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. 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. 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.

1 . A toy bank for the collection of money coins deposited therein, comprising: 
 (a) a body in the shape of an animal, doll, or character;    (b) a slot opening within the surface of the body for receiving insertion of a coin;    (c) a chamber located within the body for collecting coins inserted into the slot opening;    (d) a tube located within the body and connected at its first end to the slot opening and at its second end to the chamber, the tube transporting a coin inserted into the slot to the chamber; and    (e) a sound module interposed within the body between the slot opening and the chamber, and having means operatively connected thereto for causing the sound module to play a prerecorded sound bite correlated to the animal, doll, or character persona when mechanically activated by the coin passing from the slot opening to the chamber.    
   
   
       2 . The toy bank according to  claim 1 , wherein the animal is a pig.  
   
   
       3 . The toy bank according to  claim 1 , wherein the animal is a cow.  
   
   
       4 . The toy bank according to  claim 1 , wherein the animal is a dog.  
   
   
       5 . The toy bank according to  claim 1 , wherein the animal is a bear.  
   
   
       6 . The toy bank according to  claim 1 , wherein the animal is a elephant.  
   
   
       7 . The toy bank according to  claim 1 , wherein the animal is a monkey.  
   
   
       8 . The toy bank according to  claim 1 , wherein the body constitutes a hard surface.  
   
   
       9 . The toy bank according to  claim 1 , wherein the body constitutes a soft or plush surface.  
   
   
       10 . The toy bank according to  claim 1 , wherein the chamber is made from a transparent or semi-transparent material and is visible from the exterior of the animal, doll, or character.  
   
   
       11 . The toy bank according to  claim 10 , wherein the chamber extends beyond the surface of the body.  
   
   
       12 . The toy bank according to  claim 1 , wherein the sound bite is an animal noise.  
   
   
       13 . The toy bank according to  claim 1 , wherein the sound bite is a song or melody.  
   
   
       14 . The toy bank according to  claim 1 , wherein the sound bite is a word phrase or speech.