Image display toy with dual scrolling screens

Abstract

A toy display that includes a first rolling screen, a second rolling screen and a light source that illuminates the screens. The first screen may contain viewing images and the second screen may have background images. The moving screen provide varying images that are viewed by a user. The toy display may include a speaker and input buttons to vary the illumination and the sound produced by the toy.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Application No. 60/737,716, filed on Nov. 16, 2005.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a toy display.

2. Prior Art

There have been marketed various toy displays. Hasbro Toys marketed a toy display under the name DREAM SCREEN with a screen that scrolled over a light source. The product included multiple mini-lenses that created a “twinkling” effect when viewed by a user. There have also been marketed various electronic learning aids that contain touch sensitive LCD panels.

Fisher Price has marketed a toy display with a back-lit scrolling screen and a touch sensitive element. V-Tech has marketed a product under the name SMOOTH AND SURPRISE NATURE LIGHT with a back-lit image that could be projected onto a ceiling. There have also been marketed various other types of back-lit scrolling screens.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A toy that includes a first scrolling screen, a second scrolling screen and a light source that illuminates the screens.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a toy display;

FIG. 2 is an illustration showing the location of a light source relative to a rolling screen of the toy display;

FIG. 3 is an illustration showing the rolling screens of the toy display.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Disclosed is a toy display that includes a first rolling screen, a second rolling screen and a light source that illuminates the screens. The first screen may contain viewing images and the second screen may have background images. The moving screens provide varying images that are viewed by a user. The toy display may include a speaker and input buttons to vary the illumination and the sound produced by the toy.

Referring to the drawings more particularly by reference numbers, FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show an embodiment of a toy display 10. The toy display 10 includes a first rolling screen assembly 12 and a second rolling screen assembly 14 that are coupled to a housing 16.

The second rolling screen assembly 14 moves essentially perpendicular to the first rolling screen assembly 12. The first rolling screen assembly 12 may include a first screen 18 that moves about a pair of first rollers 20. One of the first rollers 20 can be coupled to a motor assembly 22. The second rolling screen assembly 14 may include a second screen 24 that moves about a pair of second rollers 26. One of the second rollers 26 may also be coupled to the motor assembly 22. Although one motor assembly 22 is shown and described, it is to be understood that the second rolling screen assembly 14 can be coupled to a second motor.

The toy display 10 may include a light source 30 that illuminates the screens 18 and 24. The light source 30 may include one or more light emitting diodes (“LEDs”). 32 and one or more fluorescent tubes 34. The LEDs 32 and tubes 34 can be illuminated concurrently or separately.

The toy display 10 may include a speaker 36 that is connected to an electronic board 38. The electronic board 38 may contain electrical circuits that can drive the speaker 36 to emit sound such as music. The electronic board 38 may also control the light source 30 and the motor assembly 22. The electrical components of the display 10 can be powered by one or more batteries 40.

The display 10 may include a first switch 42 and a second switch 44 that are connected to the electronic board 38. The switches 42 and 44 can be activated to control the light source 32, sound, and/or motor assembly 22. By way of example, the first switch 42 can be used to control the activation/deactivation and speed of the motor assembly 22. The second switch 44 can be used to vary the intensity of the light source 32 and/or the activation/deactivation of the speaker 36.

The first screen 18 may contain a plurality of viewing images. The second screen 24 may include a plurality of background images. In operation, the motor assembly 22 is activated to move the screens 18 and 24. Movement of the screens 18 and 24 provides a varying and appealing visual image as the viewing images change relative to the moving background images. The speaker 36 can generate sound. The sound may be synchronized to correspond with the visual image being displayed by the combination of the screens 18 and 24. The user can vary the intensity of illumination through switch 44 to further change the visual image provided by the screens 18 and 24. The user may also vary the sound emitted by the speaker 36 and/or the speed of the motor 22. A timer circuit, not shown, can provide an auto shut-off feature after the termination of a certain time period.

While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, and that this invention not be limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other modifications may occur to those ordinarily skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A toy display, comprising:

a housing;

a first scrolling screen coupled to said housing;

a second scrolling screen coupled to said housing; and,

a light source coupled to said housing to illuminate said first and second scrolling screens.

2. The toy of claim 1, wherein said second scrolling screen moves essentially perpendicular to said first scrolling screen.

3. The toy of claim 1, further comprising a motor assembly that moves said first and second rolling screens.

4. The toy of claim 1, further comprising a switch coupled to said light source to vary the illumination of said first and second scrolling screens.

5. The toy of claim 1, further comprising a speaker and a circuit coupled to said housing.

6. The toy of claim 1, wherein said light source includes a fluorescent tube.

7. The toy of claim 1, wherein said first scrolling screen includes a viewing image and said second screen includes a background image.

8. A method for operating a toy display, comprising:

moving a first scrolling screen;

moving a second scrolling screen; and,

illuminating the first and second scrolling screens.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the first and second scrolling screens are moved by a motor assembly.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising generating sound.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising varying the illumination of the first and second scrolling screens.