Stuffed animal coin bank

Abstract

A “plush toy” coin bank in the shape of a stuffed animal, doll, or other figure is provided. The toy has a seated, forward-facing configuration so that a child can see the toy's face when he or she faces the toy and inserts coins. A coin slot is located in the front of the toy, e.g., at the top of the toy's tummy or in its chest. One or more LEDs and speakers and coin-actuated means for generating one or more lights and/or sound(s) are hidden inside the toy, the LED(s) being preferably located just beneath the toy's coat. When a coin is inserted in the coin slot, the LED(s) and speaker(s) are activated for a short period of time, and thereby encourage the child to continue inserting coins into the toy.

1 . A stuffed animal coin bank, comprising:
 a soft toy in the shape of an animal, having a coat filled with stuffing and a seated, forward-facing pose;   a coin receptacle inside the toy;   a coin slot in the front of the toy, in communication with the coin receptacle;   a coin sensor adapted to detect a coin when the coin is inserted into the coin slot; and   one or more LEDs coupled to the coin sensor.   
     
     
         2 . The stuffed animal coin bank of  claim 1 , wherein the animal has a tummy and the coin slot is located above the animal's tummy. 
     
     
         3 . The stuffed animal coin bank of  claim 1 , wherein the animal has a chest and the coin slot is located in the animal's chest. 
     
     
         4 . The stuffed animal coin bank of  claim 1 , wherein the animal has a face and at least one of the one or more LEDs is hidden in the animal's face beneath the coat, with light from the hidden LEDs being visible from outside the animal when the toy is activated. 
     
     
         5 . The stuffed animal coin bank of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more speakers, coupled to the coin sensor. 
     
     
         6 . The stuffed animal coin bank of  claim 5 , wherein the speaker(s) are hidden inside the animal. 
     
     
         7 . The stuffed animal coin bank of  claim 1 , further comprising a controller, coupled to the coin sensor. 
     
     
         8 . The stuffed animal coin bank of  claim 7 , further comprising further comprising at least one battery coupled to the controller. 
     
     
         9 . A stuffed animal coin bank, comprising:
 a soft toy in the shape of an animal, having a face, a coat filled with stuffing, and a seated, forward-facing pose;   a coin receptacle inside the toy;   a coin slot in the front of the toy, in communication with the coin receptacle;   a coin sensor adapted to detect a coin when the coin is inserted into the coin slot;   a controller coupled to the coin sensor;   first and second LEDs coupled to the controller, hidden in the animal's face beneath the coat; and   at least one speaker coupled to the controller, hidden inside the animal.   
     
     
         10 . The stuffed animal coin bank of  claim 9 , further comprising further comprising at least one battery coupled to the controller. 
     
     
         11 . A plush toy coin bank, comprising:
 a soft toy in the shape of a doll or other figure, having a face, a coat filled with stuffing, and a seated, forward-facing pose;   a coin receptacle inside the toy;   a coin slot in the front of the toy, in communication with the coin receptacle;   a coin sensor adapted to detect a coin when the coin is inserted into the coin slot; and   one or more LEDs coupled to the coin sensor, hidden beneath the coat.   
     
     
         12 . The plush toy coin bank of  claim 11 , further comprising one or more speakers, coupled to the coin sensor. 
     
     
         13 . The plush toy coin bank of  claim 12 , wherein the speaker(s) are hidden inside the toy. 
     
     
         14 . The plush toy coin bank of  claim 11 , further comprising a controller, coupled to the coin sensor. 
     
     
         15 . The plush toy coin bank of  claim 14 , further comprising further comprising at least one battery coupled to the controller. 
     
     
         16 . A stuffed animal coin bank, comprising:
 a soft toy in the shape of an animal, having a coat filled with stuffing and a seated, forward-facing pose;   a coin receptacle inside the toy;   a coin slot in the front of the toy, in communication with the coin receptacle;   a coin sensor adapted to detect a coin when the coin is inserted into the coin slot; and   one or more speakers coupled to the coin sensor, hidden beneath the coat.   
     
     
         17 . The stuffed animal coin bank of  claim 16 , wherein the animal has a face and the bank further comprises one or more LEDs hidden in the animal's face beneath the coat, with light from the hidden LEDs being visible from outside the animal when the toy is activated.