Patent · US Expired

Proximity responsive toy

US4272916A · kind A · utility

16Cited by
3References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 6, 1979
Grant dateJun 16, 1981
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 6, 1999

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA63H30/04
  • WIPO fieldFurniture, games
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A wheel-supported figure toy in the form of a pup has a driving motor to propel it in a forward direction. Proximity sensors in the form of capacitor plates control operation of the motor. When a child's hand or the like approaches the rear of the figure, the capacitance of a first capacitor arrangement is changed and the motor is started and propels the figure forwardly for a predetermined time, then stops. If the hand is placed under the pup's chin, a second capacitor arrangement causes the pup to follow the hand. An RC network determines the time the motor is in operation by holding a monostable vibrator on, which keeps the motor running, after it is started, for the predetermined time interval. The toy also has a sounding device that operates when the figure is being propelled.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.