Battery charger amusement device

• US RE42,469 E1
• Filed: 09/17/2008
• Issued: 06/21/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Zen Design Group Limited
• Original Assignee: Zen Design Group Limited
• Inventors: Perrin, David, Yu, Sun
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel; Rajnikant B
• Application Number:
  US12/218,055
• Time in Patent Office: 1,007 Days
• Field of Search: 320/106, 320/107, 320/113, 320/132, 320/115, 320/164, 320/137, 320/160, 320/117, 320/161, 320/110, 320/20, 320/39, 320/125, 446/356, 446/353, 446/457, 446/390, 429/49, 429/96, 429/100
• US Class Current: 320/137
• 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 housing configured in a form selected from the group consisting of;

humanoid, animate, vehicular and natural;

a dynamo powering a battery charger in electrical communication with a rechargeable battery, the battery having a charge status; and

a source of information communicated to a user and selected from the group consisting of;

sound, light, movement or a combination thereof for entertaining the user of the device, the information being independent of battery charge status.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the housing has a movable portion.

3. 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.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the source of information is light and light is generated by a light emitting diode.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the device comprises a video display.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein said housing has the humanoid form or the animate form of a figurine.

7. The device of claim 5 wherein said housing has the humanoid form or the animate form of a jack-in-the-box.

8. The device of claim 1 further comprising an activator switch for the source of information.

9. A battery charger amusement device comprising:

an electrically moved housing having the appearance of a vehicle;

a dynamo powering a battery charger in electrical communication with a rechargeable battery.

10. A battery charger amusement device comprising:

an electrically moved housing having the appearance of an animal;

a dynamo powering a battery charger in electrical communication with a rechargeable battery.

11. A battery charger amusement device comprising:

an electrically moved housing having the appearance of a person;

a dynamo powering a battery charger in electrical communication with a rechargeable battery.

12. A battery charger amusement device comprising:

an electrically moved housing having the appearance of a robot;

a dynamo powering a battery charger in electrical communication with a rechargeable battery.

13. A battery charger amusement device comprising:

an electrically moved housing having the appearance of an animated character;

a dynamo powering a battery charger in electrical communication with a rechargeable battery.

14. A battery charger amusement device comprising:

a battery charger having a rechargeable battery, the battery having a charge status;

an electronic circuit monitoring charge status;

a dynamo powering said battery charger;

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

15. The battery charger amusement device of claim 14 further comprising said electronic circuit communicating information to a user independent of charge status prior to the battery attaining the preselected charge status.

16. The device of claim 14 wherein the information is of a type selected from the group consisting of language, text, music, light, movement and video.

17. The device of claim 14 further comprising a housing.

18. The device of claim 14 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.

19. The device of claim 17 wherein said housing is configured in a form selected from the group consisting of humanoid, animate, vehicular and natural.