Bobblehead Memory Device

Abstract

The present invention is a novelty bobblehead toy device modeled after a humanoid or character figure with a wobbling head and an internal USB electronic memory or storage device. The toy comprises a lower body having a flat base and an upper body with a wobbly head. The lower body further houses a USB memory stick. Both the upper and lower body portions are modeled to mimic fanciful or commonly known characters and personalities, and may include information imprinted on the flat base and at other suitable locations on the device.

Description

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a Continuation In Part patent application and claims a priority benefit to U.S. Non-Provisional Application No. 11,801,368 entitled “Novelty Candy Device”, examined by Examiner Kien T. Nguyen in Art Unit 3711, and filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office on May 9, 2007 by a common Inventor to this instant application, Paul Leonhardt; and further said instant application also claims a priority benefit to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/800,217, entitled “Bobblepop” and filed on May 11, 2006 by a common Inventor to this instant application, Paul Leonhardt. Both of these prior applications are hereby expressly incorporated into this instant application by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL

Portions of the disclosure of this patent document contain material that is subject to copyright protection. reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

REFERENCE TO APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to novelty toy devices, and more particularly, to a bobblehead toy device that is configured to represent a humanoid or character figure and further includes an electronic memory.

B. Prior Art

Bobblehead toys in their basic form are well known in the public domain. The conventional basic form of a bobblehead toy is a stable base having a head attached to the base by a spring mechanism. Many designs of bobblehead figures are possible representing well known persons, celebrities, sports figures, characters, animals or any other recognizable likeness. These designs aim at providing an entertaining or aesthetic appeal.

Although the above devices are related to novelty toys, the present invention provides a humanoid or character figure that mimics a famous sportsperson, actor, other well-known people, or animals and further incorporates an electronic memory for the storage, transport and conveyance of electronic data.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved novelty toy device which includes a bobblehead humanoid or character figure and that can also be used as an electronic memory or storage device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an attractive toy for protecting, enclosing and carrying an electronic memory device for personal use.

A further object is to provide an improved novelty toy device that includes a wobbling head.

Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved novelty toy device that can be used as a collectible or souvenir. These and other objects of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the appended Summary, Description, and Claims.

The present invention, in brief summary, comprises an improved toy device that resembles a humanoid or character figure. The device includes a separate lower body portion and upper body portion. The lower body portion includes a base and further usually includes the memory device. The upper body portion includes a main body and a wobbly head that mates with the lower body portion.

The head can be designed to mimic a variety of humanoid figures, or characters, including a famous sportsperson, a movie actor, or other characters such as cartoon characters, animals, superheroes, robots, seasonal characters and other personalities well known in different capacities. The torso and base can also be designed to suit or contrast with the head portion of the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevation illustration of the novelty toy device of the present invention showing the upper body portion and the lower body portion.

FIG. 2 is a front elevation exploded illustration of the novelty toy device from FIG. 1 showing the upper body portion, the lower body portion, and the internal memory device.

FIG. 3 is a front elevation exploded illustration of the novelty toy device from FIG. 2 showing a further expansion of the internal memory device from the base.

FIG. 4 is a front elevation exploded illustration of a second embodiment of the novelty toy device showing a split head, split torso, internal memory device and other various internal components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings, preferred embodiments of the improved bobblehead toy device are illustrated and are referred to generally by reference number 10.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the device comprises an upper body portion 12 further comprising a torso 14 and head 16. In the mated configuration shown in FIG. 1, the upper body portion 12 is supported by a base 24. The base 24 has a flat bottom 26 enabling the device to stand by itself on a flat surface.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a front elevation exploded illustration of the novelty toy device 10 from FIG. 1 is shown illustrating the upper body portion 12, the lower body portion 20, and the internal memory device 22. It can be seen that the internal memory device 22 is housed entirely in a cavity 28 which is contained in the torso 14 of the upper body portion 12. The lower edge 30 of the torso 14 is designed to frictionally mate with the base ring 32 thus securing the upper body portion 12 to the lower body portion 20.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a front elevation exploded illustration of the novelty toy device 10 from FIG. 2 is shown illustrating a further expansion of the internal memory 22 device from the base 24. The base ring 32 further comprises a receptacle 34 which frictionally receives the electrical connector portion 36 of the USB memory stick 22.

It should be noted that the head 16 in FIGS. 1 through 3 is mounted to the torso 14 by a spring mechanism (not shown) so that the head 16 behaves in the well known ‘bobblehead’ manner. Thus any movement which is imparted to the toy device 10 will cause the head 16 to ‘bobble’ relative to the torso 14 for a period of time. This is an essential feature of the invention.

Further, the head 16, torso 14 and base 24 may be modeled in the likeness of any famous character, likeness or real personality to enhance the attractiveness of the invention as a toy or collectible.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a front elevation exploded illustration of a second embodiment of the novelty toy device 10 is shown illustrating a split head 16A & 16B, a split torso 14A & 14B, an internal memory device 22 and other various internal components as will be described. In this embodiment the head 16 and torso 14 have been manufactured each in two snap-fit mateable halves. This configuration allows for the quick and easy assembly of the bobblehead mechanism as described below.

A snap-rivet assembly 40 comprises a top rivet portion 42 having a top disk 44 and a top shaft 46, a spring 48, a bottom rivet portion 50 having a lower shaft 52, middle shaft 54, a shoulder disk 56 and a bottom disk 58.

The split head 16A & 16B will snap-fit together to capture part of the snap rivet assembly 40. An upper head slot 60 formed by the mating of the two split heads 16A & 16B will receive and capture the top disk 44 while the lower head slot 62 will receive and capture the shoulder disk 56. The spring 48 will frictionally capture the top shaft 46 in the top end of the spring 48 and frictionally capture the middle shaft 54 in the lower spring 48 end. The shoulder disk 56 is received and captured by the lower head slot 62 as the split heads 16A & 16B are assembled. Finally the bottom disk 58 is received and captured by the torso slot 64 as the split torso halves 14A & 14B are assembled. Thus the snap rivet assembly 40 allows for a relative springing movement between the head 16 and the torso 14. Thus the head 16 on the upper body portion 12 wobbles in a certain orientation, or randomly when slightly touched or moved relative to the torso 14. Half-circle slot 66 on each half of the torso 14A & 14B allows for the lower shaft 52 to pass from the interior of the torso 14 up to the head 16.

The base 24 receives an adapter 70 which has two snap feet 72 on its bottom for frictionally mating with a base slot 74. The adapter 70 includes an adapter slot 76 for frictionally receiving the electrical connector 36 of the memory stick 22.

It should be noted that the head 16, torso 14 and base 24 have been illustrated in basic amorphous shapes and thus do not include the detail of specific characters or designs in these figures. However it is contemplated that various specific and recognizable shapes, designs, and dimensions will be incorporated in the invention so as to distinguish and correlate a specific bobblehead character with a famous character, person or design.

The upper body portion 12 may be placed on the lower body portion 20 during shipping and storage, or alternatively before or after integration of the memory device 22. It should be appreciated that the upper body portion 12 includes a cavity 28 that corresponds in size and shape to that of the memory device 22. Furthermore, the shape of the upper body portion 12 should correspond and complement the shape of the lower body portion 20 such that the upper body portion 12 sits securely on the lower body portion 20 regardless of whether the memory device 22 has been removed or not.

The upper body portion 12 can be suitably modeled to represent a famous personality such as an athlete, movie actor, politician, or the like. The lower body portion 20 is modeled accordingly to represent the lower portion of the character. Any relevant name, writing, or design can be imprinted on the base 24. For example, logos, copy, a personality or team name, etc., can be imprinted on the base 24. Caps (not shown) or other related accessories or insignia can also be included on the head 16 when appropriate for the character. The cap can be imprinted with a team logo or some related design. Accordingly, the novelty toy device is a desirable collectible item in its own right.

The memory device 22 may be a conventional Universal Serial Bus (USB) memory stick of any standard commercial memory size such as 250 Megabytes up to or beyond 60 Gigabytes. The manufacturer may include pre-loaded data, text, pictures, games or software as desired to fit or attract a specific audience or market segment. Thus the data content is completely configurable by the manufacturer. However the memory device 22 may also be configured such that the consumer may use it later to store his own data. It is therefore envisioned that the memory device may be configured as read only or read and write depending on its intended use. The consumer uses the USB memory device in a conventional manner by plugging it into a USB receptacle of a desktop, laptop or other device capable of interfacing with a USB memory stick.

Given that the memory device 22 is an assembled part into the bobblehead toy 10, it is further envisioned that other memory devices not yet in commercial use may be incorporated over time into the bobblehead toy 10 as they become commercially available.

Having thus described the invention with particular reference to the preferred forms thereof, it will be obvious that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An improved novelty toy device comprising:

an upper body portion having an internal cavity with an opening leading to said cavity,

a wobbly head attached to said upper body;

a lower body portion having a memory device attached at a first end, and a base formed at a second end of said lower body portion;

said memory device configured to be slidably received into said cavity through said opening when said lower body is mated with said upper body;

wherein said upper body portion is configured to alternatively cover and expose said memory portion, and further

wherein said upper body portion is recognizably modeled after a real person or identifiable character.

2. The improved novelty toy device of claim 1, wherein said lower body portion further includes a flat base.

3. The improved novelty toy device of claim 1, including a projection extending from said lower body portion for attaching said memory device.

4. The improved novelty toy device of claim 1, wherein said cavity corresponds in size and shape to the size and shape of said memory device.

5. The improved novelty toy device of claim 1 further comprising a neck having a proximal end attached to said upper body portion, and a distal end of said neck for flexibly attaching said wobbly head.

6. The improved novelty toy device of claim 5 further comprising a spring having a proximal end attached to said distal neck end, and a distal spring end for attaching said wobbly head.

7. The improved novelty toy device of claim 6 wherein any relative movement between said wobbly head and said upper body portion imparts a random pattern of relative movement between said wobbly head and said upper body portion.

8. The improved novelty toy device of claim 6 wherein any relative movement between said wobbly head and said upper body portion imparts a predetermined pattern of relative movement between said wobbly head and said upper body portion.

9. The improved novelty toy device of claim 1 wherein said recognizable real person or identifiable character becomes a collectors item.

10. The improved novelty toy device of claim 2 wherein said base further comprises a visible well known name, trademark or logo.

11. The improved novelty toy device of claim 2 wherein said base further comprises a handle.

12. The improved novelty toy device of claim 1 wherein said wobbly head further comprises head accessories.

13. The improved novelty toy device of claim 12 wherein said head accessories include sunglasses, hats, helmets, baseball hats, or jewelry.

14. The improved novelty toy device of claim 1 wherein said memory device is attached to said lower body portion by an adhesive.

15. The improved novelty toy device of claim 1 wherein said opening is circumscribed by an upper mating surface and said lower body upper end is circumscribed by a lower mating surface.

16. The improved novelty toy device of claim 15 wherein said upper body and said lower body are securely coupled when said upper mating surface engages said lower mating surface.

17. The improved novelty toy device of claim 1 wherein said recognizable real person or identifiable character is one of a movie personality, sports figure, politician, scientist, athlete, television, radio or internet personality.

18. The improved novelty toy device of claim 1 wherein said recognizable real person or identifiable character is an infamous personality.

19. An improved novelty toy device comprising:

an upper body portion having an internal cavity with an opening leading to said cavity,

a lower body portion having a memory device attached at a first end, and a base formed at a second end of said lower body portion;

said memory device configured to be slidably received into said cavity through said opening when said lower body is mated with said upper body;

wherein said upper body portion is configured to alternatively cover and expose said memory portion, and further

wherein said upper body portion and said lower body portion are modeled after a real celebrity.

20. An improved novelty toy device comprising:

an upper body portion having an internal cavity with an opening leading to said cavity,

a lower body portion having a memory device attached at a first end, and a base formed at a second end of said lower body portion;

said memory device configured to be slidably received into said cavity through said opening when said lower body is mated with said upper body;

wherein said upper body portion is configured to alternatively cover and expose said memory portion, and further

wherein said upper body portion and said lower body portion are modeled after an identifiable person or character.