Self-propelled amusement device

Abstract

A self-propelled amusement device comprising: a housing, a power means securely mounted within the housing, a shaft extending from the power means, the shaft rotated by the power means, a counter-balanced weight removably attached to a distal edge of the shaft, the counter-balanced weight functioning to move the self-propelled amusement device in an erratic manner, and at least one leg member removably attached to the housing, the leg members extending downwardly from the housing. The device may include at least one foot member is removably attached to a distal edge of each leg member, the foot members functioning to come in contact with a surface, and to facilitate movement of the device along the surface. In an alternative embodiment, the device may include a cover means removably attached to the device, the cover means functioning to shield the device and to provide aesthetically pleasing design elements thereon.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A self-propelled amusement device comprising: 
 A) a housing;    B) a power means securely mounted within the housing, the power means comprising a wind up mechanism and gear box;    C) a shaft extending from the power means, the shaft rotated by the power means;    D) a counter-balanced weight removably attached to a distal edge of the shaft, the counter balanced iweight functioning to move the self-propelled amusement device in an erratic manner;    E) at least four leg members removably attached to the housing, the leg members extending downwardly from the housing; and    F) at least one foot member removably attached to a distal edge of each leg member, the foot members functioning to come in contact with a surface, and further functioning to facilitate movement of the self-propelled amusement device along said surface.    
     
     
         2 . The self-propelled amusement device as described in    claim 1   , wherein a cover means is removably attached to the self-propelled amusement device, the cover means functioning to shield the device and further functioning to provide aesthetically pleasing design elements thereon.  
     
     
         3 . The self-propelled amusement device as described in    claim 1   , wherein the power means is exposed, functioning to allow a user to view the wind up mechanism and gear box.  
     
     
         4 . The self-propelled amusement device as described in    claim 1   , wherein the device includes indicia thereon.  
     
     
         5 . The self-propelled amusement device as described in    claim 1   , wherein the device comprises a wind-up key, which functions to engage the power means, the wind-up key bearing a previously determined color.  
     
     
         6 . The self-propelled amusement device as described in    claim 1   , wherein the counterbalanced weight bears a previously determined color.  
     
     
         7 . The self-propelled amusement device as described in    claim 1   , wherein the rubber foot members bear a previously determined color.  
     
     
         8 . The self-propelled amusement device as described in    claim 1   , wherein each leg of the device is of a reduced length, functioning to provide a self-propelled device substantially short in height.  
     
     
         9 . The self-propelled amusement device as described in    claim 1   , wherein the device further comprises at least one memo holding extended member, which functions to hold a previously-determined item for display purposes.  
     
     
         10 . The self-propelled amusement device as described in    claim 9   , wherein the at least one memo holding extended member is comprised of two memo holding members extending upwardly from the housing, each with a memo grasping mechanism located upon the distal end thereof.  
     
     
         11 . The self-propelled amusement device as described in    claim 9   , wherein the at least one memo holding extended member functions to hold and display an item selected from the group consisting of a photograph, greeting card, business card, note, and envelope.  
     
     
         12 . The self-propelled amusement device as described in    claim 1   , wherein the device comprises a total of eight extended leg members.  
     
     
         13 . The self-propelled amusement device as described in    claim 1   , wherein the device further comprises a plurality of additional leg members extending horizontally and outwardly from the housing, the additional leg members functioning to allow the device to tip over forwardly, backwardly, to a left side, and to a right side, while continuing movement along an erratic path.  
     
     
         14 . The self-propelled amusement device as described in    claim 1   , wherein the additional leg members are comprised of a pair of forwardly extending legs and a pair of rearwardly extending legs.  
     
     
         15 . The self-propelled amusement device as described in    claim 1   , wherein the power means is positioned in a generally sideways configuration, with the gear box oriented at a ninety degree angle from the horizontal.  
     
     
         16 . The self-propelled amusement device as described in    claim 1   , wherein each of the legs is bent at a previously determined angle and previously determined location, functioning to create an insect-like appearance.  
     
     
         17 . The self-propelled amusement device as described in    claim 16   , wherein each of the legs extends upwardly and outwardly from the housing at a previously determined angle, with each of the legs then bent downwardly such that distal ends and foot members thereof contact the flat surface upon which the device is placed.  
     
     
         18 . The self-propelled amusement device as described in    claim 1   , wherein the device further comprises an illumination means.  
     
     
         19 . The self-propelled amusement device as described in    claim 1   , wherein the device further comprises an audio means.  
     
     
         20 . The self-propelled amusement device as described in    claim 1   , wherein each leg member is substantially semi-rigid in nature, functioning to facilitate movement of the device in an erratic pattern across a flat surface.