NZ622426B - Motorized gift package accessory - Google Patents
Motorized gift package accessoryInfo
- Publication number
- NZ622426B NZ622426B NZ622426A NZ62242614A NZ622426B NZ 622426 B NZ622426 B NZ 622426B NZ 622426 A NZ622426 A NZ 622426A NZ 62242614 A NZ62242614 A NZ 62242614A NZ 622426 B NZ622426 B NZ 622426B
- Authority
- NZ
- New Zealand
- Prior art keywords
- gift
- greeting card
- bow
- motor
- motor module
- Prior art date
Links
- 230000033001 locomotion Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 68
- 230000004913 activation Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000006260 foam Substances 0.000 description 20
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 20
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 20
- 241000894007 species Species 0.000 description 12
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 7
- 210000003128 head Anatomy 0.000 description 5
- 230000001960 triggered effect Effects 0.000 description 5
- 239000000123 paper Substances 0.000 description 4
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000011087 paperboard Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000001360 synchronised effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- VTYYLEPIZMXCLO-UHFFFAOYSA-L Calcium carbonate Chemical class [Ca+2].[O-]C([O-])=O VTYYLEPIZMXCLO-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 1
- 241000156961 Coenonympha Species 0.000 description 1
- 241001465754 Metazoa Species 0.000 description 1
- 239000011111 cardboard Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002996 emotional effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000007717 exclusion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003292 glue Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003534 oscillatory effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001151 other effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004806 packaging method and process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 235000012434 pretzels Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000009987 spinning Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A44—HABERDASHERY; JEWELLERY
- A44C—PERSONAL ADORNMENTS, e.g. JEWELLERY; COINS
- A44C3/00—Medals; Badges
- A44C3/001—Badges
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
- B42D—BOOKS; BOOK COVERS; LOOSE LEAVES; PRINTED MATTER CHARACTERISED BY IDENTIFICATION OR SECURITY FEATURES; PRINTED MATTER OF SPECIAL FORMAT OR STYLE NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DEVICES FOR USE THEREWITH AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; MOVABLE-STRIP WRITING OR READING APPARATUS
- B42D15/00—Printed matter of special format or style not otherwise provided for
- B42D15/02—Postcards; Greeting, menu, business or like cards; Letter cards or letter-sheets
- B42D15/022—Postcards; Greeting, menu, business or like cards; Letter cards or letter-sheets combined with permanently fastened sound-producing or light-emitting means or carrying sound records
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
- B42D—BOOKS; BOOK COVERS; LOOSE LEAVES; PRINTED MATTER CHARACTERISED BY IDENTIFICATION OR SECURITY FEATURES; PRINTED MATTER OF SPECIAL FORMAT OR STYLE NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DEVICES FOR USE THEREWITH AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; MOVABLE-STRIP WRITING OR READING APPARATUS
- B42D15/00—Printed matter of special format or style not otherwise provided for
- B42D15/02—Postcards; Greeting, menu, business or like cards; Letter cards or letter-sheets
- B42D15/027—Postcards; Greeting, menu, business or like cards; Letter cards or letter-sheets combined with permanently fastened other articles, e.g. photographs
Abstract
motorized gift accessory 80 comprising a gift bow 82, a motor module operative to cause movement to the gift bow, an attachment arm which connects the gift bow to the motor module in a perpendicular manner, a base structure 81 comprising a substantially planar top surface, a substantially planar bottom surface opposite the top surface, a perimeter surface 86 which extends between all perimeter edges of the top surface and all perimeter edges of the bottom surface, and a cavity therein for storage of the motor module 84, a push button switch 85 which is separate from the gift bow and which extends outward from the base structure, which causes activation of the motor module. The gift bow 82 extends upward from and perpendicular to the base structure 81. ottom surface opposite the top surface, a perimeter surface 86 which extends between all perimeter edges of the top surface and all perimeter edges of the bottom surface, and a cavity therein for storage of the motor module 84, a push button switch 85 which is separate from the gift bow and which extends outward from the base structure, which causes activation of the motor module. The gift bow 82 extends upward from and perpendicular to the base structure 81.
Description
MOTORIZED GIFT PACKAGE ACCESSORY
INTENTIONALL Y LEFT BLANK
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to greeting cards and more specifically, to
greeting cards having one or more moving elements and functions which create motion.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
For many years paper greeting cards containing text sentiment and
associated artwork have been widely used for celebratory occasions such as birthdays,
graduations, weddings, and for other commercial purposes. More recently, greeting cards
have been enhanced by incorporating sound and other effects. Sound generating devices
have been incorporated into traditional paper greeting cards to increase entertainment value
and emotional impact. In some forms, a talking or musical greeting card looks just like a
conventional greeting card, except that it includes a hidden sound module with a pre
recorded sound track. Opening the greeting card will automatically tum on or close a
switch so that the sound module will play the pre-stored music or dialog and closing the
greeting card wiIl automatically open the switch and stop the play of the music or dialog.
There is a need in the art for a greeting card that increases the entertainment
value and raises the surprise factor of traditional or sound generating greeting cards that
30106/I4,dh-op2363 - speci - cdm.docx,I
may still be mailed to a recipient and is relatively similar in size and thickness to a
traditional paper greeting.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004a] The invention provides a motorized gift accessory comprising: a gift
bow; a motor module operative to cause movement to the gift bow; an attachment
arm which connects the gift bow to the motor module in a perpendicular maImer; a
base structure comprising a substantially planar top surface, a substantially planar
bottom surface opposite the top surface, a perimeter surface which extend between
of the top surface and all perimeter edges of the bottom surface,
all perimeter edges
and a cavity therein for storage of the motor module; a push button switch which is
separate from the gift bow and which extends outward from the base structure, which
causes activation of the motor module; wherein the gift bow extends upward from
and perpendicular to the base structure.
A first embodiment of the present invention and related disclosure
includes a multi-panel greeting card body, a sound module concealed between two
panels of the greeting card body, a motor module concealed between two panels of
the greeting card body, a mobile object attached to the motor module, a power
supply, at least one pre-recorded digital audio file saved within the sound module,
and a switch which activates the sound module and the motor module upon opening
of the greeting card, activation of the motor module causing movement of the mobile
object and activation of the sound module causing the at least one pre-recorded
digital audio file to play.
Another embodiment includes a multi-panel greeting card body, a
sound module, a motor module, a mobile object comprising two or more die cut
pieces that are connected to each other at a connection point such that the two or
more die cut pieces are pivotable about the connection point, the mobile object being
attached to a connecting rod, the connecting rod being attached to the motor module
and the connecting rod being concealed between the greeting card body and the
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- 2a-
mobile object, at least one die cut piece having a front surface and a back surface, the
at least one die cut piece being located proximate to the mobile object, a spring
mechanism that is attached at one end to the greeting card body and attached at the
other end to the at least one die cut piece, a switch to activate the sound module and
the motor module wherein when the sound module is activated, a pre-recorded audio
clip is played and when the motor module is activated, the connecting rod and mobile
object are set in motion.
Still another embodiment includes a three-dimensional foam greeting
card body, a first planar surface attached to a front surface of the three-dimensional
foam greeting card body, a second planar surface attached to a back surface of the
three-dimensional foam greeting card body, a movable object attached to the first
planar surface and connected to a motor module through an opening in the three
dimensional foam greeting card body and the first planar surface, a sound module
encased and concealed
lS/0S/JS,dh-op2363 - specipg2 - cdrn.docx,2
within the three-dimensional foam greeting card body, a motor module encased and
concealed within the three-dimensional foam greeting card body, a power source, and a
push button switch, wherein when the push button switch is pressed, the sound module is
activated causing a pre-recorded digital audio file to play, and the motor module is
activated causing the mobile object to move or vibrate in an up-and-down motion.
Yet another embodiment of the motion greeting cards of the present
invention includes a multi-panel greeting card, a sound module, a motor module having a
rotating gear mechanism that when activated tums a circular gear, a mobile object attached
to the circular gear of the motor module, a power supply, at least one pre-recorded digital
audio file saved within the sound module, and a switch which activates the sound and
motor modules module causing the at least one pre-recorded digital audio file to play and
causing circular or rotational movement of the mobile object.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
is a front view of an inside panel of a first embodiment of the motion
greeting cards of the present invention.
is a cutaway view of the motion greeting card of
[0011 ] is a front view of an inside panel ofa second embodiment of the
motion greeting cards of the present invention.
is a cutaway view of the motion greeting card of
is a front view of an inside panel of a third embodiment of the
motion greeting cards of the present invention.
is a front view of the motor module of the motion greeting card of
is an exploded view of the inside panel of the motion greeting card
of
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is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the motion greeting
cards of the present invention.
is an internal view of the motion greeting card of
is a perspective view of the motor ofthe motion greeting card of
and
is a cross-section view of the motor of .
is a perspective view of fifth embodiment of the motion greeting
card of the present invention, in an open position.
is a tear away view of the motion greeting card of .
is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the motion
greeting card of claim 12, in an open position.
is a tear away view of the motion greeting card of .
is a perspective view the motorized gift package accessory ofthe
present invention.
is a perspective tear-away the motorized gift package accessory of
.
is an internal view of the motorized gift package accessory of from the perspective of arrows 18-18.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED AND ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS
The motion greeting cards of the present invention and related disclosure
combine movement with sound and a photograph, illustration or digital art to create a new
and novel category of greeting card. Each embodiment features a mobile object that is
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powered by a small motor and which simulates motions including, but not limited to,
dancing, bouncing, hopping, shaking and spinning. Audio including music, voice and/or
sound effect may accompany the motion and may be triggered before, after, or
simultaneously with the motion effect. The mechanized movement may be synchronized
with the audio.
A first embodiment of the motion greeting cards 100 of the present
invention contains at least one motor module 10 which causes the movement or
"bouncing" of at least one mobile object 14 associated with a greeting card body 12. As
used herein, the telID "bouncing" is used to describe up and down motion, side to side
motion or any other reciprocating motion. In a preferred embodiment, the greeting card
body 12 contains three greeting card panels. A first panel that is connected to a second
panel along a first fold line and a third panel connected to the second panel along a second
fold line. The first panel serves as the front cover of the greeting card. The third greeting
card panel is folded along the second fold line such that it overlies the second panel and
creates an internal cavity wherein the greeting card electronics can be concealed. The
electronic components, including a sound module 16 and a motor module 10, are attached
to the second panel and the second and third panels are attached, adhesively or othelwise,
along at least one edge of the second and third panels. A small opening or aperture may
exist on the third panel so that the motor component 10 can be connected to the moving or
"bouncing" object 14 attached thereto, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The sound module 16
may contain any and all components necessary to store and produce or emit sound. The
motor module 10 may contain any and all components necessary to create movement of the
mobile object. Some of the internal electronic components may include, but are not
limited to: at least one circuit board 18; at least one integrated circuit chip 20; at least one
power source 22; at least one speaker 24; at least one motor 10, at least one switch 26 and
at least one pre-recorded digital audio clip. The electronic components of the greeting
cards described herein are considered to be readily understood and appreciated by one of
ordinary skill in the art and are therefore not discussed in detail herein. The motor 10 may
be of the type shown in and , having a rotating arm 28 or shaft,
which may be an offset shaft which creates oscillatory motion upon rotation of the shaft by
the motor. A lightweight movement mechanism 30 is attached at one end to the rotating
arm 28 of the motor 10 and at an opposite end to the greeting cards mobile object 14 via an
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attachment mechanism 66. In a preferred embodiment, the mobile object 14 is die cut
shape of a person, animated character, animal or any other object having a substantially
planar front and back surface so that it will fit within the panels of the greeting card 100
without substantially increasing the thickness of the greeting card 100. The mobile object
14 must be connected to the movement mechanism 30 which is in turn connected to the
rotating arm 28 of the motor 10 so that when the motor 10 is activated, the mobile object
14 moves or "bounces". The motor 10 may be activated upon the user opening the
greeting card 100. A slide switch 26 may be located across the first fold line between the
first and second greeting card panels such that when the greeting card is opened, the
electronic components are activated. The slide switch 26 may activate both the pre
recorded sound clip and the motor 10 so that when the greeting card 100 is opened, the pre
recorded sound clip will play along with the movement ofthe mobile object 14 contained
within the greeting card 100. The sound clip, mobile object 14 and greeting card atiwork
may all be coordinated with a particular theme or occasion. The movements of the mobile
object 14 may be synchronized with the audio clip such as, for example, by operation of
the motor 10 while the sound module 16 is turned on, or by motion of the mobile object 14
in synch with a song, music or sound clip played by the sound module 16. Alternatively,
the greeting card 100 may contain separate switches such that the sound and motion are not
activated simultaneously. For example, the sound may be triggered by a slide switch 26
upon opening the greeting card 100. Once the greeting card 100 is opened, a push button
or other switch mechanism may be used to activate the motion. In an alternate
embodiment, where the mobile object 14 is located on the outside of the greeting card 100,
such as on the front face ofthe card, the motion and/or sound may be triggered by a push
button mechanism also located on the front face of the greeting card 100.
In a second embodiment, shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the greeting card 200
contains a motor module 32 which allows one or more mobile objects 34 associated with a
greeting card body 36 to spin or rotate. The greeting card body 36 configuration may be
the same as described above with regard to the first embodiment, having three greeting
card panels attached along a first and second fold line. The electronic components are
attached to the second panel and concealed by the overlapping third panel which is
attached to the second panel along at least two edges of the second and third panels. The
third panel may contain a small hole or apeliure to connect the motor 32 to a mobile object
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34. The motor 32 may be of the type shown in having a rotating gear mechanism
37 that when activated turns a circular gear 38. A connecting rod 40 is located between
and connects the gear 38 and the mobile object 34 (through the hole or aperture in the third
panel of the greeting card). As the gear 38 is rotated by the gear mechanism 37, it in tum
causes the moveable object 34 to rotate or "spin". A slide switch 26 may activate a pre
recorded sound clip and the motor 32 upon opening of the greeting card 200. The sound
and motor 32 may alternatively be activated by separate switches. The moveable object 34
may be contained on the inside of the greeting card 200 or on the outside front cover of the
greeting card 200. The mobile object 34 may be a die cut shape such as a fan, a wheel or
any other rotating object.
In a third embodiment, shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the motion greeting card
300 of the present invention contains at least one motor module 42 that is associated with
at least one body of a character 44 which, when activated allows the body 44 to move or to
"dance" to the music or sound contained within the audio module. The greeting card body
46 may have three panels, as described above, with the second and third panels
overlapping and concealing the greeting card electronics and related circuitry. The third
panel may have a small opening or aperture which allows the motor 42 to be connected to
the mobile object 44. The front panel may also contain a cut-out portion in the shape of
the character head 48 so that it may be seen without opening the greeting card 400. The
motor module 42 may be of the type shown in having a rotating gear mechanism
37 that when activated turns a circular gear 38, which is in tum attached to a connecting
rod 40. The mobile object 44 is attached to the other end of the connecting rod 40. The
character body 44 contains several separate and distinct pieces or elements representing the
arms 52, legs 54 and main body 44 of the character. Each arm 52 and leg 54 is made from
two separate die cut pieces. Each of the limbs 52, 54 are connected together and to the
character using fiber optic strands so that the body 44 and limbs 52, 54 may move or pivot
freely about the attachment point while moving in a reciprocating motion, giving the
illusion that the character is dancing. The character head 48 is separated from the body 44
and is connected to a spring mechanism 68 that connects the character head 48 to the front
surface of the third greeting card panel 46 and projects the character head 48 out beyond
the position of the body 44. The character head 48 projects through the front of the
greeting card through the cut-out contained in the first card panel. When the greeting card
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is opened, the audio and motor modules 42 are activated and the character body 44 and
component parts of the character body move in a reciprocating motion and appear to dance
to the sound or music played by the audio module.
In a fourth embodiment, shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the motion greeting card
400 of the present invention contains a motor module 56 that is associated with a three
dimensional card body 58 having one or more moving parts and designed as a character
which, when activated moves in a reciprocating motion, thereby appearing to talk or sing.
In this embodiment, the greeting card body 58 is substantially made of foam having a
three-dimensional character printed on the front face of the card. When a user presses a
push button 60 located on the front face of the greeting card, the audio and motor modules
56 are activated, causing the one or more moving parts to move in a reciprocating motion
with respect to the greeting card body 58 thus the making it appear as though the character
is talking or singing. A first greeting card panel is attached to the front surface of a foam
encasement. The foam encasement houses and conceals the electronic components,
including the sound and motor modules 56, of the greeting card 400. A second greeting
card panel is connected to a third greeting card panel along a first fold line. The back
surface of the second greeting card panel is attached to the back surface of the foam
encasement such that the first and second greeting card panels and the foam encasement
(which is located between the first and second greeting card panels) serves as the front
cover or page of the greeting card and the third greeting card panel serves as the back page
or panel of the greeting card. A separate fourth panel is attached via an attachment
mechanism 66 to the front panel and serves as the mobile object 62. The panel 62 may be
shaped like a mouth or may be shaped to cOlTespond to the artwork printed on the front
panel of the card such that when the motor module is activated, thereby moving the fomih
panel in a reciprocating motion, it gives the illusion that the character is talking or singing.
The fourth panel 62 may contain additional three-dimensional features such as moving
eyes 64, etc. The motor 56 may be of the type shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 and described
above as having a rotating arm 28 and movement mechanism 30 that is attached to the
mobile object 62 or fourth panel 62 via an attachment mechanism 66.
Similarly, another embodiment, shown in FIGS. 12 through 15, may
include a three-dimensional card body 72 made of foam or other lightweight foam-like
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material. The three-dimensional card body 72 may have a front surface, a back surface
opposite the front surface, and a perimeter surface therebetween. The front surface of the
card body may contain a front cover material 71A and the back surface of the card body
may contain a back cover material (not shown). The front 71A and back cover material
may be paperboard, cardboard, or other such material. The perimeter surface may remain
uncovered and visible between the front and back cover material or may optionally be
covered as well. A sound module operative to store and playback at least one audio file is
contained within the three-dimensional card body 72. A motor module 75 operative to
effect movement of a movable object is also contained within the three dimensional card
body 72. A mobile object 73 is connected to the motor 75 through an opening in the three
dimensional card body 72 and the front cover material 71A. In a preferred embodiment,
the mobile object 73 is a die cut shape (such as the pretzel shape shown in FIGS. 12 and
13), although other items can be used as a mobile object such as a plastic molded figurine
or any other item having a relatively low profile. The mobile object 73 may also contain
added embellishments or decorative effects attached thereto. A greeting card sentiment
panel 74 may be attached along a fold line to either the front 71A or back cover material,
thereby creating a traditional two-panel greeting card. The sentiment panel 74, along with
the front 71A and/or back cover material may contain various text greetings or messages
and printed artwork, graphics, photographs, or any other printed indicia. The sentiment
panel 74 and front 71A and back cover material may also contain three dimensional
embellishments attached thereto. In one example, shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the
sentiment panel 74 is attached to the front cover material 71A such that the sentiment panel
74 serves as the front cover of the greeting card and is folded over the three-dimensional
card body 72. The mobile object 73 may, as in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 14 and
, be contained between the sentiment panel 74 and the front cover material 71A
(attached to the motor through the front cover material) so that when the user opens the
greeting card by moving the sentiment panel 74 away from the three-dimensional card
body 72, the mobile object 73 would be visible. In another embodiment (FIGS. 12 and
13), the mobile object may 73 be attached to the motor 75 through an opening in the front
cover material 71A but be visible from the front of the greeting card and not located
between the sentiment panel 74 and front cover material 71A. In this case, the three
dimensional card body 72 may be larger in size than the sentiment panel 74 such that the
sentiment panel 74 only covers part of the three-dimensional card body 72. The sound and
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motor modules may be activated upon opening the greeting card by moving the sentiment
panel 74 away from the three-dimensional card body 72. In a preferred embodiment, a
magnetic switch 76 may be located within the sentiment panel 74 and also beneath the
front cover material 71A such that when the sentiment panel 74 is in a closed position, the
magnets 76A, 76B are in contact, thereby breaking the electrical circuit. When the
greeting card is moved to an open position by moving the sentiment panel 74 away from
the three-dimensional foam card 72 the magnets 76A, 76B break contact and allow the
electrical circuit to be completed, thereby providing power to the sound and/or motor
modules. While this embodiment has been described as having a magnetic switch or
trigger, other switch mechanisms can be used such as slide switches, light sensitive
switches, touch sensitive switches, pull string switches, or any other suitable switch. When
a user opens the card 70, the magnetic switch 76 activates the sound and motor modules so
that the sound module initiates playback of the at least on audio file and the motor module
moves the motor 75 to effect movement of the mobile object 73. As discussed above with
respect to the other embodiments, the movement of the mobile object 73 may be in an up
and-down, back-and-forth, circular, vibrational, or any other conceivable motion.
Another embodiment, shown in FIGS. 16 through 18, is a motorized gift
package accessory 80 with internal sound and motor modules. The motorized gift package
accessory 80 can be used to adorn a gift package while adding increased enteliainment
value thereto. A gift packaging bow 82 or other decorative effect is attached via an
attachment mechanism (as described above with respect to the aforementioned
embodiments) to a motor 84 which is contained and concealed within a foam housing 86
with a push button switch 88 used to activate the motor module causing movement of the
bow 82 and the sound module causing playback of at least one audio file contained in
memory within the sound module. The bow 82 portion of the motorized gift package
accessory 80 may be a typical decorative bow having valious interlaced ribbons or other
material with various knots, loops, ties, twists, ringlets, loose ends, or other decorative
arrangements. The bow 82 may also contain additional adornments 83 such as die cut
shapes, moving googly eyes, or any other decorative accessory. The bow 82 is connected
at one end to an attachment arm or mechanism 85 which is also attached at an opposite end
to a motor 84. The motor 84, when powered, causes movement to the bow 82. The motor
be of the type described above and shown in FIGS. 6 or 10 or any other miniature
84 may
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motor type capable of producing any type of reciprocating motion. The motor 82 and
sound modules are contained and concealed in a base stmcture 86. The sound module is
operative to store and playback one or more digital audio files. The base stmcture 86, in a
preferred embodiment, is made of foam, although any other lightweight matelial can be
used. In the preferred embodiment, the base 86 is circular shaped having two separate
circular foam pieces attached together using glue or other adhesive. Each of the foam
pieces may have openings or cavities therein to accommodate the electronic and other
components of the sound and motor modules. These components may include, but are not
limited to: a circuit board 18, an integrated circuit, a power source 22, a speaker 24, a
motor 84, and any other component which is required or which facilitates or improves
storage and playback of digital audio and physical movement of a moveable object. These
components are well known to one having skill in the art. A thin, planar paper or paper
like matelial 81 may be attached, adhesively or otherwise, to the outward planar surfaces
of the two foam pieces which comprise the base stmcture 86. The planar material 81
located at the bottom of the base stmcture 86, opposite the bow 82, may contain an
adhesive thereon with removable backing layer to facilitate attachment of the motorized
gift accessory 80 to a gift package or other item. Although the base stmcture 86 is
described as being two separate, circular pieces of foam, it may alternatively be a single
piece of foam with one or more cavities therein and it may take any conceivable shape. In
a preferred embodiment, the base stmcture 86 may have a diameter of between 3 and 6
inches. In a preferred embodiment, a push button switch 88 controls activation of both the
sound and motor modules. The push button 88 is enveloped within a paperboard or other
similar material 89 which conceals the push button 88 and the wires connecting the push
button 88 to the internal electronic components. The matelial 89 surrounding the push
button 88 may be the same or different from the matelial encasing the wires. The material
89 over the push button 88 may contain printing thereon instmcting the user to "Press
Here"; "Make Me Sing"; "Make Me Dance" or other phrase instmcting the user where to
press to effect movement of the bow 82 and to initiate playback of audio. Pressing the
button 88 will initiate playback of the one or more pre-recorded digital audio saved within
the sound module while also powering the motor module causing movement of the bow
82. The bow 82 may move in a circular, twisting, back and forth, up and down, vibrating
or other type of motion, while the audio plays simultaneously. The audio or movement
may automatically stop after a certain amount of time has passed or pressing the push
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button 88 may be required to stop the audio and movement of the bow 82. While the
motorized gift package accessory 80 has been described herein as a bow 82 and in terms of
a particular size and shape, other decorative structures in other sizes or shapes have been
contemplated and are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.
Although the switches described herein with respect to the examples given
are described as being slide switches or push-button switches, the use of other types of
switches is considered to be within the scope of this invention. Alternate switch
mechanisms include, but are not limited to: light activated switches; sound activated
switches; touch sensor switches, magnetic switches; and contact mm switches.
All vm'iations of the motion greeting cards, including those described above,
may additionally include a microphone and related electronics that would allow a user to
record and save one or more personalized messages to be played before, during, after or in
place of a pre-recorded sound clip. The personalized message may be played before a pre
recorded audio clip to, for example, introduce the pre-recorded audio clip or may be played
after the pre-recorded audio clip to, for example, leave a personalized message to end the
audio experience. The personalized message may also be played simultaneously with the
pre-recorded audio clip wherein the user may sing-along to a pre-recorded song or
instrumental audio clip, karaoke style. The personalized message may be triggered by the
same switch mechanism that triggers the pre-recorded audio file or by a separate switch
which may be a slide switch, a push button, a light-activated switch, motion sensor switch,
or any other type of switch. The sound module may also include voice changing
capabilities wherein a user may record a personalized message and then choose to alter the
recorded voice message by increasing or decreasing the pitch or by speeding up or slowing
down the cadence ofthe message. The sound module may also have the ability to store
more than one personalized messages which can be played, in any combination before,
during, after or in place of a pre-recorded audio clip. The additional messages may be
triggered by the same trigger or by multiple trigger mechanisms.
Other variations of the motion greeting cards may include the addition of
lights and additional pre-recorded digital audio files or additional mobile objects.
I I112/13,op2363 speci,12
It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the mi that numerous variations
and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments
without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The
present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not
restrictive. Other features and aspects of this invention will be appreciated by those skilled
in the art upon reading and comprehending this disclosure. Such features, aspects, and
expected variations and modifications of the examples are clearly within the scope ofthe
invention where the invention is limited solely by the scope of the following claims.
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 understood 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 suggestion that the prior art forms part of the
common general knowledge in Australia.
11l12/13,op2363 speci,13
Claims (6)
1. A motorized gift accessory comprising: a gift bow; 5 a motor module operative to cause movement to the gift bow; an attachment arm which comlects the gift bow to the motor module in a perpendicular manner; a base structure comprising a substantially planar top surface, a substantially planar bottom surface opposite the top surface, a perimeter surface which extend 10 between all perimeter edges of the top surface and all perimeter edges of the bottom surface, and a cavity therein for storage of the motor module; a push button switch which is separate from the gift bow and which extends outward from the base structure, which causes activation of the motor module; wherein the gift bow extends upward from and perpendicular to the base 15 structure.
2. The motorized gift accessory of claim 1 further comprising a sound module operative to store and playback at least one audio file. 20
3. The motorized gift accessory of claim 1 or 2, wherein the attachment arm is connected to the gift bow through an opening in a top surface of the base structure.
4. The motorized gift accessory of any preceding claim, wherein the base structure contains a backing layer on a bottom surface thereof which can be removed 25 to expose an adhesive surface.
5. The motorized gift accessory of anyone of claims 1 to 3, wherein the base structure contains a planar sheet on a top surface thereon and a bottom surface thereof
6. The motorized gift accessory of any preceding claim, wherein the push of the base structure. button switch is located outside
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US13/828,200 US9044990B2 (en) | 2010-11-05 | 2013-03-14 | Motorized gift package accessory |
| US13/828200 | 2013-03-14 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| NZ622426A NZ622426A (en) | 2015-06-26 |
| NZ622426B true NZ622426B (en) | 2015-09-29 |
Family
ID=
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