Method and device for causing a toy to simulate a condition, such as yawn or sleep

#The present invention is directed to toys, and more particularly a method and device for causing a toy to simulate a condition, such as yawn or sleep, when rocked by a user.

#The prior art is replete with a variety of toys. The industry has been very active in responding to the needs and desires of children to produce an extensive variety of toys. Among many categories, there exists a line of toys that simulate various conditions or activities of children and adults. For example, many toys are presently available that open or close eyes to simulate awake or sleep conditions. Although these types of toys are attractive, children often like to emulate adult behavior. For example, children often play an adult by treating a toy, such as a doll, as a baby. Therefore, a toy that simulates yawn or sleep upon rocking, would be very useful for educational, as well as amusement purposes.

#Examples of various toys are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,193,947; 1,244,799; 1,255,889; 1,280,055; 1,289,687; 1,343,422; 1,395,984; 1,545,077; 1,606,716; 1,729,729; 2,093,684; 2,133,636; 2,159,293; 2,197,764; 2,303,246; 2,638,710; 2,813,372; 2,938,302; 2,954,641; 2,990,646; 2,974,265; 2,994,158; 3,310,908; 4,016,535; 4,708,689; 4,740,186; 5,422,628; 5,941,750; and RE33,933.

#The above and other objects, novel features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention as illustrated in drawings, in which:

#FIG. 1 shows a toy doll in a horizontal position held by a user, shown with the device of the invention positioned therein;

#FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, showing a rocking motion applied to the toy doll;

#As schematically shown in FIG. 6, the device D of the present invention includes an actuator or rocking assembly 10, a sensor 12 for detecting rocking motions from the assembly 10 and transmitting appropriate signals to a microprocessor 14, and a conventional eyes closing mechanism 16 for receiving signals from microprocessor 14 and causing the toy doll's eyes to close gradually. Preferably, a conventional gravity switch 18 is provided for detecting the orientation of the toy in vertical and horizontal positions.

#As shown in FIGS. 1-2, the rocking assembly 10 and gravity switch 18 are encased in a housing 20 positioned at an appropriate location inside a toy, such as a toy doll D, and preferably in the abdominal section 22 thereof.

#As best shown in FIGS. 3-5, the rocking assembly 10 includes an actuator or pendulum 24 pivotably suspended from a frame 26 by a pin 28. The frame 26, on the other hand, is mounted to an inside wall 30 of the housing 20. The pendulum 24 includes a bottom strip portion 32 connected to a vertically extending stem portion 34. Preferably, the strip portion 32 is slightly curved in the form of a segment of a circle concentric to the pivot point or axis X. The strip 32, preferably includes six magnetic members 36 that are spaced from each other by non-magnetic sections 38. Preferably, the strip 32 is a multi-pole flexible magnet strip with six segments of polarity 36, alternately spaced by non-magnetic sections 38. It is noted herewith that it is within the scope of this invention to provide individual metal or ceramic magnets set in separated segments as a substitute for the flexible multi-pole magnetic strip 32. It is also within the scope of this invention to vary the number, configuration, and locations of the magnets and non-magnetic sections. Also, while the invention has been illustrated by using magnetic members 36 to transmit signals to the microprocessor 14 representing angular movement of the pendulum 24, it is within the scope of the invention to use electrical, electromagnetic, or optical transmitters.