Animal or character coin bank

Abstract

A toy bank in the shape of an animal, doll, or character with an accompanying sound that correlates to the animal, doll, or character when a coin is deposited into the bank is provided according to the invention. The sound is provided by an integrated circuit inside a sound module contained inside the bank that transmits the prerecorded sound bite to a speaker. The sound module is automatically activated when the falling coin applies force against an associated prong that extends partially into the coin slot. Moreover, a clear, transparent collection chamber in the animal or character can allow the child to see the money grow in the bank. A coin counter installed inside the bank for determining the denomination of each inserted coin and showing the cumulative total of the deposited coins on an associated display panel provides further encouragement to the child to continue to deposit coins into the bank. Such a sound, visual accumulation of coins, and coin counter display provide a viscerally fun response to the depositing of coins into the bank, thereby further encouraging the child to save his or her money. By adapting the toy bank to a school mascot or popular entertainment or newsworthy figure with a sound bite to match, the toy bank could appeal to teenagers and adults too.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 11 / 168,275 filed on Jun. 28, 2005, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention relates generally to the saving of money, and more specifically to a coin bank in the shape of an animal or character containing a receptacle for receiving deposited coins which activate a pre-recorded sound bite correlated with the animal or character when inserted into the bank to encourage the saving of money, entertain, or appeal to nostalgia. The bank can also display a cumulative tally of the coins deposited therein.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Saving money is contrary to human impulsiveness. It is much easier to spend money to buy products that a person desires, because this appeals to instant gratification—a powerful and often-times irresistible human trait. This can particularly be true for children.[0004]Therefore, it is known within...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013]A toy bank in the shape of an animal, doll, or character with an accompanying sound that correlates to the animal, doll, or character when a coin is deposited into the bank is provided according to the invention. The sound is provided by an integrated circuit inside a sound module contained inside the bank that transmits the prerecorded sound bite to a speaker. The sound module is automatically activated when the falling coin applies force against an associated prong that extends partially into the coin slot. Such a sound provides a viscerally fun response to the depositing of coins into the bank, thereby further encouraging the child to save his or her money. Moreover, a clear, transparent collection chamber in the animal or character could allow the child to see the money grow in the bank. A coin counter installed inside the bank for determining the denomination of each inserted coin and showing the cumulative total of the deposited coins on an associated display panel provides further encouragement to the child to continue to deposit coins into the bank to save money. Furthermore, by adapting the toy bank to a school mascot or popular entertainment or newsworthy figure with a sound bite to match, the toy bank could appeal to teenagers and adults too.

Problems solved by technology

Done over a prolonged period of time, such occasional coin deposits can grow to a substantial sum of money.

Nevertheless, for many children, animal banks with hard surfaces may be insufficiently appealing to generate a desire to save.

Such animal banks may become quickly forgotten, gathering dust on the back of a dresser or closet shelf.

Yet, such sounds are relatively simplistic, and unlikely to appeal to a contemporary child accustomed to the visceral response of video games.

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