Toy and module therefor

• US 9,295,921 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2014
• Issued: 03/29/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pluto OPCO LLC
• Original Assignee: Doskocil Manufacturing Company Incorporated (Petmate Holdings Co.)
• Inventors: Renforth, Jack William, Burger, Kyle Douglas, Oblack, Mark, Frickland, Peter Owen, Wills, Ryan
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, Gene
• Assistant Examiner(s): PENG, RAYSHUN K.
• Application Number:
  US14/211,848
• Publication Number:
  US 20140308875A1
• Time in Patent Office: 746 Days
• Field of Search: 446/485, 446/175, 446/219, 446/484, 446/220, 446/570, 74/55
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/22 Optical, colour, or shadow toys puzzles with optical elements A63F9/0613; kaleidoscopes G02B27/08
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/26 Magnetic or electric toys electric drives A63H29/22 ; indoor games played with small balls using magnetic power A63F7/0088, A63F7/068
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/008 Leisure, hobby or sport articles, e.g. toys, games or first-aid kits; Hand tools; Toolboxes
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

A module structured for use with a toy is provided. The module includes a light emitting assembly. The light emitting assembly has a circuit board and a battery assembly. The battery assembly includes an attachment portion coupled to the circuit board and an end portion opposite the attachment portion. The module further includes a housing, the housing having a containing portion and a stabilizing portion extending from the containing portion at a junction. The stabilizing portion is structured to engage the toy and the containing portion is located on the light emitting assembly. The end portion is located between the junction and the circuit board.

Claims

1. A module structured for use with a toy, the module comprising:

a light emitting assembly comprising a circuit board, a number of light emitting diodes disposed on said circuit board, and a battery assembly, said battery assembly comprising an attachment portion coupled to said circuit board and an end portion opposite said attachment portion; and

a housing comprising a containing portion and a stabilizing portion extending from said containing portion at a junction, the stabilizing portion being structured to engage the toy, the containing portion being disposed on said light emitting assembly;

wherein the end portion is disposed between said junction and said circuit board;

wherein the containing portion comprises an elongated member comprising a distal portion disposed opposite and distal from the junction;

wherein each of the number of light emitting diodes is disposed between the distal portion and the junction; and

wherein each of the number of light emitting diodes is spaced from at least one of the distal portion and the junction.

2. The module of claim 1 wherein

said circuit board comprises a first side and a second side opposite said first side;

wherein said attachment portion of said battery assembly is coupled to said first side;

wherein said light emitting assembly further comprises a switch; and

wherein said switch extends from said second side and is structured to energize said number of light emitting diodes.

3. The module of claim 2 wherein

said switch is structured to move between a first position and a second position;

wherein in said first position said number of light emitting diodes are de-energized and in said second position said number of light emitting diodes are energized; and

wherein as said switch moves between said first position and said second position, said battery assembly remains fixed with respect to the circuit board.

4. The module of claim 2 wherein

each of said number of light emitting diodes extends a first distance from the second side of said circuit board;

wherein said switch extends a second distance from the second side of said circuit board, the second distance being greater than the first distance;

wherein each of said number of light emitting diodes is entirely disposed between the distal portion and the junction.

5. The module of claim 1 wherein

the stabilizing portion comprises another elongated member extending from said junction, said another elongated member having a through hole being structured to receive a corresponding portion of the toy.

6. The module of claim 5 further comprising

a damping pad disposed between said end portion of said battery assembly and said junction, said pad substantially overlying said through hole.

7. The module of claim 1 wherein

said containing portion further comprises a platform extending radially from said elongated member;

wherein said end portion of said battery assembly has an end surface facing said platform.

8. The module of claim 7 wherein

said platform is annular shaped and has an inner diameter;

and wherein said end surface is generally circular shaped and has a diameter greater than the inner diameter of said platform.

9. The module of claim 7 wherein

said stabilizing portion comprises another generally cylindrical shaped elongated member having a diameter greater than said inner diameter of said platform.

10. The module of claim 1 wherein

said elongated member has a generally cylindrical outer surface having a plurality of elongated external brace members extending outwardly therefrom.

11. The module of claim 10 further comprising

a damping pad having a plurality of arms;

wherein said elongated member comprises a generally cylindrical inner surface opposite said outer surface, said inner surface having a plurality of elongated internal brace members extending inwardly therefrom; and

wherein each of said arms of said damping pad is disposed between a corresponding one of the internal brace members and said light emitting assembly.

12. A toy comprising:

a module comprising

a light emitting assembly comprising a circuit board and a battery assembly, the battery assembly comprising an attachment portion coupled to the circuit board and an end portion opposite the attachment portion, and

a housing comprising a containing portion and a stabilizing portion extending from the containing portion at a junction, the stabilizing portion being structured to engage the toy, the containing portion being disposed on the light emitting assembly;

a ball having an aperture extending partially therethrough; and

a cap retained within the aperture,

the end portion being disposed between the junction and the circuit board,

the circuit board comprising a first side and a second side opposite said first side, the attachment portion of the battery assembly being coupled to the first side, the light emitting assembly further comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes disposed on the circuit board and a switch, the switch extending from the second side and being structured to energize the light emitting diodes, the cap comprising an outer surface, an inner surface disposed opposite the outer surface, and a protrusion extending in a direction generally away from the inner surface and engaging the switch.

13. The toy of claim 12 wherein

the containing portion has an end portion disposed in a plane, the inner surface of the cap being coplanar with the plane, the protrusion being generally disposed between the switch and the plane.

14. The toy of claim 12 wherein

the aperture has a first end portion disposed proximate the cap and a second end portion opposite the first end portion, the ball comprising a component disposed proximate the second end portion, the component being elongated in a direction generally collinear with the protrusion of the cap.

15. The toy of claim 14 wherein

the stabilizing portion comprises an elongated member extending from the junction, the elongated member having a through hole, the component extending through the through hole of the elongated member.

16. The toy of claim 14 wherein

the containing portion comprises a generally cylindrical shaped elongated member and an annular platform extending radially from the member, the end portion of the battery assembly having an end surface facing the platform, the component extending through the platform.

17. The toy of claim 12 wherein

the containing portion comprises a generally cylindrical outer surface having a plurality of external brace members extending outwardly therefrom, the ball comprising a cylindrical shaped inner surface, each of the plurality of brace members being disposed between the cylindrical shaped inner surface of the ball and the generally cylindrical outer surface of the containing portion.

18. The toy of claim 17 wherein

the aperture is generally cylindrical shaped and has a center line, each of the plurality of brace members being elongated in a direction parallel to the center line.

19. The toy of claim 12 wherein

the protrusion extends into the containing portion and moves the switch between a first position and a second position.

20. The toy of claim 14 wherein

the elongated component is spaced from each of the plurality of light emitting diodes and the circuit board.