. As illustrated in  FIG. 20 , energy from the energy generation portion powers a digital music player. Controls  152  control music track playback. 
         [0048]      FIGS. 21-24  and  25 - 28  illustrate alternative action figures  222  and  322 , respectively in accordance with alternative embodiments of the invention. Illustrated in  FIGS. 21-24  in side, front, back and bottom views respectively, is an alternate action figure, alien action  figure 222 . In accordance with one embodiment alien action  figure 222  has front plastic shell  156  and back plastic shell  158  as well as head  160 , right arm  162 , left arm  164 , and clear space visor  166 . The alien action figure has clear button  168  which reveals light from an energy indicator LED and that can be pressed for sounds to be played from speaker holes  170 . Alien action  figure 222  preferably has different sounds than robot action  figure 22  and makes different sounds depending on energy level in rechargeable battery  70 . Alien action  figure 222  has electrical contacts  172  in its legs and can be docked in rocket ship body portion  24  in the same way as robot action  figure 22 . 
         [0049]    Illustrated in  FIGS. 25-28  in side, front, back, and bottom views is a second alternate action figure, animal action  figure 322 . In accordance with one embodiment animal action  figure 322  has front plastic shell  176 , back plastic shell  178 , front legs  180 , and eyeball  182 . Eyeball  182  can freely rotate within front shell  178 . Animal action  figure 322  has clear button  184  which reveals energy indication LED and can be pressed for sounds to be played from speaker holes  186 . Animal action  figure 322  can be configured to have different sounds than robot action  figure 22  and alien action  figure 222  and makes different sounds depending on energy level in rechargeable battery  70 . Animal action  figure 322  has electrical contacts  188  in right rear leg  190  and left rear leg  192  and can be docked in rocket ship body portion  24  in the same way as robot action  figure 22 . 
         [0050]    All action figures can use the same circuit board assembly  114 , as illustrated in  FIG. 12 . When a child breaks the plastic shell of an action figure or outgrows the character of an action figure, the shell can be removed and circuit board assembly  114  can be placed in a new shell representing a new character. Discarded shells can be recycled. 
         [0051]    While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing the exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that various changes can be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims and the legal equivalents thereof.