Amusement device

• US 6,702,644 B1
• Filed: 11/13/2000
• Issued: 03/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: All Season Toys, Inc.
• Original Assignee: All Season Toys, Inc.
• Inventors: McGowan, Joseph L., Stuemke, Chad P., Wolfinbarger, Ryan A., Emde, Jason E., Benson, Marcellus R., Hornsby, James R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hughes, S. Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): RADA, ALEX P
• Application Number:
  US09/711,484
• Time in Patent Office: 1,212 Days
• Field of Search: 446/330, 446/310, 446/268, 446/72-73, 446/75, 446/297, 446/175, 446/369, 446/304, 446/335
• US Class Current: 446/330
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 2200/00 Computerized interactive toys, e.g. dolls
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 3/008 Dolls capable of simulating pregnancy or birth

Abstract

The present invention provides an interactive amusement device which gives birth to one or more offspring, wherein the device includes appropriate electromechanical interactive sensors and operating mechanisms. It encompasses a “mother” amusement device which is interactive with a user, and which appears to give birth spontaneously to one or more “baby” amusement devices. In some embodiments, the mother and baby(ies) may be interactive with the user and each other.

Claims

1. An amusement device comprising:

(a) a first figure comprising;

(i) a body defining a body cavity; and

(ii) a container receivable in the body cavity, the container having a container cavity and a container opening defined by a container wall, wherein the container is configured to be movable between a closed position within the body cavity and an open position wherein the container cavity is accessible; and

(b) a second figure receivable in and removable from the container cavity when the container is in the open position.

2. The amusement device of claim 1 further comprising an operating mechanism operably coupled to the container, the operating mechanism configured to move the container between the closed and open positions.

3. The amusement device of claim 1 wherein the first figure is interactive.

4. The amusement device of claim 3 wherein the second figure is interactive.

5. The amusement device of claim 1 wherein the first and second figures are digitally interactive with each other and with a user.

6. The amusement device of claim 5, wherein the first and second figures are digitally interactive with ambient conditions.

7. An amusement device comprising:

(a) a parent figure comprising;

(i) an internal structure defining an internal cavity accessible through an opening in the internal structure;

(ii) a skin covering at least a portion of the internal structure;

(iii) a housing receivable in the internal cavity, the housing defining a housing cavity and being configured to be movable between a closed position wherein a housing wall is configured to block the opening and an open position wherein the housing cavity is accessible through the opening; and

(iv) an operating mechanism operably coupled to the housing, the operating mechanism configured to move the housing between the closed and open positions; and

(b) a child figure receivable in and removable from the container cavity when the container is in the open position.

8. The amusement device of claim 7 further comprising a microprocessor operably coupled to the operating mechanism, the microprocessor configured to actuate the operating mechanism.

9. The amusement device of claim 8 further comprising one or more inputs operably coupled to the microprocessor, the one or more inputs configured to provide information to the microprocessor.

10. The amusement device of claim 7 wherein the movement of the housing between the closed and open positions is independent of intentional user input.

11. The amusement device of claim 7 wherein the operating mechanism comprises an electric motor.

12. The amusement device of claim 11 wherein the body of the parent figure further comprises movable portions.

13. The amusement device of claim 12 wherein the movable portions move in response to one of a sensed condition and a user input.

14. The amusement device of claim 13 wherein the parent figure is adapted to provide a visual output.

15. The amusement device of claim 7 wherein the parent and child figures are interactive with each other and with a user.

16. The amusement device of claim 7 wherein the parent and child figures further comprise sensors whereby they interact with each other.

17. The amusement device of claim 7 wherein the parent figure is adapted to emit sound.

18. The amusement device of claim 7 wherein the skin includes a pouch generally overlying the opening.

19. The amusement device of claim 7 wherein the housing is permanently locked in the closed position when moved to the closed position from the open position.

20. The amusement device of claim 7 wherein the housing is releaseably lockable in the open position and releaseably lockable in the closed position.

21. The amusement device of claim 7 wherein the housing is pivotably movable between the closed position and the open position.