Background Art A saving box is widely used for saving coins as one of a life-related item.

Generally, a conventional saving box is formed of a sealed box having a slit through which a coin is inserted into the saving box. When inserted coins have a certain amount, the saving box is opened.

However, since the conventional saving box is formed of a simple box for storing coins therein, there is not any effect for guiding the children to save money. In order to overcome the above problems, a saving box having a limited recreation function (for example, an audio generation function, etc.) is commercially available for thereby inducing children to save money. However, since the above conventional saving box has a very limited recreation function, it is impossible to effectively induce children to save money.

Disclosure of Invention Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a saving box having a recreation function that overcomes the problems encountered in the

conventional art.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a saving box having a recreation function, which is capable of providing a user with a saving mind by providing a recreation function when a coin is inserted.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a saving box having a recreation function, which may be used for saving money and playing a recreational game.

In the present invention, the coin is saved by a throwing-in method. In the case that the coin is inserted according to a certain set rule, the coins that are inserted contrary to the set rule and gathered therein are discharged once for all.

The saving box according to the present invention includes a body, a shutter and a shutter operation mechanism. A coin insertion port is formed in the upper portion of the body. A coin outlet is formed in the lower portion of the body for discharging the coins. The shutter openablely closes the coin outlet.

The shutter operation mechanism opens the coin outlet only when the coin is inserted according to the set rule for thereby discharging the coins gathered in the body and closes the coin outlet when the coins are all discharged.

In the present invention, the set rule is a rule to decide whether the inserted coin is gathered in the body or discharged once for all together with coins gathered in the body. The set rule may be fixed in various manners.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the body is divided into a success section and a failed section. What the coin is inserted according to the set rule means that the coin is inserted into the success section.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the body includes a

bingo section based on a known bingo game rule. What the coin is inserted according to the set rule means that the coins are inserted into the bingo section with a bingo state.

In still another embodiment of the present invention, the body includes a slot machine. What the coin is inserted according to the set rule means that the images of the slot machine operated by the coin are matched to a winning rule of the slot machine.

Preferably, the saving box according to the present invention further includes a coin gathering-portion engaged to the coin outlet for thereby receiving the coins discharged through the coin outlet.

The saving box according to the present invention may be installed on the wall of the indoor in a vertical direction. A user throws a coin into the box at a distance from it for thereby saving the moneys. At this the, if the coin is not inserted according to the set rule, the inserted coin is gathered in the body without any event. If the coin is inserted according to the set rule, the shutter operation mechanism operates for thereby opening the shutter and discharging the coins once for all.

Preferably, in the saving box according to the present invention, the event in which the coins are discharged through the coin outlet may be concurrently performed together with another event, for example, an on-and-off light, a sound generation, and an operation doll.

Brief Description of Drawings The present invention will become better understood with reference to the

accompanying drawings which are given only by way of illustration and thus are not limitative of the present invention, wherein ; Figure 1 is a schematic view illustrating an outer appearance of a saving box according to an embodiment of the present invention ; Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a saving box of Figure 1 ; Figure 3 is a schematic view illustrating a shutter operation mechanism adapted to Figure 1 ; Figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating a shutter operation mechanism adapted to Figure 1 ; Figure 5 is a schematic view illustrating an operation procedure of the saving box of Figure 1; Figure 6 is a schematic view illustrating an outer appearance of a saving box according to another embodiment of the present invention ; Figure 7 is a block diagram illustrating a shutter operation mechanism adapted to Figure 6 ; Figure 8 is a schematic view illustrating an operation procedure of the saving box of Figure 6 ; Figure 9 is a schematic view illustrating an outer appearance of a saving box according to still another embodiment of the present invention ; Figure 10 is a block diagram illustrating a shutter operation mechanism adapted to Figure 9; and Figure 11 is a schematic view illustrating an operation procedure of the saving box of Figure 9.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention As shown in Figures 1,6 and 9, a saving box 1 according to the present invention includes a body 10, a shutter 20, and a shutter operation mechanism 30.

The body 10 is a certain shaped box in which the elements of the saving box 1 such as the shutter 20, the shutter operation mechanism 30, etc. are installed. Preferably, the outer appearance of the body 10 is the shape to foster children's interest.

A coin insertion port 11 is formed in an upper portion of the body 10, and the coin is inserted into the saving box through it. Preferably, the coin insertion port 11 has a certain size, so that a user successfully and more easily throws a coin into the coin insertion port 11 at a high success ratio even at a distanced position.

A coin outlet 12 is formed in a lower portion of the body 10 and has a certain size for thereby discharging the coins there through once for all.

The coin outlet 12 is closed by the shutter 20. Since the shutter 20 closes the. coin outlet 12 except for the case that the coin 2 is inserted according to a set rule, so the coins 2 inserted into the body 10 stay therein otherwise the shutter 20 is opened.

The shutter 20 is opened and closed by the shutter operation mechanism 30. Namely, if the coin 2 is inserted according to the set rule, the shutter operation mechanism 30 opens the shutter 20, so that the coins 2 gathered in the body 10 are discharged once for all. When the gathered coins are fully discharged,

the shutter operation mechanism 30 closes the shutter 20. Thereafter, the coins 2 are not discharged through the coin outlet 12.

First embodiment The saving box 1A will be explained with reference to Figures 1 through 5.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, in the saving box 1A, the body 10 is divided into a success section 13 and a failed section 14. What the coin 2 is inserted according to the set rule is that the coin 2 is inserted into the success section 13.

Namely, if the coin 2 is inserted into the failed section 14, the coin 2 is gathered in the body 10 without any event. But, if the coin 2 is inserted into the success section 13, all the coins are discharged from the body 10 together with the coins that are inserted into the failed section 14 and are gathered.

In order to relatively decrease the coin insertion success ratio in the success section 13, the area of the success section 13 may be smaller than that of the failed section 14. Since the success section 13 and the failed section 14 connect with the coin insertion port 11, all coins 2 inserted into the body 10 are inserted into either the success section 13 or the failed section 14.

There is not any limit for arranging the success section 13 and the failed section 14. As shown in the drawings, the success section 13 may be positioned in the center portion of the body 10, and the failed section 14 may be positioned around the success section 13. If the success section 13 and the failed section 14 are all formed in a conical shape in which the upper portion is wider and the lower portion is narrower, so that the inserted coins 2 may be naturally converged.

The success section 13 and the failed section 14 connect with the coin outlet 12, respectively. Therefore, all coins 2 inserted into the success section 13

and the failed section 14 may be discharged through the coin outlet 12.

As shown in Figure 1, the rear portion of the body 10 is formed at right angles for the reason that the dead spaces of the inner and outer spaces are properly used for installing the saving box 1A in a corner portion. In the case that the saving box 1A is installed on a wall surface, not corner portion, it is not needed to form the rear portion of the body 10 at right angles.

As shown in Figure 1, in the case that the saving box 1A is installed on the wall, the saving box 1A may be detachably installed by fixing a fixing member 3 at a certain height and detachably fixing the body 10 to the fixing member 3. In Figure 1, reference numeral 4 represents a hook for hooking to the body 10. In this case, a hook is formed on the back surface of the body 10 for being hooked with the hook 4.

The coin outlet 12 is closed by the openable shutter 20, and so the coins inserted in the body 10 are not dropped.

In the embodiment, the openable shutter 20 closes all the coin outlet 12 corresponding to the success section 13 and the failed section 14 and following sense 31 of the shutter operation mechanism 30 is positioned on the shutter 20.

Therefore, the coin inserted into the success section 13 is not dropped without opening of the shutter 20.

Alternatively, the openable shutter 20 may close only the coin outlet 12 corresponding to the failed section 14 and following sense 31 of the shutter operation mechanism 30 may be positioned in the side of the success section 13.

In this case, the coin outlet 12 corresponding to the success section 13 is open at any the.

The operation for opening and closing the shutter 20 is implemented by the shutter operation mechanism 30. Namely, when the coin 2 is inserted into the success section 13, the shutter operation mechanism 30 detects the insertion of the coin and operates the shutter 20 in order to open the coin outlet 12, so that the coins 2 are discharged to the outside of the body 10 through the coin outlet 12. After the coins 2 are all discharged (a certain term for discharging coins to the outside is passed), the shutter 20 is returned to its original position, and then the coin outlet 12 is closed for thereby preparing the next coin insertion.

As shown in Figures 2 through 5, the shutter operation mechanism 30 includes a sensor 31 for sensing the insertion of the coin 2, a gear 32 formed in the shutter 20, a driving force mechanism 33 (for example, motor) having a gear 34 engaged to the gear 32, and a control unit 35.

The control unit 35 is operated by a signal of the sensor 31. When a signal is received from the sensor 31, the driving force mechanism 33 is operated for opening the shutter 20 for a predetermined term and then closing the same.

In the embodiment, a contact point switch 31 is used as the sensor. The switch 31 is provided on the surface of the shutter 20. In a state that the shutter 20 is closed, the switch 31 is provided below the success section 13. When the coin is inserted into the success sectionl3, the contact point of the switch 31 is connected and the control unit 35 is operated.

The operations of the shutter 20 and the shutter operation mechanism 30 will be explained with reference to Figures 4 and 5.

In the case that the coin is not inserted into the success section 13, the shutter operation mechanism 30 is not operated, and the closed state of the coin

outlet 12 is maintained (Refer to A of Figure 5). When the coin is inserted into the success section 13, the switch 31 is connected (Refer to B of Figure 5) and the control unit 35 is operated. Then, the control unit 35 operates the motor 33 in the normal direction for a predetermined term (the term for discharging all coins from the body) for thereby opening the shutter 20, so that the coins gathered in the body 10 are downwardly discharged (Refer to C of Figure 5). After the time is passed, the control unit 35 rotates the motor 33 in the reverse direction for thereby closing the shutter 20 and preparing the next coin insertion (Refer to D of Figure 5).

The construction of the shutter operation mechanism 30 is not limited thereto and other constructions of the shutter operation mechanism 30 may be adapted for the same purpose. Namely, the shutter operation mechanism 30 may be adapted by combining various mechanical operation mechanisms and analog and/or digital devices. For example, the motor is used for opening the shutter 20, while an elastic structure using a spring engaged in the shutter 20 may be used for closing the shutter 20. A solenoid may be used instead of the motor 33, and other driving force transfer mechanisms except for the gear 32,34 may be used.

A light sensor (e. g. a photoelectric switch) may be used as the sensor 31 instead of the contact point switch. The above-described constructions of the shutter operation mechanism 30 may be easily embodied by a person skilled in the art.

Therefore, the detailed construction and operation are omitted for simplification.

The coins 2 from the body 10 may be stored in the coin-storing portion 40 connected with the coin outlet 12. Any construction having the purpose for receiving the coins 2 from the body by the opening operation of the shutter 20

may be adapted.

As shown in Figure 1, a longitudinally extended transparent pipe 41 connecting with the coin outlet 12 may be used as the coin-storing portion 40. At this time, the transparent pipe 41 may be implemented by connecting a plurality of transparent pipes using a screw and may be extended to the ground. If the transparent pipe 41 is used as the coin-storing portion 40, it is possible to visually see the coins failing from the body 10 for thereby enhancing an interest. The coins gathered in the coin-storing portion 40 may be discharged by disassembling the transparent pipe 41 or opening a cap 42.

The saving box 1A may include other events in addition to the coin -discharging event. For the above other events, an on-and-off light 50, a sound generator 60, an operation doll 70, etc. may be included. The operations of the on-and-off light 50, the sound generator 60 and the operation doll 70 are controlled by the control unit 35 of the shutter operation mechanism 30. Namely, the above elements are performed during the period in which the shutter 20 is opened and closed. For example, the on-and-off light 50 may blink, and the sound generator 60 may output a sound"Congratulation !" and the operation doll 70 may dance.

The operation doll 70 may be hidden within the body 10 in usual time. The operation doll 10 is emerged to the outside and performs a certain performance when the coin 2 is inserted into the success section 13.

As shown in Figure 3, the operation doll 70 will be described. As shown therein, the operation doll 70 may be installed in a remaining space of the body 10. The operation doll 70 includes a rod 71 which is connected with the shutter

20 and is integrally moved with the shutter 20, a doll 72 installed on the rod 71, an openable door 73 installed in the body 10 in a portion corresponding to the position of the doll 72, and a link 74 which is connected between the rod 71 and the door 73 by a hinge pin.

Therefore, when the coin 2 is inserted into the success section 13 and the shutter 20 is moved in the opening direction, the rod 71 is moved in the direction of the door 73. The link 74 is swiveled around. the hinge pin, and the door 73 is opened, and the doll 72 is emerged from the body 10 for thereby performing a certain performance. The construction related to the operation of the doll 72 may be implemented by the known arts that are adapted to the conventional playing doll.

When the shutter 20 is moved in the closing direction, the rod 71 is moved in the opposite direction of the door 73. The doll 72 is hidden into the body 10, and the link 74 is swiveled around the hinge pin, and the door 73 is closed.

An additional sensor (not shown) may be installed in the failed section 14 for detecting the insertion of the coin 2. If the coin is inserted into the failed section 14, a sound message"Sorry! Try again !" is output.

A light 80 may be additionally provided in the saving box 1A in order to provide lighting effects. The light 80 is turned on/off irrespective of the operation of the shutter operation mechanism 30. A light switch 81 may be installed for switching the power from the light 80. In the drawings, reference numeral 39 represents a switch for switching the whole power of the saving box.

Second Embodiment The saving box 1B according to another embodiment of the present

invention will be explained with reference to Figures 6 through 8. The saving box 1 B includes a body 10, a shutter 20 and a shutter operation mechanism 30.

In the saving box 1 B, the body 10 includes a bingo section 15 instead of the success section 13 and the failed section 14 of the saving box 1A. In the embodiment of the present invention, what the coin 2 is inserted according to the set rule means that the coins 2 are inserted into the bingo section 15 with a bingo state.

Namely, if the coins 2 are not complied with the bingo rule, the inserted coins 2 are gathered in the body 10 without any event. But, if the coins 2 are inserted into the bingo section 15 according to the bingo rule, the gathered coins are discharged from the body 10.

As widely known in our life, in the bingo game, the number of 1-75 are written in 24 sections among 25 sections except for the center section, and the numbers are randomly selected. The person wins the bingo game by first arranging series 5 numbers in the vertical or horizontal or diagonal direction. The saving box 1 B according to the present invention is embodied based on the basic principle of the above known bingo game. in the saving box 1 B, the numbers of sections of the bingo section 15 is not limited to 25. For example, nine sections (3x3) are used as the bingo section 15 for increasing the probability of the bingo and simplifying the construction of the game.

In the case that there are nine sections, the bingo represents that the coins are inputted into all three sections which are formed in a horizontal direction, the coins are inputted into all three sections which are formed in a vertical

direction, or the coins are inputted into all three sections which are formed in a diagonal direction.

The coin outlet 12 is positioned below the bingo section 15. An openable shutter 20 is positioned between the bingo section 15 and the coin outlet 12, and closes the coin outlet 12. The opening and closing operations of the shutter 20 are implemented by the shutter operation mechanism 30.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the bingo section 15 is positioned on the shutter 20 in the horizontal direction. The bingo section 15 may be positioned in the vertical direction. Namely, any construction in which the coins are used for the bingo game may be possible.

The shutter operation mechanism 30 includes sensors 31 (for example, contact points) for detecting the arranged state of the coins inserted into the bingo section 15. In the preferred embodiment, the number of the sensors 31 (e. g. nine) is the number of sections of the bingo section 15 (e. g. nine). The sensors 31 are installed in each section. In addition, the control unit 35 of the shutter operation mechanism 30 operates the shutter operation mechanism 30 only when the sensors 31 detect the coins that are correctly inputted according to the bingo rule.

Indication lights 15A are installed on the front surface of the body 10 for checking the coin insertion state of the bingo section 15. The indication lights 15A are arranged in the horizontal and vertical directions in the same number (e. g. nine) as the number of sections of the bingo section 15 (e. g. nine). The indication lights 15A maintain an off state in usual time. When the coin 2 is inserted into a section of the bingo section 15, the corresponding indication light 15A is turned

on.

The construction of the shutter operation mechanism 30 for opening and closing the shutter 20 is not limited. For example, the shutter 20 may be formed in a door type hinged to the body 10. Therefore, when the shutter operation mechanism 30 operates, the shutter 20 that is in the horizontal state is slanted in one direction in order for the coins to fall down once for all.

The shutter operation mechanism 30 includes the above sensors 31 provided on the surface of the shutter 20, a driving force mechanism 33 like a solenoid for slanting the shutter 20 in one side when inserted coins form a bingo state, and a control unit 35.

The control unit 35 is operated by the signals of the sensors 31. Namely, the driving force mechanism 33 is operated only when the sensors 31 are matched with the bingo states for thereby opening the shutter 20 for a predetermined term and closing the same.

As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the operations of the shutter 20 and the shutter operation mechanism30 will be described. If the coins 2 inserted into the bingo section 15 do not correspond to the bingo rule, the shutter operation mechanism 30 does not work, and the shutter 20 maintains the closed state of the coin outlet 12 (Refer to A of Figure 8). If the inserted coins 2 are matched with the bingo rule, the operation of the control unit 35 starts (Refer to B of Figure 8).

The control unit 35 operates the driving force mechanism 33 for the term (required in order for the coins to fall down from the body) for thereby opening the shutter 20, so that the coins gathered in the body 10 fall down (Refer to C of Figure 8).

After the term is passed, the control unit 35 operates the driving force mechanism

33 in the reverse direction, and the shutter 20 is returned to the original position and is closed for thereby preparing the next coin insertion (Refer to D of Figure 8).

The saving box 1 B may include an on-and-off light 50, a sound generator 60, an operation doll 70, etc. which may be provided for various events in the same manner as the embodiment of the saving box 1A.

Third Embodiment The saving box 1 C according to still another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 9 through 11.

The saving box 1C includes a body 10, a shutter 20, and a shutter operation mechanism 30. In the saving box 1C, the body 10 includes a slot machine 16. What the coin 2 is inserted according to the set rule means that the images of the slot machine 16 operated by the inserted coin is matched to a winning rule of the slot machine 16.

Namely, if there are not the matching images in the slot machine 16 operated by the inserted coin 2, the coin 2 is gathered in the body 10. But, if there is the matching images in the slot machine 16, the coin are discharged from the body 10 together with formerly gathered coins.

As well known, the slot machine is a recreational machine having rotating cylinders painted a certain number of matching images, the cylinders are rotated by inserted coins. If the images of the cylinder are matched according to the winning rule, the coins are fallen down as a prize. Namely, in the embodiment, the present invention uses the slot machine.

In the present invention, the cylinder of the slot machine 16 is randomly rotated when the coin is inserted into the body 10. After inserting a coin, if there

are the matching images formed on the cylinder at a lower probability, the shutter operation mechanism 30 is operated and the shutter 20 that closes the coin outlet 12 of the body 10 is temporarily opened. There may be various image matching methods. In the present invention, it is preferably assumed that there is one type image matching method for a simplification of the game.

The coin outlet 12 of the body 10 is closed by the shutter 20, and the opening and closing operations of the shutter 20 are performed by the shutter operation mechanism 30.

As shown in Figures 1 through 5, the shutter and shutter operation mechanism of the saving box 1A may be directly adapted for the shutter 20 and the shutter operation mechanism 30 of the saving box 1C. But, in the preferred embodiments, the shutter operation mechanism 30 is operated when the images of the slot machine 16 are matched according to the winning rule.

As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the operations of the shutter 20 and the shutter operation mechanism 30 will be explained. When the coin 2 is inserted 'into the body 10, a sensor 16A detects the insertion of the coin, so that the slot machine 16 is operated. As a result of the operation of the slot machine 16, if the images are not matched according to the winning rule, the shutter operation mechanism 30 does not work and the shutter 20 still closes the coin outlet 12 (Refer to A of Figure 11). If the images of the slot machine are matched according to the rule, the control unit 35 operates (Refer to B of Figure 11).

Therefore, the control unit 35 operates the driving force mechanism 33 and opens the shutter 20 for a predetermined term, so that the coins gathered in the body 10 are discharged (Refer to C of Figure 11). After the term is passed, the control unit

35 operates the driving force mechanism 33 in the reverse direction, and the shutter 20 is closed at the original position for thereby preparing the next coin insertion (Refer to D of Figure 11).

The saving box 1 C may include an on-and-off light 50, a sound generator 60, and an operation doll 70 as an event apparatus in the same manner as the saving box 1 A. Also, a light 80 may be installed.

Other rules may be adapted in the saving box 1 according to the present invention except for the above set rules. For example, a rotation member that is rotated by the weight of the inserted coins may be installed in the body 10.

Wherein the shutter operation mechanism 30 and the shutter 20 are operated when the rotation member stops at a certain section based on a lower probability.

In addition, more than two events selected among the success section and the failed section, the bingo section, the slot machine and the rotation member may be adapted in the present invention. For example, both the slot machine 16 and the bingo section 15 may be installed in the upper and lower portions of the body 10. The slot machine is first operated and then the bingo game is performed by inserting one coin. In this case, if at least one game among the slot machine game and the bingo game is won by one time insertion of the coin, the shutter 20 is opened, and the coins are discharged.

As described above, in the present invention, the coin 2 is saved based on the throwing-in method. The coin that is wrongly thrown is fallen on the ground, and however, almost coins are inserted into the body 10 for thereby performing a set game. If the coin is inserted according to the set rule, the coins are discharged once for all and the light is turned on/off, and the sound is output

from the sound generator, and the operation doll performs a certain performance.

Therefore, in the present invention, it is possible to save the money together with a recreational interest.

Therefore, the saving box 1 according to the present invention is different from the conventional saving box in which the coin is simply inserted into the box through the slit. Therefore, in the present invention, it is possible to naturally enhance a saving movement. In addition, the saving box 1 may be used as a recreational facility.

As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described examples are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within its spirit and scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fall within the meets and bounds of the claims, or equivalences of such meets and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims.