Charging system for easily recharging batteries for toys

Abstract

An on-board battery recharger is provided for use on a toy-riding vehicle that automatically connects and disconnects the recharger to the battery of the vehicle. A power cord is also provided to connect power from a power source to the on-board recharger via a receptacle. When charging power is supplied to the toy vehicle, an electric switching means connects the battery to the recharger and disconnects the battery from drive motors that propel the toy vehicle. Likewise, when the charging power is removed from connection with the toy vehicle, the electric switching means disconnects the battery from the recharger and reconnects the battery to the drive motors for continued operation of the toy.

I/We claim:  
     
         1 . An electrically operated toy, comprising: 
 a toy frame member;    an electrically powered output device operatively attached to the frame member;    electrical power storing means for use in selectively providing electrical power to actuate the electrically powered output device, the electrical power storing means being operatively attached to the toy frame member;    an electrical recharger operable to receive electrical power from an associated power source and to deliver recharging power to the electrical power storing means, wherein the electrical recharger is operatively mounted on board the toy; and,    electric switching means selectively operable to electrically communicate the electrical power storing means with one of either of the electrically powered output device and the electrical recharger.    
     
     
         2 . The electrically operated toy of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical recharger is not communicated to the electrically powered output device.  
     
     
         3 . The electrically operated toy of  claim 1 , wherein the electric switching means automatically engages to communicate the electrical recharger to the electrical power storing means when the electrical power storing means receives electrical charging power from the associated power source.  
     
     
         4 . The electrically operated toy of  claim 3 , wherein the electric switching means disconnects the electrical recharger from communication with the electrical power storing means when the electrical recharger does not receive electrical charging power.  
     
     
         5 . The electrically operated toy of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 at least a first ground engaging wheel, wherein the at least a first ground engaging wheel is operatively connected to the electrically powered output device.    
     
     
         6 . The electrically operated toy of  claim 5 , further comprising: 
 a seat member operatively attached to the toy frame for use in supporting an associated child operator.    
     
     
         7 . The electrically operated toy of  claim 1 , wherein the electrically powered output device is an electromotive actuator.  
     
     
         8 . The electrically operated toy of  claim 7 , wherein the electromotive actuator is an electric motor.  
     
     
         9 . The electrically operated toy of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical power storing means is a rechargeable battery.  
     
     
         10 . The electrically operated toy of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical power storing means is substantially a 12 DC Volt rechargeable battery.  
     
     
         11 . The electrically operated toy of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a uni-directional electrical device operatively communicated between the electrical power storing means and the electrical recharger for use in allowing charging power to flow in a single direction.    
     
     
         12 . The electrically operated toy of  claim 11 , wherein the uni-directional electrical device comprises a diode.  
     
     
         13 . The electrically operated toy of  claim 1 , wherein the electric switch is a power sensing circuit operably connected to sense the electrical power communicated from the associated power source to the electrical recharger, and, 
 wherein the power sensing circuit automatically electrically disconnects the electrical power storing means from the electrically powered output device and connects the electrical power storing means to the electrical recharger when the power sensing circuit senses the electrical power.    
     
     
         14 . The electrically operated toy of  claim 13 , wherein the power sensing circuit includes a relay.  
     
     
         15 . A battery operated riding toy vehicle, comprising: 
 a toy frame;    at least a first ground-engaging wheel rotatably attached with respect to the toy frame;    a seat portion operatively attached to the toy frame;    an electric motor operably connected to the at least a first ground engaging wheel, the electric motor being operatively attached to the toy frame;    a rechargeable battery selectively operatively communicated to the electric motor, the battery being operatively attached to the toy frame; and,    a battery charger operatively communicated to selectively deliver charging power to the rechargeable battery, the battery charger operable to receive electric charging power from an associated power source, the battery charger being operatively mounted to the toy frame, wherein the battery charger is not operably communicated to the electric motor;    an electric switch selectively operable to electrically communicate the electrical power storing means with one of either of the electrical actuator and the electrical recharger, wherein the electric switch automatically engages to electrically communicate the battery charger to the rechargeable battery when the battery charger receives electrical charging power from the associated power source.    
     
     
         16 . The battery operated riding toy vehicle of  claim 15 , further comprising: 
 an accelerator member operatively communicated between the rechargeable battery and the electric motor for use in selectively communicating electrical power from the rechargeable battery to the electric motor.    
     
     
         17 . A method of recharging the battery of a battery operated child's toy, the steps comprising: 
 providing a child's toy including: 
 a toy frame member;  
 an electrically powered output device operatively attached to the frame member;  
 a battery for use in selectively providing electrical power to actuate the electrically powered output device, the battery being operatively attached to the toy frame member;  
 an electrical recharger operable to receive electrical power from an associated power source and to deliver recharging power to the battery, wherein the electrical recharger is operatively mounted on board the toy;  
 an electrical switch automatically selectively operable to electrically communicate the battery with one of either of the electrically powered output device and the electrical recharger; and,  
 a power cord for use in communicating electrical power from the associated power source to the electrical recharger;  
   connecting the power cord to supply electrical power to the electrical recharger;    automatically electrically communicating the electrical charger to the battery; and,    automatically recharging the battery.    
     
     
         18 . A method of recharging the battery of  claim 17 , wherein before the step of automatically electrically communicating the electrical charger to the battery, further comprising the step of: 
 automatically disconnecting the battery from the electrically powered output device.