Education and demonstration – Science – Biology or taxidermy
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-06
2001-05-15
Ricci, John A. (Department: 3712)
Education and demonstration
Science
Biology or taxidermy
C434S225000, C446S073000, C446S487000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06231346
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to toys which provide learning experiences and more particularly to a toy which simulates the hatching of an egg.
2. Antecedents of the Invention
Hatching egg toys have been proposed heretofore as, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,813,895 issued to CHO and U.S. Pat. No. 4,881,915 issued to LIAW. U.S. Pat. No. 5,813,895 disclosed an egg shell with sections joined together by a liquid soluble medium such that when the egg was immersed in liquid, the shell sections separated and a toy figure was revealed. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,881,915 also disclosed a liquid activated hatching egg wherein water, which entered the egg, caused a compressed foam animal carried within the egg to expand, breaking through weakened fault lines of the egg.
These toys merely provided amusement; significantly lacking was a meaningful learning experience.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An interactive hatching egg is formed of a shell comprising a pair of shell sections which are joined along a plane extending transversely through the egg.
Depending from the upper shell section into the lower shell section is a generally planar circular chassis with a peripheral side wall. A bracket extending downwardly from the bottom of the chassis carries a power supply and a keyway for receiving an axial retention post. Mounted to the chassis and within an enclosure defined by the chassis side wall and a cover plate, is a circuit board having a controller, e.g. a microprocessor. Illumination devices, a sound generator and a motive drive, which is coupled to a drive train for engaging a spring latch, are also carried within the enclosure. The spring latch releases a hatch lid formed in the upper shell section for simulating a hatching egg experience and exposing a baby animal which is positioned in the upper shell section, seated upon the chassis cover.
A pair of contact surfaces are provided on the lower shell section in communication with the controller for sensing when the egg is touched. The controller is programmed to initiate a hatching cycle upon sensing that the egg has been touched, with the hatching cycle being of a predetermined duration and terminating with the hatch lid being released. During the cycle, the illumination devices and a sound generator are actuated in one or more patterns with the patterns varying in response to the egg being touched.
From the foregoing compendium, it should be appreciated that it is an aspect of the present invention to provide an interactive hatching egg of the general character described which is not subject to the disadvantages of the antecedents of the invention aforementioned.
A feature of the present invention is to provide an interactive hatching egg of the general character described which instills in children caring instincts.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide an interactive hatching egg of the general character described which is well-suited for preschool age children.
A consideration of the present invention is to provide an interactive hatching egg of the general character described which is simple to use.
Another consideration of the present invention is to provide an interactive hatching egg of the general character described which fosters nurturing instincts.
A further feature of the present invention is to provide an interactive hatching egg of the general character described which is well-suited for unsupervised child play.
Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide an interactive hatching egg of the general character described which promotes development of tactile and auditory senses in children.
A further consideration of the present invention is to provide an interactive hatching egg of the general character described which fosters association of tactile and visual senses in children.
A still further consideration of the present invention is to provide an interactive hatching egg of the general character described capable of maintaining a child's attention.
To provide an interactive hatching egg of the general character described which is suitable for economical low cost mass production fabrication is a still further consideration of the present invention.
Another feature of the present invention is to provide an interactive hatching egg of the general character described with internal components being inaccessible to young children.
A still further feature of the present invention is to provide an interactive hatching egg of the general character described which is responsive to being touched by a child.
An additional feature of the present invention is to provide an interactive hatching egg of the general character described which is durable and well-suited for preschool as well as school age play environments.
Yet another consideration of the present invention is to provide an interactive hatching egg of the general character described which is well suited for usage by people of all ages.
Other aspects, features and considerations in part will be obvious and in part will be pointed out hereinafter.
With these ends in view, the invention finds embodiment in the various combinations of elements, arrangements of parts and series of steps by which the said aspects, features and considerations are attained, all with reference to the accompanying drawings, and the scope of which will be more particularly pointed out and indicated in the appended claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 312845 (1990-12-01), Matsuda
patent: 608794 (1898-08-01), Quinn
patent: 685345 (1901-10-01), Perkins
patent: 3091053 (1963-05-01), Growald
patent: 3787599 (1974-01-01), Castanis
patent: 4237649 (1980-12-01), Goldfarb
patent: 4698043 (1987-10-01), May
patent: 4881915 (1989-11-01), Liaw
patent: 5413332 (1995-05-01), Montgomery
patent: 5545069 (1996-08-01), Glynn et al.
patent: 5795209 (1998-08-01), Moore
patent: 5813895 (1998-09-01), Cho
patent: 5989092 (1999-11-01), McGowan
Natter & Natter
Ricci John A.
Snubelgrass Interactive Ltd.
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