Battery charger amusement device

Abstract

A battery charger amusement has a receptacle adapted to receive a rechargeable battery, an electronic circuit monitoring battery charge status, and a mechanical movement signal activated upon charge status attainment. The battery charger can include a motion actuator so as to move during the battery recharge process. The device is intended to encourage the use of rechargeable batteries over a disposable counterpart.

1. A battery charger amusement device comprising:
 a housing configured in a form selected from the group consisting of: humanoid, animate, vehicular and natural; 
 a dynamo powering a battery charger in electrical communication with a rechargeable battery, the battery having a charge status; and 
 a source of information communicated to a user and selected from the group consisting of: sound, light, movement or a combination thereof for entertaining the user of the device, the information being independent of battery charge status. 
 
     
     
       2. The device of  claim 1  wherein the housing has a movable portion. 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 1  wherein the information is of a type selected from the group consisting of language, text, music, light, movement and video. 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 1  wherein the source of information is light and light is generated by a light emitting diode. 
     
     
       5. The device of  claim 1  wherein the device comprises a video display. 
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 5  wherein said housing has the humanoid form or the animate form of a figurine. 
     
     
       7. The device of  claim 5  wherein said housing has the humanoid form or the animate form of a jack-in-the-box. 
     
     
       8. The device of  claim 1  further comprising an activator switch for the source of information. 
     
     
       9. A battery charger amusement device comprising:
 an electrically moved housing having the appearance of a vehicle;   a dynamo powering a battery charger in electrical communication with a rechargeable battery.   
     
     
       10. A battery charger amusement device comprising:
 an electrically moved housing having the appearance of an animal;   a dynamo powering a battery charger in electrical communication with a rechargeable battery.   
     
     
       11. A battery charger amusement device comprising:
 an electrically moved housing having the appearance of a person;   a dynamo powering a battery charger in electrical communication with a rechargeable battery.   
     
     
       12. A battery charger amusement device comprising:
 an electrically moved housing having the appearance of a robot:   a dynamo powering a battery charger in electrical communication with a rechargeable battery.   
     
     
       13. A battery charger amusement device comprising:
 an electrically moved housing having the appearance of an animated character;   a dynamo powering a battery charger in electrical communication with a rechargeable battery.   
     
     
       14. A battery charger amusement device comprising:
 a battery charger having a rechargeable battery, the battery having a charge status;   an electronic circuit monitoring charge status;   a dynamo powering said battery charger;   a mechanical movement signal activated upon the battery attaining a preselected charge status as measured by said electronic circuit.   
     
     
       15. The battery charger amusement device of claim 14 further comprising said electronic circuit communicating information to a user independent of charge status prior to the battery attaining the preselected charge status. 
     
     
       16. The device of claim 14 wherein the information is of a type selected from the group consisting of language, text, music, light, movement and video. 
     
     
       17. The device of claim 14 further comprising a housing. 
     
     
       18. The device of claim 14 wherein said mechanical movement signal is selected from a group consisting of: release of a spring, activation of an electric drive motor to create a mechanical movement, deactivation of said electrical motor, and movement of a liquid or powder. 
     
     
       19. The device of claim 17 wherein said housing is configured in a form selected from the group consisting of humanoid, animate, vehicular and natural.