Animated novelty device

• US 8,286,987 B2
• Filed: 12/27/2011
• Issued: 10/16/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Evoke Ventures, LLC
• Original Assignee: Evoke Ventures, LLC
• Inventors: Campbell, Brian J., Chesnicka, Daniel J., McIntyre, Mark J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Morris, Lesley D
• Assistant Examiner(s): YEAGLEY, DANIEL S
• Application Number:
  US13/337,513
• Publication Number:
  US 20120151810A1
• Time in Patent Office: 294 Days
• Field of Search: 280/159, 280/422, 280/507, 446/153, 446/154, 446/158, 446/175, 446/199, 446/232, 446/288, 446/330, 446/331, 446/333, 446/335, 446/338, 446/156, 362/485, 405/90, 405/91, D12/162, 43/262, 273/448, 472/70
• US Class Current: 280/507
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/60 Covers, caps or guards , e.g. comprising anti-theft devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2661 mounted on parts having other functions on wheels B60Q1/326
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/44 for indicating braking action or preparation for braking, e.g. by detection of the foot approaching the brake pedal

Abstract

An animated novelty device for mounting on a ball of a trailer hitch on a vehicle, the device including an electric motor for imparting motion to selected elements of the device. The motor is electrically connected to the vehicle braking system whereby the device is set in motion by energizing the vehicle brakes.

Claims

1. An animated novelty device for mounting on a ball of a trailer hitch on a vehicle, the device comprising:

an electric motor for imparting motion to selected elements of the device, the motor being electrically connected to a controlled electric power line of the vehicle whereby the device is set in motion by energizing the controlled electric power line;

an elastic receptacle shaped and dimensioned to fit over the ball of the trailer hitch, the elastic receptacle is a cup-like structure with a plurality of slots allowing sides of the receptacle to expand and contract; and

a gear box connected to the receptacle, the electric motor being connected to the gear box.

2. The animated novelty device of claim 1 wherein the controlled electric power line comprises a brake light energizing line.

3. The animated novelty of claim 1 wherein the device is configured to resemble a fish with the trailer hitch ball in the mouth of the fish.

4. The animated novelty device of claim 3 wherein the selected elements of the device comprise a tail and a portion of the fish body.

5. The animated novelty device of claim 4 wherein the motion imparted to the selected elements comprising a waving of the tail of the fish.

6. The animated novelty device of claim 3 and including a self-latching hitch ball receiver attached within the mouth of the fish.

7. The animated novelty device of claim 1 wherein the device is configured to resemble a deer seated on the trailer ball hitch.

8. The animated novelty device of claim 7 wherein the motion imparted to the device comprises repetitive raising and lowering of the fore limbs of the deer.

9. An animated decorative cover for a vehicle trailer hitch, comprising:

a cover shaped and colored to resemble an animatable object;

a mounting device incorporated into the cover for enabling attachment of the cover to a vehicle trailer hitch, the mounting device being an elastic receptacle shaped and dimensioned to fit over the vehicle trailer hitch, the elastic receptacle is a cup-like structure with a plurality of slots allowing sides of the receptacle to expand and contract;

a gear box incorporated into the cover and an electric motor attached to the gear box for driving an output shaft of the gear box, the gear box being connected to the receptacle;

an apparatus coupled to the output shaft for imparting a selected motion to at least a portion of the cover when the motor is energized; and

means connecting the electric motor to a brake light system of the vehicle for energizing the electric motor upon actuation of a brake system of the vehicle.

10. The decorative cover of claim 9 wherein the mounting device comprises a sleeve seated within the cover and adapted to fit over a ball of a trailer hitch.

11. The decorative cover of claim 10 wherein the sleeve includes an elastic fit for frictionally retaining the cover on the ball.

12. The decorative cover of claim 9 wherein the animatable object is an animal representation.

13. The decorative cover of claim 9 wherein the animatable object is a fish representation.

14. The decorative cover of claim 9 wherein the animatable object is a mechanical device representation.