Battery charger amusement device

• US 6,995,542 B2
• Filed: 06/20/2003
• Issued: 02/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Zen Design Group Limited
• Original Assignee: Sun Yu, Zen Design Group Limited
• Inventors: Yu, Sun, Perrin, David A.
• Primary Examiner(s): CHACE, CHRISTIAN
• Application Number:
  US10/600,260
• Publication Number:
  US 20040051501A1
• Time in Patent Office: 963 Days
• Field of Search: 320/113, 320/107, 320/112, 320/115, 320/132, 320/137, 320/114, 320/134, 320/136, 429/96, 429/100, 446/175, 446/457, 446/390, 446/356
• US Class Current: 320/113
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 13/00 Toy figures with self-moving parts, with or without movement of the toy as a whole
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 29/22 Electric drives power supply through track A63H18/12
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 3/50 Frames, stands, or wheels for dolls or toy animals
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence

Abstract

A battery charger amusement has a receptacle adapted to receive a rechargeable battery, an electronic circuit monitoring battery charge status, and a mechanical movement signal activated upon charge status attainment. The battery charger can include a motion actuator so as to move during the battery recharge process. The device is intended to encourage the use of rechargeable batteries over a disposable counterpart.

Claims

1. A battery charger amusement device comprising:

a battery charger having a receptacle adapted to receive a rechargeable battery, the battery having a charge status;

an electronic circuit monitoring charge status;

a mechanical movement signal activated upon the battery attaining a preselected charge status as measured by said electronic circuit; and

a second electronic circuit communicating information to a user independent of charge status prior to the battery attaining the preselected charge status.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising an AC coupler.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the battery is selected from a group consisting of:

AAA, AA, B, C, D and 9 volt.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said electronic circuit further comprises a microprocessor.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the information is of a type selected from the group consisting of language, text, music, light, movement and video.

6. The device of claim 1 further comprising a housing.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein said mechanical movement signal is selected from a group consisting of:

release of a spring, activation of an electric drive motor to create a mechanical movement, deactivation of said electrical motor, and movement of a liquid or powder.

8. The device of claim 6 wherein said housing is configured in a form selected from the group consisting of humanoid, animate, vehicular and natural.

9. The device of claim 1 further comprising a light.

10. The device of claim 1 further comprising a user input interface to said electronic circuit.

11. A process for charging a battery comprising:

placing a rechargeable battery into a device according to claim 1 for a charging duration;

receiving a mechanical movement signal from said device indicating charge status of the battery; and

removing the battery from said device after the charging duration.

12. A battery charger amusement device comprising:

a battery charger having a receptacle adapted to receive a rechargeable battery, the battery having a charge status;

an electronic circuit activated by the rechargeable battery being inserted into the receptacle, said electronic circuit monitoring charge status;

a spring compressed by the rechargeable battery being inserted into the receptacle; and

a spring release triggered by said electronic circuit in response to the charge status of the battery.

13. The device of claim 12 further comprising an AC coupler.

14. The device of claim 12 wherein the battery is selected from a group consisting of:

AAA, AA, B, C, D and 9 volt.

15. The device of claim 12 further comprising a housing.

16. The device of claim 15 wherein said housing is configured in a form selected from the group consisting of an appliance, a jack-in-the-box, and a figurine.

17. The housing of claim 15 further comprising a light.

18. The device of claim 12 further comprising a second electronic communicating information independent of charge status.

19. The device of claim 12 further comprising a battery caddy electrically intermediate between the battery and said receptacle.