NZ701941B - Motorized foam greeting card - Google Patents
Motorized foam greeting cardInfo
- Publication number
- NZ701941B NZ701941B NZ701941A NZ70194114A NZ701941B NZ 701941 B NZ701941 B NZ 701941B NZ 701941 A NZ701941 A NZ 701941A NZ 70194114 A NZ70194114 A NZ 70194114A NZ 701941 B NZ701941 B NZ 701941B
- Authority
- NZ
- New Zealand
- Prior art keywords
- greeting card
- sound
- motor
- mobile object
- switch
- Prior art date
Links
- 239000006260 foam Substances 0.000 title claims description 26
- 230000004913 activation Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 13
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 25
- 241000229754 Iva xanthiifolia Species 0.000 claims 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 abstract description 4
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 description 7
- 241000894007 species Species 0.000 description 5
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 4
- 210000001138 Tears Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 210000003813 Thumb Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 230000003213 activating Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003086 colorant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001815 facial Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000010437 gem Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000002500 ions Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000006011 modification reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000123 paper Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920002994 synthetic fiber Polymers 0.000 description 1
Abstract
The present invention is in the field of greeting cards having motorized effects. The problem to be solved is that of a more entertaining greeting card. The gist of the solution of the problem is to have a greeting card with a figure that has twirling hair. In particular, the solution comprises a greeting card comprising a greeting card body, a sound module, a motor module and a switch operative to control activation of the sound and motor modules, wherein upon activation of the sound and motor modules, at least one audio file is replayed and a plurality of individual strands twirl in a circular motion. eeting card comprising a greeting card body, a sound module, a motor module and a switch operative to control activation of the sound and motor modules, wherein upon activation of the sound and motor modules, at least one audio file is replayed and a plurality of individual strands twirl in a circular motion.
Description
MOTORIZED FOAM GREETING CARD
RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims ty to US. Provisional Patent Application No.
61/905,420, filed on er 18, 2013. This application is also a continuation-in-part of
US. Patent Application No. 13/568,482, filed on August 7, 2012, which is a continuation-
in-part of US. Patent Application No. 13/459,553, filed on April 30, 2012 (now
abandoned), which is a continuation of US. Patent Application No. 13/004,544, filed on
January 11, 2011 (now US. Patent No. 8,205,365).
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is in the field of social expression products. More
specifically the invention is in the field of greeting cards having motorized effects.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A greeting card which contains a foam body covered by a front and rear
e material and one or more cavities contained therein for odating
components of a sound and motor module. The greeting card contains a mobile object,
which in a preferred embodiment includes a bundle of individual fiber strands. The bundle
of fiber strands are attached to the motor module such that activation of the motor module
cause the bundle of fiber strands to separate and spin or twirl. The bundle of fibers strands
are attached to the motor through an opening in an upper perimeter e of the foam
body. The bundle of fibers together with the printed front and back surface al
combine to resemble a character having a tuft of hair which spins upon activation of the
motor . The greeting card also contains a sound module which plays back audio
upon activation.
PTION OF THE DRAWINGS
is a perspective view of the front of the greeting card.
l3/11/l4,op2397 speci,l
is a front tear away view of the internal components of the greeting
card of in the direction of arrows 2-2, with pivot panel in a first position.
is a front tear away view of the internal components of the ng
card of with pivot panel in a second position.
is a rear view of the greeting card of with sentiment panel
opened and pivot panel in second position.
ED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED AND ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS
The present invention includes a foam greeting card having audio and
motorized effects. A foam greeting card body contains one or more cavities therein into
which electronic ents of the greeting card are inserted. The front and rear surfaces
of the foam greeting card body is covered by a planar sheet material which conceals the
foam and inner electronic ents of the greeting card. The greeting card may
additionally n one or more mobile objects which are attached to a motor within the
greeting card. The mobile object may come in a variety of shapes, sizes and textures.
The greeting card body 10, in a preferred embodiment, includes a single
piece of hardened foam or ike material. The foam may be formed into any shape or
profile, examples which include, but are not limited to: a cupcake, a tree, a dog, a person,
a character, etc. The greeting card body 10 may alternatively be shaped like a traditional
rectangular greeting card. The foam body 10 contains a cavity therein to accommodate a
device such as, for example, a motor module, a sound module, a light module, a
multimedia player device, or any other such device or combination of devices. There may
be multiple cavities carved into the foam 10 to receive multiple devices or device
components such as, for example, batteries 22 or other power source, a speaker 24, a
circuit board 20, a switch 18, a motor 26, a memory , a recording device, etc. The
foam shape 10 has a generally planar front and rear surfaces with a thickness or outer
perimeter etween. The foam 10 is both lightweight for ease of handling and to
facilitate postal mailing and sturdy for the protection of the onic components of the
greeting card. The foam body 10 may be covered by a sheet al 12 made of heavy
29/08/14,op2397 speci,2
gauge paper-like al such as paper, cardboard, cardstock or any other like material.
In an alternate embodiment, the sheet material 12 may be made of plastic or other
lightweight, durable material. The sheet material 12 is generally cut into the shape of the
foam body 10. The front surface material 12 may contain printing thereon of a front view
of a character, animal or other object while the rear surface material 12 may contain
printing thereon of a rear view of a character, animal or other object which matches the
front surface material. The front and rear surface materials 12 may ately n
right and left side views of a character, animal or other object. The surface material 12 is
attached adhesively or otherwise to the foam body 10. The material 12 can also further
contain three-dimensional embellishments such as gems, googly eyes, and other such
adomments. In addition to the front and rear surface material 12, the greeting card 100
may contain an additional panel, referred to herein as a sentiment panel 28. The sentiment
panel 28 is connected along a fold line to either the front or rear surface al 12. It is
folded over the front or rear surface material 12 and serves as a front or rear cover of the
ng card. If the sentiment panel 28 is attached to the front surface material 12, it
would serve as the front cover of the greeting card and the left inside panel while the front
surface material 12 would serve as the right inside panel of the greeting card. If the
sentiment panel 28 is attached to the rear surface material 12, as shown in it would
serve as the rear cover of the ng card and the inside left panel while the rear surface
material 12 would serve as the left inside panel of the greeting card. In either case,
ng the sentiment panel 28 away from the foam body 10 reveals an inner surface onto
which a greeting may be contained. The sentiment panel 28, along with the front and rear
surface material 12 may contain text sentiment, drawings, photographs, drawings or any
other printed material. The sentiment panel 28 may be shaped and/or decorated similar to
the foam body and front and rear surface al 12. The sentiment panel 28 can cover
the entire front or rear surface of the foam body 10 or it may cover only a n thereof.
As mentioned above, in a preferred ment, the ng card 100
contains a sound module which is contained within one of the one or more cavities or
compartments in the foam body 10. The sound module is operative to store and playback
one or more audio files. The audio files may contain clips of music, singing, spoken word,
animal sounds, or any other recordable sound. The sound module may be activated to
replay the one or more audio files by a switch 18. The switch 18 may be a slide tongue
29/08/l4,op2397 speci,3
switch, a contact switch, a button switch, a light sensitive switch, a t switch, a
motion sensitive , a touch sensitive switch or any other type of switch which is
known to one having skill in the art. In the preferred embodiment, the switch 18 is a
contact switch. A contact switch 18 contains two arms which when in contact, te
an electrical circuit. Separating the two arms breaks the circuit. A small pivot panel 14 is
contained beneath the front surface material 12 and inserted in a slot between the front
surface al 12 and the foam body 10 and between the two arms of the contact switch.
When the pivot panel 14 is in a first position, it is contained between the two arms of the
t switch and substantially within the greeting card body 10 with a portion of the
panel 14 visible beyond the front surface material 12. Pivoting the pivot panel 14 by, for
example, grasping the visible portion of the pivot panel 14 between ones thumb and
forefinger and pivoting the panel 14 downward, the pivot panel 14 moves into a second
position wherein it is removed from between the two arms of the t switch 18,
allowing the arms to make contact and complete the electrical circuit, and it is substantially
contained outside of the greeting card 100 beyond the front surface material 10. When the
pivot panel 14 is moved from the first to the second on, the electrical circuit is
complete and thereby providing power to the sound module which will replay one of the
one or more audio files. When the pivot panel 14 is moved from the second on, back
to the first position, it is again inserted between the two arms of the contact switch 18,
thereby breaking the circuit and vating the sound module. The pivot panel 14 may
contain an extra se greeting, text sentiment or artwork, etc. printed thereon. A
n of the pivot panel 14 may contain the word “pull” printed thereon to instruct the
user to pull the panel for further entertainment. The pivot panel 14 may be shaped and
printed to look like a conversation bubble and may have a greeting printed thereon which
incorporates the theme of the greeting card or the character, etc. upon which the shape and
appearance of the foam greeting card body are based, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
In addition to activating the sound module upon moving the pivot panel 14,
the contact switch 18 also controls power to a motor module. The motor module is also
contained within the one or more cavities of the foam greeting card body 10. The motor
module contains a small or miniature motor 26 which is used to effect movement of an
object attached thereto. The motor module may cause a circular motion, ng or up-
and-down motion, side-to-side or back-and-forth motion, a quick vibrating , or any
29/08/14,op2397 speci,4
other type of motion. A mobile object 16 is connected to the motor 26 either directly or
via a connection arm. When the motor module is activated, the motor 26 is powered up
causing movement of the mobile object 16. The mobile object 16 can be any type of
small, lightweight figure. es include, but are not limited to: planar or three-
dimensional die cut shapes, planar plastic shapes, three-dimensional plastic moulded
shapes, strands of ribbon, etc. In a preferred embodiment, the mobile object 16 is a bundle
of strings or lightweight fiber strands which are intended to look like a tuft of hair atop the
head of a character (the foam body). The bundled strands 16 are connected at one end to
the motor 26 and at the te ends are free such that when the motor 26 is activated, the
bundle 16 is quickly moved in a circular motion, causing the bundled strands 16 to separate
and spin or twirl as a bunch. The strands 16 may be made of yarn, rubber, plastic, or any
other type of synthetic or non-synthetic material. The strands 16 may be of a single color
or may contain a y of different colors. In alternate embodiments, the mobile object
may be a ent type of hair style or may represent a facial feature, a body part of a
person or animal, or other appendage.
In a preferred embodiment, the sound and motor module are both controlled
by the contact switch 18. Therefore, the process described above with respect to the
contact switch 18 and pivot panel 14 apply to the activation of the motor module as well as
the sound module. In alternate embodiments, the sound and motor modules may be
controlled by different switches which may be of the same type of switch or different.
When the pivot panel 14 is in its first on, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the sound and
motor modules are deactivated. Moving the pivot panel 14 from the first to second
position, shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, causes simultaneous tion of the sound and motor
modules and causing playback of an audio file and movement or ng of the mobile
object (fiber strands) 16. Moving the pivot panel 14 from the second on back to the
first position again deactivates the sound and motor module causing the sound and
movement of the mobile object 16 to cease.
The foregoing embodiments of the present ion have been presented
for the es of illustration and description. These descriptions and embodiments are
not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and
obviously many ations and variations are possible in light of the above disclosure.
29/08/14,op2397 specifi
The ments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principle of the
invention and its practical applications to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best
utilize the invention in its various embodiments and with various modifications as are
suited to the particular use contemplated.
Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the
context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and
"comprising", will be tood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group
of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or
steps.
The reference to any prior art in this specification is not and should not be
taken as an acknowledgement or any form of tion that the prior art forms part of the
common general knowledge in lia.
29/08/14,0p2397 speci,6
Claims (13)
1. A greeting card comprising: a greeting card body having one or more cavities therein; a sound module operative to store and playback at least one audio file, the sound module contained within the one or more cavities in the greeting card body; a motor module operative to cause movement to a mobile object, the motor module contained within the one or more cavities in the greeting card body; a switch ive to control activation of the sound and motor modules; the mobile object sing a plurality of individual strands, each of the individual strands attached at one end in a bundle; wherein upon activation of the sound and motor s, the at least one audio file is replayed and the plurality of individual strands twirl in a circular motion.
2. The greeting card of claim 1, wherein the mobile object is attached to the motor module at one end.
3. The greeting card of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of strands in the mobile object are freely moveable upon activation of the motor module.
4. The greeting card of claim 1, wherein the plurality of individual strands of the mobile are made of yarn.
5. The greeting card of claim 1 wherein the switch is a contact switch.
6. The greeting card of claim 5 further comprising a pivot panel which is moveable from a first position between ng arms of the t switch and a second position outside of the arms of the contact switch.
7. The greeting card of claim 1, wherein front and rear surface al ed to the greeting card body and the mobile object combine to depict a character with a tuft of hair that twirls upon activation of the motor module. 2981406v1
8. The greeting card of claim 1 further comprising a sentiment panel attached to the rear surface material attached to the ng card body.
9. The greeting card of claim 5 further comprising a word bubble panel which is operative to control activation of the contact switch.
10. The greeting card of claim 1, wherein the plurality of individual strands in the motor module are made of rubber.
11. The greeting card of claim 1, wherein the greeting card body is made of foam.
12. The greeting card of claim 1, wherein the front and rear surfaces of the greeting card body are covered by a planar sheet al.
13. The greeting card of claim 1, wherein the mobile object extends d from a perimeter surface of the greeting card body. 2981406v1
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US201361905420P | 2013-11-18 | 2013-11-18 | |
US61/905420 | 2013-11-18 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
NZ701941A NZ701941A (en) | 2017-05-26 |
NZ701941B true NZ701941B (en) | 2017-08-29 |
Family
ID=
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