Patent Application
20070160965
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of amusement devices and, more particularly, to a device for rewarding a child for good behavior.
2. Background
Motivating a child to exhibit good behavior is a challenge faced by every parent. Parents often resort to punishment for bad behavior as a means for motivating good behavior. However, child development specialists generally agree that negative rewards for bad behavior are not as effective as positive rewards for good behavior.
The present invention provides a means for motivating a child to exhibit good behavior and to reward the child for consistent good behavior.
In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention comprises a motivational apparatus having a supply of tokens. The apparatus includes a release mechanism for releasing one of the tokens, which may be actuated by a child as a reward for good behavior. After being released, the token is collected in a reservoir. The apparatus may include a token routing path with a variety of obstacles and the like for the amusement of the child. Once a predetermined number of tokens have been collected in the reservoir, the child may be awarded a prize. The prize may be dispensed by the apparatus in response to the collection of the predetermined number of tokens.
The features, aspects, and advantages of the invention will become more thoroughly apparent from the following detailed description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings in which:
In the following description, for purposes of explanation and not limitation, specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced in other embodiments that depart from these specific details. In other instances, detailed descriptions of well-known methods and devices are omitted so as to not obscure the description of the present invention with unnecessary detail.
Tokens 14 are stored on ramp 16. A release mechanism 18 releases the tokens one at a time when pressed. After being released, the token follows a delivery path to one or more collection reservoirs. The delivery path may include a variety of obstacles and/or interactive routing mechanisms such as are commonly found in pachinko or pinball machines so that the path followed by the released tokens varies from time to time. For example, the routing path may include pegs or pins to deflect the travel of the token, pivoting levers operated by the child, spring-loaded bumpers, etc. The routing path may also include lights and sound effects that are triggered by the passing token.
Returning to the illustrative example in
In the case of multiple token reservoirs, each of the reservoirs preferably includes indicia to associate the reservoir with a particular child in the household. Such indicia may comprise the child's name, a color, a graphic symbol or illustration. Each of the reservoirs also preferably includes indicia to indicate the number of tokens that have been collected.
Whenever a child exhibits good behavior deserving recognition, the parent or other caregiver may invite the child to release one of the tokens (with the appropriate setting of routing mechanism 36). Conversely, certain bad behavior may be penalized by removing one of more of the tokens that have been collected. Once a reservoir has been filled, the child may be rewarded with a prize. The reward may be given independent of the apparatus previously described, such as by presenting the child with a toy, book, monetary reward or other desired item or activity. However, the apparatus of the present invention may also incorporate a reward delivery system.
The tokens that have been collected in a reservoir are deposited into a receptacle 52. Deposit of the tokens causes one of a plurality of prizes 54 to be released. Each of the prizes 54 may comprise a hollow sphere containing either a physical prize or a note describing the prize to be received. The sphere may be either opaque or transparent. The release mechanism for prize 54 may be triggered by the weight of the tokens deposited in receptacle 52. Alternatively, other suitable means for sensing deposit of a required number of tokens may be employed.
When prize 54 is released, it travels along a prize delivery path 56 and is eventually deposited at opening 58 where it may be retrieved by the child. The prize delivery path 56 may include a variety of obstacles and interactive transport mechanisms as have been previously described in connection with the token delivery system. After the prize has been delivered, the tokens deposited in receptacle 52 may be returned to the supply for the token delivery system.
It will be recognized that the above-described invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of the disclosure. Thus, it is understood that the invention is not to be limited by the foregoing illustrative details, but rather is to be defined by the appended claims.
