Technical Field Of The Invention

In general, the present invention relates to toys that move on a surface due to an internal vibrating mechanism. More particularly, the present invention relates to the structure of the toy and the internal compartment that retains the internal vibration mechanism.

Background Art

There are many toys that are designed to vibrate. Many of these toys use vibration mechanisms to move the toys across a surface. The vibration mechanism used within the toy often includes a small battery powered motor. The motor is used to turn an eccentric weight that is mounted to the motor. As the eccentric weight is rotated by the motor, a strong mechanical vibration is created that shares the same frequency as the rotational speed of the eccentric weight. Toys that utilize such vibration mechanisms are exemplified by U.S. Patent No.

4,941,857 to Fujimaki, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/100777 to Hsu.

In the prior art, the motor used to rotate the eccentric weight is typically positioned in the center of the toy. The eccentric weight rotates in a fixed compartment adjacent to the motor. The weight distribution within the toy and its center of gravity remains relatively constant so the

vibrations will not cause the toy to fall over.

Accordingly, the effects of the rotating weight on the overall toy remain relatively constant each time the motor is activated. The result is that each time the toy is utilized, the movements of the toy caused by the rotating weight remain standard and predictable .

Additionally, since the vibration mechanism is housed within the toy, the toy is set in shape and appearance. This limits the play value of the toy because a user can quickly become bored with the fixed appearance and fixed movement pattern embodied by the toy.

A need exists for a toy with an internal vibration mechanism that causes random and altering movement patterns as the toy is propelled along a surface. A need also exists for a toy with an internal vibration mechanism having a facade that can be altered, therein selectively changing the appearance of the toy.

These needs are met by the present invention as described and claimed below. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a vibrating toy assembly that can travel along a surface in an unpredictable pattern. The toy assembly is powered by a vibration mechanism. The vibration mechanism has a motor and batteries that are held within a housing. When the batteries power the motor, the motor turns an eccentric weight and vibrations are produced .

The vibration mechanism is set into a body casing or a base that is covered in a lightweight body casing. The body casing can be selectively changed to change the appearance of the toy.

The vibration mechanism causes the base and/or body casing to move. Movement is enhanced by providing an opening in the base or body casing that enables the vibration mechanism to directly contact the surface underlying the toy assembly. Once activated, the vibration mechanism vibrates and moves the toy assembly in random patterns.

Additionally, since the vibration mechanism is separate and distinct from the body casing,

different casings can be used to increase the play value of the vibrating toy assembly. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following description of exemplary embodiments thereof, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a partially exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of a vibrating toy assembly;

FIG. 2 shows a blank of paper used to form the body casing of the exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 1;

FIG. 4 shows two toy assemblies together with a ring to produce a game playset; FIG. 5 shows an alternate embodiment of a vibrating toy assembly; and

FIG. 6 shows an alternate embodiment of a vibrating toy assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Although the present invention toy assembly can have many embodiments, only three exemplary

embodiments are shown. The exemplary embodiments are selected in order to set forth three of the best modes contemplated for the invention. The

illustrated embodiments, however, are merely exemplary and should not be considered limitations when interpreting the scope of the claims .

Referring to Fig. 1 in conjunction with Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, a toy assembly 10 is shown. The toy assembly 10 includes a body casing 12 that defines a hollow internal compartment 14. The body casing 12 is made of folded paper or folded paperboard, wherein character graphics 16 are printed on the exterior of the body casing 12. The body casing 12 can be pre-formed or provided as a paper blank that folds like a box to form a three-dimensional structure. The body casing 12 can have many shapes. However, when folded, the body casing 12 has an open bottom 17 that provides access to the hollow internal compartment 14. Since the body casing 12 is little more than a paper blank with the character graphics 16 printed upon it, numerous different casings 12 can be sold with only one vibration mechanism 20 without significantly increasing the costs of manufacturing the overall product .

The character graphics 16 on the casing 12 can represent the body of a character. To add arms or other appendages to the casing 12, slots 19 can be formed in the body casing 12. Appendages 21, in the form of folded pieces of paperboard, can be inserted into the slots 19 so that the appendages 21 extend away from the body casing 12. The appendages 21, in addition to improving aesthetics, also prevent the casing 12 from falling flat in the directions of the extending appendages 21. Rather, should the body casing 12 fall forward, the extending appendages 21 can hold the body casing 12 at an inclined angle that enables the casing 12 to again stand upright if vibrated with the proper motion.

A base 23 is provided. The base 23 has a bottom plate 25 with a top surface and a support wall 27 that extends vertically from the top surface of the bottom plate 25. The support wall 27 is sized and shaped to pass into the open bottom 17 of the body casing 12, wherein the body casing 12 engages the support wall 27 with a friction fit. If desired, the friction connection can be supplemented with use of a tacky adhesive. However, it is desirable that the body casing 12 and the base 23 be selectively

separable .

The base 23 defines a vertical conduit 29. That is, there is a vertical conduit 29 that extends through the bottom plate 25 and up through the center of the support wall 27. When the toy assembly 10 is standing, the toy assembly 10 rests upon the bottom plate 25 of the base 23. As such, the

vertical conduit 29 is exposed to the underlying surface 31 that is below +the standing toy assembly 10.

The vertical conduit 29 forms a receptacle 33 that is sized and shaped to retain a vibration mechanism 20. When the vibration mechanism 20 is received within the receptacle 33, a small section of the vibration mechanism 20 extends through the vertical conduit 29 and beyond the bottom plate 25. Accordingly, when the toy assembly 10 is standing on the base 23, part of the vibration mechanism 20 contacts the underlying surface 31 below the base 23.

The vibration mechanism 20 has a motor 22 that rotates an eccentric weight 24, therein causing vibrations in a traditional manner. The motor 22 is powered by a battery 26. The flow of electricity from the battery 26 to the motor 22 is selectively controlled using an on/off switch 28. The motor 22, eccentric weight 24, battery 26 and on/off switch 28 are all retained in a housing 30. The housing 30 is received and retained by the receptacle 33 in the base 23. It will therefore be understood, that when the on/off switch 28 is turned "on", the motor 22 rotates the eccentric weight 24 and the entire housing 30 vibrates. This vibration is translated to the base 23 and the body casing 12 affixed to the base 23.

The housing 30 of the vibration mechanism 20 is elongated between a first end 32 and second end 34. As such, the housing 30 has a length that is significantly longer than its width. Furthermore, due to the position of the eccentric weight 24, the vibration mechanism 20 has a center of gravity that varies and is never at the geometric center of the housing 30. The result is that when the housing 30 of the vibration mechanism 20 is vertically stood on end, the vibration mechanism 20 is unstable and will naturally tend to fall to one side, even when not vibrating .

The vibration mechanism 20 is placed into the base 23. The base 23 is then inserted into the open bottom 17 of the body casing 12. The connection of the vibration mechanism 20 to the base 23 prevents the vibration mechanism 20 from falling and maintains the housing 30 of the vibration mechanism

20 in a vertical orientation.

It will be understood that as the vibration mechanism 20 vibrates, it moves and transfers energy to the base 23 and to the body casing 12. This causes the body casing 12 to move. The way the casing 12 moves depends upon the vibrational energy directly transferred to the base 23 and to the body casing 12 by the vibration mechanism 20. The movement of the body casing 12 also depends upon the interaction of the vibration mechanism 20 with the underlying surface 31 below the toy assembly 10. As such, each time the vibration mechanism 20 is activated, its effects upon the movement of the body casing 12 will differ. The results are movement patterns for the body casing 12 and the overall toy assembly 10 that are diverse, unpredictable, and always changing.

Referring to Fig. 4 in conjunction with Fig. 3, it can be seen that the toy assembly 10 can be marketed as part of a game playset 40. In the game playset 40, two or more toy assemblies 10 are set in a ring 42. The ring 42 can be a circle cut into a piece of paperboard. However, in the shown

embodiment, the ring 42 is a simple plastic ring.

What is of importance is that the ring 42 presents a physical barrier that prevents any toy assembly 10 from vibrating out of the ring 42. The ring 42 shown is circular. However, other geometries can be used, provided the ring 42 is continuous and provides no pathway out of the ring.

In play, two or more toy assemblies 10 are placed inside the ring 42 after their internal vibration mechanisms have been activated. The toy assemblies 10 will vibrate and will randomly move about in the area defined by the ring 42. The toy assemblies 10 will inevitably crash into one another. Depending upon the speed of the collision, the angle of the collision and the contact positions of the various appendages, one of the toy assemblies 10 will eventually knock over another. Once a toy assembly 10 is knocked over, it may self-right or it may not. This will depend upon its position and internal vibrations. If a toy assembly 10 does not self-right within a few seconds, it is counted out and eliminated from the game. It can be seen that the toy assemblies 10 can be used to create boxing matches, wrestling matches and any other play match where the last toy standing wins .

Referring to Fig. 5, an alternate embodiment of a toy assembly 50 is shown. In this embodiment, the same internal vibration mechanism 20 is used. As such, the vibration mechanism 20 is identified with the same reference number as was previously used. In this embodiment, the body casing 52 of the toy assembly 50 is shaped as a cylindrical tube. The body casing 52 is made by bending a blank of cut paper. A base 54 is provided that has a cylindrical support wall 56. An opening 58 in the center of the support wall 56 can serve directly as a receptacle that receives the vibration mechanism 20.

Graphics 60 are printed onto the body casing 52. Additionally, slots 62 are formed in the body casing 52 so that folded segments of paper 64 can serve as extending appendages .

Referring to Fig. 6, an alternate embodiment of a toy assembly 70 is shown. In this embodiment, the same internal vibration mechanism 20 is used. As such, the vibration mechanism 20 is identified with the same reference number as was previously used. In this embodiment, the body casing 72 is made of folded paper or folded paperboard, wherein character graphics 74 are printed on the exterior of the body casing 72. The body casing 72 has a bottom panel 76.

A window 78 is present in the bottom panel 76 that provides access to the hollow internal compartment

79 within the body casing 72. The vibration mechanism 20 can fit inside the internal compartment 79 of the body casing 72 in a multitude of different orientations. The orientation of the vibration mechanism 20 within the body casing 72 greatly affects the center of gravity for the overall toy assembly 70. In some orientations, the vibration mechanism 20 is leaning in a first

direction within the internal compartment 79. In other orientations, the vibration mechanism 20 leans in different directions. Furthermore, the angle of inclination against any of the walls of the body casing 72 can vary within a wide range. The range is typically between 10 degrees and 40 degrees. However, a larger range can be achieved if the internal compartment 79 is significantly larger than the vibration mechanism 20. However, the internal

compartment 79 should never be so large that the vibration mechanism 20 can fall flat against the bottom panel 76 of the body casing 72.

In some orientations, the vibration mechanism 20 rests in the windows 78 of the bottom panel 76 of the body casing 72. When in such an orientation, the vibration mechanism 20 can directly contact the underlying surface upon which the body casing 72 rests. In other orientations, the vibration mechanism 20 can rest upon the bottom panel 76 of the body casing 72.

It will be understood that as the vibration mechanism 20 vibrates, it moves and transfers energy to the body casing 72. This causes the body casing 72 to move. The way the body casing 72 moves depends upon the orientation of the vibration mechanism 20 within the body casing 72. The movement of the body casing 72 also depends upon whether or not the vibration mechanism 20 is resting in the window 78. As such, each time the vibration mechanism 20 is activated, its effects upon the movement of the body casing 72 will differ. Additionally, as the

vibration mechanism 20 vibrates, it changes its orientation within the body casing 72. As a

consequence, the effects of the vibration mechanism 20 on the movements of the body casing 72

continuously change as a function of time. The results are movement patterns for the body casing 72 and the overall toy assembly 70 that are diverse, unpredictable, and always changing.

It will be understood that the embodiments of the present invention that are illustrated and described are merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art can make many variations to those embodiments. All such alternate embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims .