Amusement devices: toys – Toy money box
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-22
2001-01-09
Ricci, John (Department: 3712)
Amusement devices: toys
Toy money box
C472S072000, C472S137000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06171167
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a currency bank. More particularly, the instant invention relates to a novelty type currency bank in which it appears as if currency that is being fed into the bank is shredded whereas, in reality, it is held in a currency compartment in the bank.
A need has existed for a novelty bank in which currency that is fed into the bank appears to be shredded but in reality is stored.
Accordingly, it has been considered desirable to develop a new and improved currency bank which would meet the above-stated needs and others.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a currency bank.
More specifically, the instant invention comprises a currency bank having a housing with an inlet and an opening. A shredded currency mechanism is located in the housing and selectively appears in the opening. A feed mechanism is provided for feeding associated currency into the housing at the inlet. A timing assembly is provided for activating the shredded currency mechanism when the feed mechanism is activated so that it appears that the associated currency being fed into the housing is being shredded.
Preferably, the shredded currency mechanism comprises a motor, a gear train coupled to the motor and a belt assembly operatively connected to the gear train. Preferably, the belt assembly comprises a pair of belts and a plurality of gears around which the pair of belts is looped. If desired, the plurality of gears can comprise a spaced upper pair of gears mounted on a first common shaft and a spaced lower pair of gears mounted on a second common shaft. The shredded currency mechanism can further comprise a cross bar connected to the pair of belts and a shredded currency element secured at one end to the cross bar.
Preferably, the motor comprises an electric motor and there is also provided a source of electric power for the motor. If desired, the source of electric power can comprise batteries located in a battery compartment in the housing.
If desired, a speaker can be located in the housing wherein the timing mechanism also activates the speaker. Also, if desired, a photograph holder can be located on the housing. Preferably, a currency compartment is located in the housing for holding associated currency after it has passed through the feed mechanism. A door located on the housing provides access to the currency compartment.
Preferably, the timing assembly comprises a control circuit, a first timing element for actuating the feed mechanism and a second timing element for deactivating the shredded currency mechanism. If desired, the first timing element can comprise a finger located in a currency inlet slot of the housing. The second timing element can comprise a protrusion located on an element of the shredded currency mechanism.
In another aspect of the present invention, a method of operating the currency bank is provided.
More particularly, in accordance with this aspect of the invention, the method comprises the steps of providing a housing having an inlet in a currency compartment and feeding a piece of currency into the inlet. A shredded currency element is moved past the window in the housing. Thereafter, the piece of currency is deposited into the currency compartment.
One advantage of the present invention is the provision of a novelty currency bank.
Another advantage of the present invention is the provision of a novelty currency bank in which currency that is pulled into the bank appears to be shredded but is, in reality, deposited into a currency compartment in the bank.
Still another advantage of the present invention is the provision of a timing mechanism in a currency bank which starts the motion of a piece of shredded currency past a window at the same time that a piece of currency is fed into an inlet slot of the currency bank.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is the provision of a novelty currency bank with a speaker and a voice chip so that an audible message is played when a piece of currency is fed into the bank.
A further advantage of the present invention is the provision of a currency bank with a window in which a photograph can be displayed.
A still further advantage of the present invention is the provision of a currency bank which is digitally controlled so as to activate and deactivate an electric motor. The motor serves both to pull currency into the bank and to start the motion of a piece of shredded currency past a window in the bank. Preferably, switches are used to activate and deactivate the motor.
Still other benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those of average skill in the art upon a reading and understanding of the following detailed specification.
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Knox William J.
Perkitny Jerzy
Fay Sharpe Fagan Minnich & McKee LLP
Mag-Nif Incorporated
Ricci John
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