Sound-effects generating device with bipolar magnetic switching for activity devices

• US 6,623,326 B2
• Filed: 12/19/2001
• Issued: 09/23/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hasbro Inc.
• Original Assignee: Hasbro Inc.
• Inventors: Judkins, Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): Banks, Derris H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ABDELWAHED, ALI F
• Application Number:
  US10/025,073
• Publication Number:
  US 20030114072A1
• Time in Patent Office: 643 Days
• Field of Search: 446/175, 446/130, 446/131, 446/134
• US Class Current: 446/175
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 2200/00 Computerized interactive toys, e.g. dolls
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/425 Toy space systems, e.g. satellites, space ships
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 5/00 Musical or noise- producing devices for additional toy effects other than acoustical musical tops A63H1/28; sound-producing dolls A63H3/28; musical toy vehicles A63H17/268; acoustical vehicle-signalling devices A63H17/32; whistling toy locomotive arrangements A63H19/14; music, sound or noise production in general G10

Abstract

A sound producing unit and a light emitting unit are provided in the toy body so as to be actuated when combined proximally with another toy body. A battery-powered, electro-mechanical device includes a bipolar magnet, which automatically generates sound-effects and flashing lights depending on its position. The stimulus may include at least one of a sound producing unit or a flashing light emitting unit arranged in at least one of the proximally located combined toy vehicle bodies. The device includes an actuator/sensor, an electronic circuit board, a sound-effects generator, an amplifier, a speaker, LED lamps and driver. Combinable toy vehicles and the like include toy vehicle bodies such as battling starships with at least one detachably combined toy adapted to actuate a stimulus appealing to the sense such as at least one of a sound producing unit and a light emitting unit arranged in at least one of the toys and the proximally located combined toy.

Claims

1. A combinable special effects unit comprising:

a housing;

at least one magnet assembly comprising a polarized magnetic force field proximally combined with said housing;

an actuator/sensor assembly within said housing comprising a bipolar magnet, a pair of conductive elements sandwiching the bipolar magnet, and an electrically conductive member attracted by way of the polarized magnetic force field to adhere to one of the conductive elements with dependence upon the polarized magnetic force field of the magnet assembly;

a stimulus producing transducer for producing at least one predetermined audible or visual stimulus; and

a circuit for interconnecting the actuator/sensor assembly and the stimulus producing transducer such that the polarized magnetic force field of the magnet assembly proximally combined with said housing relative to the actuator/sensor assembly will activate the stimulus producing transducer, wherein the stimulus emanates from at least one of an audible unit or a visual unit coupled with said housing.

2. A special effects unit as recited in claim 1, wherein said stimulus producing transducer comprises at least one of a sound producing unit and a light emitting unit.

3. A special effects unit as recited in claim 2, wherein the polarized magnetic force field of said magnet assembly comprises a particular N/S polarization, and wherein combination of said magnet assembly with said housing permits said sound producing unit to produce a sound indicative of said magnet assembly with dependence upon the polarized magnetic force field.

4. A special effects unit as recited in claim 1, wherein said housing comprises an imitation of a toy vehicle, said magnet assembly being provided within another toy vehicle.

5. A special effects unit as recited in claim 4, comprising a plurality of magnet assemblies proximally combinable with said housing.

6. A combinable special effects unit as recited in claim 1, comprising a timer associated with a sound-effects generator for controlling a rotating sound pattern.

7. A combinable special effects unit as recited in claim 2, wherein said stimulus producing transducer comprises LEDs positioned on said housing, activated to flash at fixed or variable duty cycles relative to said magnet assembly proximally combinable with said housing.

8. A combinable special effects unit as recited in claim 7, wherein said magnet assembly is mounted on or incorporated into a moving object or vehicle.

9. A combinable special effects unit as recited in claim 8, wherein the object or vehicle comprises a toy star fighter.

10. A combinable special effects unit as recited in claim 6, wherein said sound-effects generator generates electronically generated sirens, laser cannons, phasers, and other sounds including signature phrases.