NOVELTY GIFT - CAT IN THE BOX

Abstract

The present invention is a novelty gift that includes a power supply such as a DC voltage source, a motor with an eccentric loading that can cause a shimmy or vibration when operated, an audio card or sound player with speaker to emit a recorded sound, and a processor that can receive a proximal wireless signal and actuate the motor and audio card simultaneously or sequentially. The device includes a small remote device that can be preferably hidden in the palm of a hand, and can activate the device with the press of a button on the remote. Once activated, the motor will produce vibrations that are transferred to the box itself, while the audio card emits sounds through the speaker simulating an animal.

Description

BACKGROUND

Novelty items are often used as gifts between friends and offer an opportunity for levity and good memories. Truly memorable novelty items can capture one's imagination and rise to the level of a fad or craze. Characteristics of the best novelty items are surprise and cleverness, particularly items that can appear as one thing and unexpectedly turn into something else.

Most gag gifts, however, are low brow and simplistic, from cups that unexpectedly dribble to flatulence cushions to simulated animal excrement. What the art is missing is a humorous, creative gift that will entertain many people and is always in good taste.

Examples of other patented novelty items include U.S. Pat. No. 3,623,263 to J. A. Frampton, which discloses an amusement device in the form of a gift type box having an openable container for a flexible animal-simulating body, such as a snake. A lever mechanism is connected between the cover section and the creature body to impart a life-like movement to the creature body when the cover is moved to its open position to thus surprise the unwary inquisitor. U.S. Pat. No. 5,795,209 to S. J. Moore discloses a package amusement device for producing sound or light upon interaction with a package. The system comprises a detection apparatus coupled with packaging material for detecting interaction with the packaging material, and a microprocessor apparatus coupled to the packaging material and electronically connected to the detection apparatus for generating a pre-programmed signal with respect to the type of interaction. U.S. Pat. No. 7,116,233 to D. V. Zhurin discloses a sound-reproducing package that comprises a housing for storing a consumer product, a sound signal reproducing unit electronically connected to a power supply, a loudspeaker, at least one external activation sensor connected to the sound signal reproducing unit, and a package state sensor operative to form a signal corresponding to an open or closed state of the package, or the presence or absence of a consumer product in it. The package state sensor is connected to the sound signal reproducing unit operative to select from its memory sound signals for reproducing depending on the signal from the package state sensor. U.S. Pub. No. 2007/053638A1 to J. M. Lebbing discloses a motion sensor-triggered personalized message celebration device provides a personalized message to someone who is celebrating an event such as a birthday, graduation, holiday, holy day, wedding or the like.

Each of these disclosures are representative of the art, but lack the combination and features of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a remote control operated audio device with motion actuator that can be used to prank an unsuspecting recipient and simulates a trapped animal in a gift box. The device is placed in a gift box, which is wrapped and given to a recipient. The audio device can be surreptitiously activated when the recipient begins to unwrap the gift, while the motion actuator is simultaneously initiated to simulate an animal trying to escape the gift box. The combination of the sound effects (e.g., animal sounds) and sudden random vibrational movements of the motion actuator is designed to trick the recipient into believing an animal, such as a cat, is attempting to escape the box. Once the box is opened and the trick revealed, the device is suitable for reuse and can be utilized with a variety of packaging and containers.

The device is preferably enclosed in a housing that includes a power supply such as a DC voltage source, a motor with an eccentric loading that can cause a shimmy or vibration when operated, an audio card or sound player with speaker to emit a recorded sound, and a processor that can receive a proximal wireless signal and actuate the motor and audio card simultaneously or sequentially. The housing can have an adhesive side, such as a double sided tape, to firmly but reusably apply the device to the wall of an ordinary gift box. The device includes a small remote device that can be preferably hidden in the palm of a hand, and can activate the device with the press of a button on the remote. Once activated, the motor will produce vibrations that are transferred to the box itself, while the audio card emits sounds through the speaker simulating an animal.

These and other features of the invention will best be understood with reference to the detailed description of the invention and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevated, perspective view of a gift box, partially cut-away, with the invention, including its remote control; and

FIG. 2 is a schematic of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention's electronic components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is a novelty gift that can be reused over and over again as a fake present that can simulate a cat (or other animal) trapped in a box. FIG. 1 shows an ordinary gift box 10 that is made of cardboard or other lightweight material and has a lid 12 that opens to expose an interior space defined by four walls and a floor. The interior space can be filled with a weight of some kind that corresponds with the weight that one would expect if a preselected type of animal were hiding inside the box. In proximity with the gift box is a small remote control 14 for actuating the device 20 inside the box 10 by depressing a button or some similar activation mechanism. The remote control 14 should be capable of sending a wireless signal 15 to the device through the box 10 from some distance in the range of three feet to twenty feet or more. The operator of the remote control 14 is preferably present and watching the unsuspecting recipient and can best determine the optimal timing to actuate the device in the box. Alternate modes for actuating the device in the box can be a timer, motion sensor, level sensor, etc.

FIG. 2 is a schematic of the device 20 that is placed in the box 10. The device 20 includes a housing 22 that encloses the electronics of the device, where the housing 22 can be plastic, aluminum, or some suitable lightweight material. On a first side of the housing 22 is an adhesive tape, patch, or strip that allows the device 20 to be attached to the inside floor of the box 10. The adhesive material is preferably reusable but not so strong as to damage the box 10 or the adhesive once removed. Inside the housing 22 is a power supply 24 with a switch 26 that allows the device to be manually turned on and off. The power supply 24 is connected to a relay 28 that may be part of a processing unit 30 with a receiver 31 tuned for the remote control 14. The processing unit 30 is connected to an audio device 32 that can store audio on a memory device. In a preferred embodiment, the audio device 32 has record and play 34 capability and a microphone 37 so that the user can record a specific sound/message/greeting for the recipient. The audio device is connected to a speaker 36 that plays the stored audio when the power is connected to the audio device 32.

The power supply 24 is also connected to a motor 40 that includes a spinning component 42 that may be eccentrically loaded with a weight 44 to cause a vibration when the motor is activated. The electrical power can be directed through a random output generator 48 and motor output relay 49 to cause a random movement of the box, leading to a more realistic appearance of an organic being in the box rather than a mechanical device. The device 20 can play the audio device and cause the motor to oscillate with random vibrations upon activation of the system by the remote control 14.

In operation, the device 20 is attached to the gift box 10 by the adhesive strip and the switch 26 is turned to the on position, whereupon the box 10 is closed and wrapped. The stored audio on the audio device 32 may have prerecorded sounds such as a cat purring, screeching, etc., or the record/play option would allow the user to record a specific audio for the situation. The gift box 10 is then given to the recipient for opening as if it were any other present. The user preferably has the remote control 14 hidden but ready to activate as the recipient holds or observes the gift box 10. As the recipient receives the box, the remote control 14 is activated such that a signal is sent from the remote control 14 to the processing unit 30 with the receiver, which receives the signal from the remote control and closes a switch to send power to the audio device 32. The audio device begins to play the stored audio on the audio device through the speaker 36 while a relay sends power to the random output generator that actuates the motor 40. The motor 40 spins the eccentrically weighted component 42, causing the device 20 and box 10 to vibrate or shimmy while audio sounds are emitted though the box. The effect is to simulate the presence of an animal, such as a cat, trying to escape the box while the recipient is left to wonder what is happening.

The invention can be used to simulate many different types of animals, from a cat to a snake to something more exotic, using the stored audio to simulate the type of animal. The amount of vibration can also be used to suggest a larger or smaller animal as the situation dictates. There can be other variations of the invention as to the various components without departing from the spirit of the invention, and a person of ordinary skill in the art would readily recognize various substitutions and modifications apart from the disclosed and depicted embodiments. The invention is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments herein, but rather is intended to include and incorporate all such substitutions and modifications. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is not limited to any specific description or depiction herein, but rather is properly determined by the words of the appended claims using their ordinary meanings consistent with, but not limited by, this disclosure.

Claims

1. A novelty device, comprising:

a wireless remote control; and

an animal simulating unit having a housing, a power supply within the housing, a switch for controlling the power supply, an eccentrically weighted motor, a random output generator coupled to the eccentrically weighted motor for generating random motion, a processor having a receiver adapted to receive a signal from the wireless remote control, and audio device, and a speaker;

wherein the wireless remote control sends a signal to the processor to initiate the motor to cause ransom vibration influenced by the random output generator while simultaneously initiating audio to be played through the speaker from the audio unit.

2. The novelty device of claim 1, wherein the audio device is an audio card having record and play capability.

3. The novelty device of claim 2, wherein the animal simulating unit simulates a cat.