Animated bubble toy customizable and activated by the attachment of an accessory

Abstract

An illuminating animation device secured within the housing of a bubble producing toy. Animation is created by the illumination of LEDs, which are secured within chambers of the device and project through a mouthpiece, which simulates talking. A printed circuit board is secured within the device and is electrically connected to a printed circuit board assembly that is secured within the housing. One mode of activating the device is via the connection of an unlimited number of hats to the housing. The hats include a unique sound chip with a USB-C plug that plugs into a USB-C port on the housing. When the hat is plugged into the housing, the toy detects the presence of the hat and sends a data signal to the hat sound module, which triggers music playback through a speaker in the toy and a unique light and bubble effect.

1 . An animated toy comprising:
 a housing comprising a printed circuit board that is electrically connected to a speaker and an illuminating animation device, wherein the device comprises:
 an enclosure comprising a base and a mouthpiece secured together via a wall, thereby forming a compartment; 
 a divider secured within the mouthpiece, which divides the mouthpiece into a first and second chamber; and 
 a printed circuit board secured to the base and comprising a first and second LED, wherein the first LED is secured within the first chamber and the second LED is secured within the second chamber. 
   
     
     
         2 . The animated toy of  claim 1 , wherein the mouthpiece is u-shaped, and the divider is curved to correspond with the u-shape of the mouth so that an upper portion of the mouth is illuminated by the first LED and a lower portion of the mouth is illuminated by the second LED. 
     
     
         3 . The animated toy of  claim 1 , wherein the illumination of the second LED is sound activated in synchronization with sound played through the speaker. 
     
     
         4 . The animated toy of  claim 1 , wherein the housing further comprises a microphone electrically connected to the printed circuit board, wherein the illumination of the second LED is sound activated with ambient sound detected by the microphone. 
     
     
         5 . The animated toy of  claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a sound chip, wherein the second LED is illuminated concurrently with a sound when it is played. 
     
     
         6 . The animated toy of  claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a push button electrically connected to the printed circuit board, wherein the push button activates the illumination of the second LED in conjunction with the playback of a sound through the speaker. 
     
     
         7 . An animated toy comprising:
 a housing comprising an outer wall defining an interior volume, wherein the outer wall includes a depression containing a USB-C port and the volume contains a printed circuit board assembly electrically connected to a speaker and an illuminating animation device, wherein the device comprises:
 an enclosure comprising a base and a mouthpiece secured together via a wall, thereby forming a compartment; 
 a divider secured within the mouthpiece, which divides the compartment into a first and second chamber; and 
 a printed circuit board secured to the base and comprising a first and second LED, wherein the first LED is secured within the first chamber and the second LED is secured within the second chamber; and 
   at least one hat comprising at least one sound chip with a USB-C plug, which plugs into the USB-C port thereby triggering playback of a first sound through the speaker, wherein illumination of the second LED is activated concurrently with the first sound.   
     
     
         8 . The animated toy of  claim 7 , further comprising at least one additional LED electrically connected to the printed circuit board assembly within the housing. 
     
     
         9 . The animated toy of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one additional LED is triggered when the hat is plugged into the toy. 
     
     
         10 . The animated toy of  claim 7 , wherein the mouthpiece is u-shaped, and the divider is curved to correspond with the u-shape of the mouth so that an upper portion of the mouth is illuminated by the first LED and a lower portion of the mouth is illuminated by the second LED. 
     
     
         11 . The animated toy of  claim 7 , further comprising a second hat comprising a second sound chip with a second USB-C plug, which plugs into the USB-C port thereby triggering playback of a second sound through the speaker, wherein illumination of the second LED is activated concurrently with the second sound. 
     
     
         12 . The animated toy of  claim 7 , wherein the housing further comprises a microphone electrically connected to the printed circuit board assembly, wherein the illumination of the second LED is voice activated in synchronization with ambient sound when detected by the microphone. 
     
     
         13 . The animated toy of  claim 7 , wherein the housing includes a push button, which triggers playback of the first sound while the first hat is connected to the housing. 
     
     
         14 . An animated bubble toy comprising:
 a shaft containing a speaker;   a housing comprising an outer wall defining an interior volume, wherein the outer wall includes a depression containing a USB-C port and the volume contains a printed circuit board assembly electrically connected to a speaker and an illuminating animation device, wherein the device comprises:
 an enclosure comprising a base and a mouthpiece secured together via a wall, thereby forming a compartment; 
 a divider secured within the mouthpiece, which divides the compartment into a first and second chamber; and 
 a printed circuit board secured to the base and comprising a first and second LED, wherein the first LED is secured within the first chamber and the second LED is secured within the second chamber, wherein the mouthpiece is u-shaped, and the divider is curved to correspond with the u-shape of the mouth so that an upper portion of the mouth is illuminated by the first LED and a lower portion of the mouth is illuminated by the second LED; and 
   at least one hat comprising at least one sound chip with a USB-C plug, which plugs into the USB-C port thereby triggering playback of a first sound through the speaker, wherein illumination of the second LED is activated concurrently with the first sound.   
     
     
         15 . The animated bubble toy of  claim 14 , wherein the housing further comprises a microphone electrically connected to the printed circuit board assembly, wherein the illumination of the second LED is voice activated in synchronization with ambient sound when detected by the microphone. 
     
     
         16 . The animated bubble toy of  claim 14 , wherein the housing includes a push button, which triggers playback of the first sound while the first hat is connected to the housing. 
     
     
         17 . The animated bubble toy of  claim 14 , further comprising a second hat comprising a second sound chip with a second USB-C plug, which plugs into the USB-C port thereby triggering playback of a second sound through the speaker, wherein illumination of the second LED is activated concurrently with the second sound. 
     
     
         18 . The animated bubble toy of  claim 14 , further comprising at least one additional LED electrically connected to the printed circuit board assembly within the housing. 
     
     
         19 . The animated bubble toy of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one LED is triggered when the hat is plugged into the toy. 
     
     
         20 . The animated bubble toy of  claim 14 , wherein the housing further contains a bubble engine that automatically produces bubbles when the first hat is connected to the housing.