GB2185895A

GB2185895A - Audio toy doll

Info

Publication number: GB2185895A
Application number: GB08601872A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Man Loong Monty Cheng
Original assignee: NASTA
Current assignee: NASTA
Priority date: 1986-01-27
Filing date: 1986-01-27
Publication date: 1987-08-05
Also published as: GB8601872D0

Abstract

An audio toy comprises a figure on a hollow base (2-2) containing a tape cassette player mechanism (2-8), (speaker 2-10) and battery compartment (2-9). The figure has a pivotal lower jaw (2-3). An electromagnet (2-5) coacts with a permanent magnet (2-6) and is coupled to the audio frequency control circuit of the cassette player so that the electromagnet is energised or deenergised in synchronism with the reproduced sound thereby causing opening and closing of the jaw (2-3). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Audio Toy This invention relates to an audio toy comprising a figure with a movable mouth and an associated electrical circuit for reproducing sound.

It is an object of this invention to provide such an audio toy with an electromagnetic device arranged in conjunction with the sound reproducing circuit installed therein so as to effect the opening and closing ofthetoy's mouth in synchronism with the reproduced sound for increasing the toy's amusement value and for stimulating the intelligence of children.

According to the present invention, the up and down movement of the jaw of the mouth of the figure effected by an audio-frequency control circuit electrically coupled with the sound reproducing circuit and an electromagnetic device disposed in the toy mouth and so coupled to the audiofrequency control circuit that the opening and closing movements of the toy's mouth are automatically effected in accordance with the variation in amplitude of the audio frequency of the reproduced sound. Preferably, the sound reproducing circuit is part of a radio and/or cassette tape player.

Othercharactistics and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an illustrative view of a preferred embodiment of a Cassette Player toy according to this invention; Figure 2 represents in perspective the inner structure of the preferred embodiment shown in Fig.

1; Figure 3 is a block diagram of a Cassette Player set and an audio-frequency control portion disposed in the preferred embodiment of Fig. 1; and Figure 4 is a circuit diagram of the Cassette Player set and the audio-frequency control arrangement of Fig. 3.

Referring to Fig. 1, there is shown a preferred embodiment of a Cassette Player toy set according to this invention, which Cassette Player toy includes; a plastic toy structure having a hollow base 1-2 with a cover 1-3 detachably provided on the bottom side; a toy body portion 1-1 therein fixed in an upright position on the top surface of the base portion 1-2; a head portion 1-4 with a movable lower jaw 1-5 disposed on the top of the body portion 1-1; and a volume control and mechanism control knob installed upside portion of the base portion 1-2.

Referring to Fig. 2, the inner structure of the preferred embodiment shown in Fig. 1 comprises: a Cassette Player set built on a substrate installed in the hollow section of the base 2-2 in connection with the Cassette deck mechanism 2-8 and the speaker 2 10; a battery compartment 2-9 provided under the substrate of the Cassette Player set 2-2 for supplying electrical power to the Cassette Player 2-2 and deck mechanism 2-8; and a magnetic control device 2-4 disposed in the head portion 2-1 in conjunction with the Cassette Player set 2-2.The magnetic control device 2-4 is a combination of a permanent magnet 2-6 fixed on the surface of the lower jaw 2-3, which is pivotally connected to the upper jaw of the head portion 2-1 through a pivot pin 2-11, and an electromagnet 2-5 coupled with a coil L1 provided in the upper jaw of the head portion 2-1 in line with the permanent magnet 2-6 for repulsion and attracting motions.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4, there is shown a practical circuit arrangement for the preferred embodiment according to this invention, which circuit arrangement includes a Cassette Player portion 3-1 and an audio-frequency control portion 3-2 functionally coupled with the Cassette Player portion 3-1 as shown in Fig. 3. The Cassette Player portion 3-1 is arranged according to the known art and is combined with a magnet head 3-3, a preamplifier 3-4, a power amplifier 3-5 and loudspeaker 3-6. Also provided with d.c. power supply 3-7 and voltage regulator 3-8 to drive motor and deck mechanism 3-9 and electronic circuitry. Since portion 3-1 is well known by those skilled in the art, its details are herein omitted.The audio-frequency control portion 3-2 includes; an audio-frequency detector 3-10 connected to the output of the power amplifier of the Cassette Player portion 3-5; and a sloenoid driver circuit 3-12 connected between the output of the d.c. amplifier 3-11 and the electromagnetic solenoid coil 3-13. As shown in Fig.

4, when the Cassette Player portion 3-1 is in play mode, which is also combined with a volume control function, the audio-frequency signal from the power amplifier of the Cassette Player portion 35 will, in addition to driving the loudspeaker 3-6 for producing the musical sound, the partially developed across the input of the audio4requency detector of the audio-frequency control circuit 3-10 and rectified into a d.c. pulsating signal by a diode Do. this pulsating audio-frequency signal is then amplified by a d.c. amplifying circuit combined by a transistor TR1 and fed into a transistor TR2 which is arranged for effecting on-and-off operating in a solenoid driver circuit, and the electro-magnetic coil L1 connected between the collector of the transistor TR2 and the power line of the unit.When electromagnetic coil L1 is excited, this results in the production of the same polarity as that of the permanent magnet M1 and causes a repulsion force therebetween. Consequently, the lower jaw 2-3 of the toy head is pushed downward causing the mouth to open. When the amplitude of the audiofrequency signal from the audio-frequency amplifier of the Cassette Player circuit 3-5 is attenuated, the output from the d.c. amplifier 3-11 will also be decreased, and the transistor TR2 is cut off. Thus, the electromagnet L1 is de-energized and attracted again by the permanent magnet M1, resulting in the pulling of the lower 2-4 upward and the closing of the mouth of the toy 1-1. The opening and closing of the toy mouth will be varied in conjunction with the amplitude alteration of the audio frequency impressed from the Cassette Player circuit 3-1.

Adustment can be made at any time for exaggerating the amusing actions of this mechanism.

Having thus described the invention, it is to be understood that many embodiments thereof will suggest themselves to one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention which is to be understood as extending to any individual novel and inventive feature disclosed herein, and/or any novel and inventive combination as disclosed herein of features as described and/or functionally equivalent features.

Claims

1. An audio toy which comprises a figure with a movable mouth, and an electromagnetic device arranged in conjunction with a sound reproducing circuit installed in the figure and arranged to effect the opening and closing of the mouth in synchronism with the reproduced sound.

2. An audio toy as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the up and down movement of the jaw of the mouth of the figure is effected by an audio-frequency control circuit electrically coupled with the sound reproducing circuit and an electromagnetic device disposed in the toy mouth and so coupled to the audio-frequency control circuit that the opening and closing movements of the toy's mouth are automatically effected in accordance with the variation in amplitude of the audio frequency of the reproduced sound.

3. An audio toy as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the sound reproducing circuit is part of a radio and/ or cassette tape player.

4. An audio toy as claimed in any preceding claim, having a base with a cover removably provided on the bottom thereof, a toy body fixed on the top surface of the hollow base, a head portion with a movable lower jaw disposed on the top of the toy body, and a cassette tape player with a speaker and a battery compartment installed in the hollow base.

5. An audio toy as claimed in Claim 4, which includes magnetic means disposed in the head portion; and an audio-frequency control means functionally connected with the cassette set and in conjunction with said magnetic means to effect the moving of the lower jaw.

6. An audio toy as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the magnetic means comprises a permanent magnet fixed on the inner surface of the movable jaw of the toy head portion, and an electromagnetic combination with a coil provided close to the permanent magnet of the toy head portion.

7. An audio toy as claimed in Claim 5 or 6, wherein said audio-frequency control means comprises an audio-frequency voltage detecting circuit connected to the output of the audio-frequency amplifier of the cassette tape player to rectify it to D.C. audiofrequency signal, a D.C. amplifying circuit which amplifies the rectified D.C. audio-frequency signal, and a driving circuit comprising an on-and-off transistor connected to said magnetic means.

8. An audio activated toy according to Claim 6 or 7, wherein said coil is connected between the driving circuit and the power source of the radio, tape player and/or audio amplified sound reproducing circuit.

8. A cassette toy according to Claim 6 or 7, wherein said coil is connected between the driving circuit and the power source of the cassette set.

9. An audio toy substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to or as shown in the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed, and have the following effect:~ Claims 1-5,7 and 8 above have been deleted or textually amended.

New or textually amended claims have been filed as follows:

1. An audio toy which comprises a figure with a moveable mouth and an electromagnetic device installed in the head of the figure arranged to effect the opening and closing of the mouth in synchronism with the reproduced sound arranged in conjunction with a sound reproducing circuit installed in the figure or in a base whereon the figure is affixed.

2. An audio toy as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said device is disposed in the head of the toy and located in close proximity to the toy mouth so coupled to the audio-frequency control circuit that the opening and closing movements of the toy's mouth are automatically effected in accordance with the variation of amplitude of the audio-frequency of the reproduced sound.

3. An audio toy as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the sound reproducing circuit is part of a radio, cassette tape player and/or any other audioamplified sound reproducing circuit.

4. An audio toy as claimed in any preceding claim, having a base with a cover removably provided on the bottom thereof, a toy body fixed on the top surface of the hollow base, a head portion with a movable lower jaw disposed on the top of the toy body, and a radio tape player and/or other audio amplified sound reproducing means installed in the hollow base.

5. An audio toy as claimed in Claim 4, which includes magnetic means disposed in the head portion; and an audio frequency control means functionally connected with a circuit that is part of a radio, tape player and/or any other audio amplified sound reproducing circuit in conjunction with said magnetic means to effect the moving of the lower jaw.

7. An audio toy as claimed in Claim 5 or 6, wherein said audio-frequency control means comprises an audio-frequency voltage detecting circuit connected to the output of the audio-frequency amplifier of the audio producing circuit to rectify itto a D.C. control signal, a D.C. amplifying circuit which amplifies the rectified D.C. audio-frequency signal, and a driving circuit comprising an on-and-off switching transistor connected to said magnetic means.