Patent Grant
6935919
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to animated figures, and more particularly, to a compact, inexpensive animation device for imparting realistic, life-like movements to the head, mouth, arms, and body of a figure or toy.
2. Background of the Invention
There have been known for many years various types of animated figures and toys which are capable of performing various movements in sequences and/or combinations so as to convey a life-like appearance. Such animated figures are often found in amusement parks, with more simplified animated toys being made available commercially in many toy stores or toy departments of various retail establishments. The animated figures often seen in amusement parks are generally of extremely complex construction, including many motors which facilitate the movements of various body parts of the figure (e.g., the head, eyes, mouth, arms, body, legs, etc.). The control of these numerous motors is typically facilitated by a central processor which is programmed to coordinate the actuation of the motors as needed to impart to the animated figure life-like movements. As will be recognized, these animated figures are highly sophisticated, expensive devices, typically unsuitable for the consumer market.
Those animated figures (e.g., toys) which are suited for the consumer markets are substantially less complex, and thus, substantially less expensive than the aforementioned “amusement park” animated figures. In this regard, animated figures that are currently available, such as dolls and soft toy animals, are typically provided with one or more motors capable of facilitating a limited range of movement of one or more corresponding body parts of the figure. The animated figures which include a single motor to facilitate movement of a corresponding body part tend to be less expensive, but are extremely limited in their ability to provide life-like movements to the figure. Animated figures or dolls which include multiple motors facilitating the movement of multiple body parts, while imparting a more life-like movement pattern and appearance to the figure, tend to be extremely costly due to the large number of motors included in the device, and hence, more prone to failure since the failure of even a single motor may compromise the functionality of the entire device
It would be desirable to provide an animation device which is capable of providing movement and motion in various directions for the head, mouth, arms and body of a toy; yet, the animation device must be inexpensive to produce, reliable, and have a limited amount of expensive components. In this regard, it would be advantageous to provide a reliable animation device capable of producing numerous motions while utilizing minimum number of electrical motors.
The present invention addresses these and other deficiencies of animated figures, soft toy animals, and dolls currently available to consumers by providing an animation device for imparting to a toy such as a doll or a soft toy animal, realistic life-like head, mouth, arm and body movements.
An aspect of the present invention is to provide a multitude of animation features, such as head, mouth, arms and body movement of a figure, in a reliable package, while at the same time utilizing a minimum amount of expensive components. To accomplish this task, a first component referred to as a head and mouth animation device is provided with a single motor to generate head and mouth movement. Moreover, a second component referred to as a lower drive unit is provided with a single motor to provide arms and body movement. By minimizing the amount of motors on the animation device, and yet providing numerous degrees of freedom, production costs can be reduced, allowing the animation device to sold at a reasonable rate. Furthermore, the reliability of the animation device can be improved if fewer electric motors are utilized.
The present invention overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages by providing at least six different types of body movements for a figure, while utilizing only two inexpensive electrical motors. Movements derived from the head and mouth animation device include movement of: (1) a lower jaw of the figure between open and closed mouth positions; (2) tilting the head of a figure forward or backward; and (3) tilting of the head of a figure to the right or to the left. Movements derived from the lower drive unit include: (4) twisting or rotational movement of an upper assembly or body portion about a vertical axis, (5) movement of arms of the figure in a motion which resembles the motion of human arms when the human is running; and (6) movement of a midbody perimeter hoop in a twisting, up and down, gyrating and erratic jerking motion.
In particular, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is an animation device for generating movements of limbs and extremities of an animated figure. The animated device includes a single motor coupled to a gear box assembly. A first drive axle coupled to the gear box assembly is provided, wherein the first drive axle is rotatable about a first axis. A second drive axle is also coupled to the gear box assembly, in which the second drive axle is rotatable about a second axis and oriented substantially perpendicular to the first drive axle. A gear train assembly is coupled to a lower end of the second drive axle and an output drive shaft is coupled to the gear drain assembly. Moreover, the output drive shaft is rotatable about a third axis oriented parallel to and offset from the second axis. A left cam is coupled to a left end of the first drive axle and a right cam is coupled to a right end of the first drive axle. Both the left and right cams are configured for radial movement about the first drive axle when the motor is activated. Furthermore, a middle cam is coupled to a middle section of the second drive axle and configured for radial movement about the second drive axle when the motor is activated. And, a lower cam is coupled to the output drive shaft, wherein the lower cam is configured for radial movement about the output drive shaft when the motor is activated.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the left cam is cooperatively attached to a left arm movement link cooperatively attached to a left arm assembly, wherein motion is induced in the left arm assembly when the motor is activated. Furthermore, the right cam is cooperatively attached to a right arm movement drive link cooperatively attached a right arm assembly, wherein motion is induced in the right arm assembly when the motor is activated.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a left arm assembly is provided containing a left shoulder axle having a left inboard retaining boss rotatably attached to a left shoulder bearing journal fixed to the animation device to form a left shoulder joint. A left input cam is coupled to a center section of the left shoulder axle, the left input cam swivel is attached to an upper end of the left arm movement link, and a left output cam is coupled to an outboard end of the left shoulder axle. Moreover, the left output and input cams are configured for simultaneous radial movement about the left shoulder axle, a left arm link swivel is attached to the left output cam, and a left forearm cam having a left forearm follower is integrally formed with the left forearm cam. Furthermore, motion is induced in the left forearm follower when the motor is activated.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, a right arm assembly is provided containing a right shoulder axle having a right inboard retaining boss rotatably attached to a right shoulder bearing journal fixed to the animation device forming a right shoulder joint. A right input cam is coupled to a center section of the right shoulder axle, the right input cam is swivel attached to an upper end of the right arm movement link, and right output cam is coupled to an outboard end of the right shoulder axle. The right output and input cams are configured for simultaneous radial movement about the right shoulder axle, a right arm link is swivel attached to the right output cam, and a right forearm cam having a right forearm follower is integrally formed with the right forearm cam, wherein motion is induced in the right forearm follower when the motor is activated.
Further aspects of the invention include a hoop movement cam cooperatively attached to an inner hub connected to a midbody perimeter outer frame by a plurality of spokes. The hoop movement cam is able to induce at least one of gyrating, jerking, tilting, up and down, and rotating movement of the midbody perimeter outer frame when the motor is activated.
According to a still a further aspect of the present invention, the lower cam is cooperatively attached to an arcuate shaped lower cam receiving slot formed in a surface of a housing assembly, in which the receiving slot induces an upper assembly of the animation device to rotate in a back and forth motion when the fourth cam is radially rotated about the third axis when the motor is activated.
In another embodiment of the present invention, an animation device is provided for generating movement of limbs and extremities of the animated figure. The animation device includes a lower motion unit, an upper motion unit, and a chassis adapted to internally house and support the lower and upper motion units. The lower motion unit includes a first motor coupled to a gear box assembly, a first drive axle coupled to the gear box assembly, wherein the first drive axle is rotatable about a first axis. A second drive axle is also coupled to the gear box assembly, in which the second drive axle is rotatable about a second axis, and the second drive axle is oriented substantially perpendicular to the first drive axle. Moreover, a gear train assembly is coupled to a lower end of the second drive axle with an output drive shaft coupled to the gear drain assembly, such that the output drive shaft is rotatable about a third axis oriented parallel to and offset from the second axis. Further, a left cam is coupled to a left end of the first drive axle and a right cam is coupled to a right end of the first drive axle. Both the left and right cam are configured for simultaneous radial movement about the first drive axle when the first motor is activated. Also, a middle cam is coupled to a middle section of the second drive axle, wherein the middle cam is configured for radial movement about the second drive axle when the first motor is activated. And, a lower cam is coupled to the gear train assembly, wherein the lower cam is configured for radial movement about the third axis when driven by the first motor. Furthermore, the upper motion unit includes, an upper cam cooperatively engaged to a jaw, wherein the upper cam is configured for linear movement along a fourth axis concurrently with pivotal movement about fifth and six axes which are both normal to the fourth axis and to each other. Moreover, a motor is coupled to the upper cam and operative to facilitate the movement thereof along the fourth axis concurrently with movement about the fifth and sixth axes.
In another aspect of the present invention, the upper cam cooperatively engages to the jaw such that movement of the upper cam about the fourth axis facilitates movement of the jaw between open and closed positions. With this aspect, movement of the upper cam about the fifth axis facilitates movement of a head portion in an arcuate path between left and right positions, and movement of the upper cam about the sixth axis facilitates movement of the head in an arcuate path between forward and backward positions.
Additionally, other aspects of the present invention include the left and right cam each having an arm movement link cooperatively connected to a respective left and right moveable arm to produce a back and forth swinging motion in the moveable arms. In yet another aspect of the present invention, the middle cam is cooperatively connected to an inner hub of a midbody perimeter hoop to produce a twisting, up and down, gyrating and erratic jerking motion of the midbody perimeter hoop.
In yet a further aspect of the present invention, a center axis of the midbody perimeter hoop is offset from the second axis, and furthermore, the center axis is tilted with respect the second axis. According to another aspect of the present invention, the lower motion unit, upper motion unit, and a chassis comprise an upper assembly of the animation device. Furthermore, a lower assembly includes a housing having a planar base and is covered by a revolving plate interconnected to a bottom side of the upper assembly.
Another aspect of the present invention provides a lower cam engaged to an arcuate shaped receiving slot integrally formed within the planar base to produce a back and forth rotational motion of the upper assembly about the second axis.
According to still a further embodiment of the present invention, an animation device is provided having a body composed of an upper assembly, midbody section, and lower assembly. The upper assembly has a moveable head with a movable lower jaw hinged to the head, and pair of moveable arms cooperatively attached to a respective pair of shoulders on the upper assembly. The upper assembly further includes an upper drive unit disposed within the upper assembly having a first electric motor coupled to a first gear train, the first gear train is coupled to a first at least one cam and follower set, with the first at least one cam and follower set cooperatively connected to the moveable head and the lower jaw to produce an up and down jaw movement and tilting of the head in a back and forth direction and side to side direction. Also, a lower drive unit is disposed within the upper assembly having a second electric motor coupled to a second gear train, with a second gear train coupled to a second at least one cam and follower set cooperatively connected to the pair of moveable arms to produce a back and forth swinging movement in the pair of moveable arms. A midbody section is rigidly connected to the upper assembly and rotatably connected to the lower assembly by a revolving plate, wherein the midbody has a midbody perimeter hoop defining an extremity of the body. The midbody section further includes a third at least one cam and follower set coupled to the first gear train, where the third at least one cam and follower set is cooperatively connected to the midbody perimeter hoop to produce at least one of a twisting, up and down, gyrating and erratic jerking motion of the midbody section. And the aforementioned embodiment further includes a lower assembly having a base adapted to support the body to a substantially horizontal planar surface. The lower assembly includes a third gear train disposed within coupled to a driveshaft coupled to the first gear train, and a fourth at least one cam and follower set cooperatively transferring motion to the revolving plate to produce a back and forth rotation of the upper assembly and the midbody about an axis defined by the driveshaft.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the animation device includes a programmable central processing unit for (1) programming specific dance routines dictated by motions produced by the animation device, (2) specific audible sounds, and (3) operational modes of which the animation device performs to accordingly.
Another aspect of the present invention includes a motion detector which activates the animation device when motion is detected by the detector. A still further aspect of the invention is an infrared transmitting and receiving feature allowing the animation device to send and receive data over a wireless infrared connection. Other aspects of the invention include a body adapted to be exteriorly attached to the animation device. Also, an aspect of the present invention, is that the body is a Christmas tree figure.
Another aspect of the present invention includes a clutch release mechanism integrated into the driveshaft between the second gear train and the third gear train to prevent damage to the animation device when moving parts of the animated device are inappropriately forced to be moved by a user of the animated device.
Another embodiment of the present invention includes an animation device including a first motor coupled to a first gear train having a first and second output shaft in which the output shafts are configured perpendicular to each other. A left cam is radially connected to a left end of the first output shaft wherein the left cam drives a left follower to induce motion in a left arm assembly. A right cam is radially connected to a right end of the first output shaft so that the right cam drives a right follower to induce motion in a right arm assembly. And a middle cam is radially connected to the output shaft so that the middle cam drives a middle follower to induce motion in a midbody perimeter hoop.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a first input shaft is coupled to a center axis of the middle cam on one end and coupled to a second gear train on the other end. The second gear train has a third output shaft and a lower cam radially connected to the third output shaft. Moreover, the lower cam is interconnected with a lower cam receiving slot for inducing a rotational motion in an upper assembly of said animation device.
And yet another aspect of the present invention includes the animation device being composed of an upper assembly, midbody section, and lower assembly, wherein th first motor, first gear train, left cam, left follower, right cam, and right follower are contained within the upper assembly; and wherein the middle cam, the middle follower, and midbody perimeter hoop are exteriorly located proximate the midbody section. Another aspect of the present invention include the second gear train, third output shaft, lower cam, and lower cam receiving slot being contained within the lower assembly.
And yet still, another embodiment of the animation device is provided which includes an upper assembly rotatably interconnected to a lower assembly by a midbody section. The upper section includes a first motor coupled to a first gear train having a first and second output shaft wherein the output shafts are configured perpendicular to each other. A left cam is radially connected to a left end of the first output shaft, wherein the left cam drives a left follower to induce motion in a left arm assembly; and similarly, a right cam is radially connected to a right end of the first output shaft, wherein the right cam drives a right follower to induce motion in a right arm assembly. Also, a middle cam is provided and radially connected to the output shaft. The middle cam drives a middle follower to induce motion in a midbody perimeter hoop. The middle cam, middle cam follower, and midbody perimeter hoop are located within the midbody section between the upper assembly and lower assembly.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a first input shaft is coupled to a second gear train having a third output shaft, a lower cam is radially connected to the third output shaft, the lower cam is interconnected with a lower cam receiving slot for inducing a rotational motion in the upper assembly of the animation device, wherein the second gear train, lower cam, and cam lower receiving slot are contained within said lower assembly. And yet, another aspect of the present invention includes the middle cam, middle follower and midbody perimeter hoop being mounted to an exterior of the animation device proximate of the midbody section.
These aforementioned embodiments, aspects and features of the present invention will be discussed in greater detail below.
The present invention is further described in the detailed description that follows, by reference to the noted drawings by way of non-limiting examples of preferred embodiments of the present invention, in which like reference numerals represent similar parts throughout several views of the drawings, and in which:
The particulars shown herein are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the embodiments of the present invention only and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the present invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the present invention in more detail than is necessary for the fundamental understanding of the present invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the present invention may be embodied in practice.
A. General Description of Exemplary Embodiment of Animation Device
Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention only, and not for purposes of limiting the same,
The animated movements may be performed by animation device 2 may occur simultaneously, or in various sequences, depending on the desired animation effect. The control and coordination of such movement(s) is facilitated by a central processing unit 284 (e.g., a microprocessor) as will also be discussed in more detail later in the specification. Animation device 2 is able to impart the various movements to the animated figure, soft toy animal or doll through the use of only two electric motors. Thus, the animated figure including animation device 2 is considerably more simplified in construction. As a result, animation device 2 will be less costly to manufacture than those known in the prior art, more reliable, while at the same time providing superior animated effects.
The invention will now be described according to
B. Description of Exemplary Embodiment of Upper Assembly
C. Description of Exemplary Embodiment of Lower Drive Unit
This configuration is accomplished by coupling first electric motor 76, having a first motor pulley 75, to a first drive pulley 80 via a first drive belt 86. First drive pulley 80 is coupled to one end of a pulley axle 90. A first pinion gear 92 is axially coupled to an opposing end region of pulley axle 90 and the other end of pulley axle 90 is rotatably disposed within a retaining boss. First pinion gear 92 is arranged to intermesh with and drive a first spur gear 94 which intermeshes with and drives a second pinion gear 95 axially coupled contiguous to first spur gear 94. Second pinion gear 95 is arranged to intermesh with and drive a second spur gear 96 which is fit to a second spur gear shaft 97 via a spur/pinion gear clutch 100. Furthermore, second spur gear 96 is axially coupled contiguous to a third pinion gear 98 and also subject to spur/pinion gear clutch 100. Third pinion gear 98 meshes with and drives a first axle drive spur gear 102 coupled to a first axle 106. First axle 106 is disposed within axle journals on both base 78 and cover 80 so as to position first axle 106 about a substantially horizontally first axis 107.
Mounted on opposing ends of first axle 106 is a left cam 82 and right cam 84, which when driven by first electric motor 76, produce simultaneous radial motion about first axle 106. As observed from
D. Description of Exemplary Embodiment of Arm Assemblies
The exterior of arm assembly 44 is formed by utilizing a front shoulder clam shell 62 connected to a rear shoulder clam shell 64. Interiorly molder within front and rear shoulder clam shells 62, 64 are input cam journals 66 and output cam journals 68 which are adapted to receive input cam 50 and output cam 52, respectively, and configured to allow cams 50, 52 to freely rotate. From
E. Description of Exemplary Embodiment of Lower Assembly
Besides providing an enclosure for battery case 115, upper housing 112 has other features which are herein next described. A collar 18 is connected to the top surface of planar base 141 wherein the top surface acts as the a top for enclosure 117. Integrally molded into planar base 141 is arcuate shaped lower cam receiving slot 140 which receives lower cam 124. Also, integrally molded to the exterior surface of collar 18 are a plurality of waist roller receivers 122 which are each adapted to receive a waste roller 120. As further shown in
Also shown in
F. Description of Exemplary Embodiment of Head and Mouth Animation Device
The following section of the specification discusses head and mouth animation device 26, which is utilized in the exemplary embodiment of the animation device. A similar embodiment of the head and mouth animation device 26 has been disclosed and discussed in U.S. application Ser. No. 10/127,241, filed on Apr. 22, 2002, entitled “Animation Device for Head and Mouth of a Toy”, the content of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
As shown in
Contiguously attached to and extending axially from second motor pulley 202 is a sixth pinion gear 206. The second motor pulley 202 and sixth pinion gear 206 collectively define an axially extending central aperture which slidably accommodates an elongate, cylindrically configured first pin 262 which is advanced into and through such central aperture. It is further noted that since both second motor pulley 202 and sixth pinion gear 206 are contiguously coupled together, they rotate in unison as one unit, however, they are still able to freely spin as one unit about first pin 262.
Next, it is noted that sixth pinion gear 206 is intermeshed and drives a fifth spur gear 212. Contiguously attached to and extending axially from fifth spur gear 212 is a seventh pinion gear 210. As a result of fifth spur gear 212 and seventh pinion gear 210 being coupled together, they collectively define a continuous aperture extending axially therethrough. This aperture has a circular cross-sectional configuration, and is sized to slidably accommodate an elongate second pin 264 which is also slidably advanced through bracket pin aperture 201 of the motor plate 198, with bracket pin aperture 201 having a diameter which closely exceeds the diagonal width of the second pin 264, thus allowing second pin 264 to be rotatable therein. It is further noted that since both fifth spur gear 212 and seventh pinion gear 210 are contiguously coupled together, they rotate in unison as one unit, however, they are still able to freely spin as one unit about second pin 262.
Furthermore, seventh pinion gear 210 is intermeshed with and drives a sixth spur gear 208, which like the second drive pulley 204 and six pinion gear 206, is rotatably mounted to first pin 262. Contiguously attached to and extending axially from the side sixth spur gear 208 is an inner cam 214 and an eighth pinion gear 218. Eighth pinion gear 218 is rotatably coupled to first pin 262 which extends through circular configured opening 199 within the motor mount plate 198 (see FIG. 26). Thus, is noted that eighth pinion gear 218 is advanced through circular configured opening 199 within the motor mount plate 198. It is further noted that since sixth spur gear 208 and eighth pinion gear 218 are contiguously coupled together, they rotate in unison as one unit, however, they are still able to freely spin as one unit about second pin 262.
Furthermore, as best seen in
Next, it can be seen that inner cam follower 228 is positioned between six spur gear 208 and the motor mount plate 198 (see
In regard to functionality, the activation of second electric motor 196 facilitates rotation in second drive pulley 204, which in turn facilitates rotation of sixth pinion gear 206, and which in turn facilitates concurrent rotation of fifth spur gear 212. The rotation of fifth spur gear 212 facilitates rotation of seventh pinion gear 210, which facilitates rotation of six spur gear 208. The rotation of six spur gear 208 facilitates concurrent rotation of both eighth pinion gear 218 and inner cam 214 which are attached thereto. The eighth pinion gear 218 rotates within the opening 199 of the motor mount plate 198, with the inner cam 214 rotating within inner cam receiving slot 216 of inner cam follower 228. Due to inner cam 214 being radially offset from the axis of the six spur gear 208, the rotation of inner cam 214 within inner cam receiving slot 216 facilitates a reciprocal upward and downward vertical movement of the inner cam follower 228. Such reciprocal movement of inner cam follower 228, in turn, results in reciprocal upward and downward pivotal movement of lower jaw plate 188.
As indicated above, it is contemplated that head and mouth animation device 26 of the present invention will be integrated into an animated figure such as a doll or a soft toy animal. In this application, the lower jaw plate 188 will be disposed within the doll or soft toy animal head and cooperatively engaged to a moveable lower jaw thereof. The opposed ends of jaw tube 192 are pivotally connected to jaw connecting pins 189 fixed on left side vertical support member 244 and right side vertical support member 246 (see FIG. 25). The upward vertical movement of inner cam follower 228, as a result of the rotation of inner cam 214, facilitates downward pivotal movement of the lower jaw plate 188, and hence the movement of the animated doll mouth to an “open mouth” position. Conversely, the downward movement of inner cam follower as a result of the rotation of inner cam 214 results in upward pivotal movement of the lower jaw plate 188, and hence, movement of the animated doll mouth to a “closed mouth” position.
As further seen in
Operatively coupled to annular outer cam 224 is outer cam follower 226 having a circularly configured primary opening 227 and a smaller, circularly configured secondary opening 229. Due to annular outer cam 224 being offset from the axis define by second pin 264 and of which seventh spur gear 220 is centered, the rotation of the seventh spur gear 220 facilitates a back and forth reciprocal movement of outer cam follower 226 which induces motion in the head and mouth animation device which is described in more detail below.
The aforementioned drive train components are disposed between a front inner casing 234 and a rear inner casing 236 of the head and mouth animation device 26. Disposed in the approximate center of the front inner casing 234 is inner casing boss 238 having an aperture extending axially therethrough which is sized and configured to receive and rotatably support a forward end of first pin 262. Also disposed within the front inner casing 234 is front inner casing receiving aperture 239 which is laterally offset from inner casing boss 238 and is configured to receive and rotatably support the forward end of first pin 236. Similarly, disposed within the approximate center of the rear inner casing 264 is rear inner casing boss 237 having an aperture extending axially therethrough which is sized to receive and rotatably support a rear end of the first pin 262. Also disposed within the rear inner casing 264 is rear inner casing pin receiving aperture 240 which is sized and configured to receive and rotatably support the second pin 264. As will be discussed in more detail below, the second pin 264 is sized such that it is advanced through rear inner casing pin receiving aperture 240. Next, it is observed that left side vertical support member 244 and right side vertical support member 246 are clamshelled together and attached to an upper structure 233 which projects upwardly from the front inner casing 234. Fastened to a pair of attaching bosses 245 located on a mid-section of vertical support members 244, 246 are left semi-circular structure 248 and right semi-circular structures 250, each having a respective pair of boss receivers 249 which accept attaching bosses 245. Moreover, integrally formed above the attaching bosses 245 on both left side vertical support member 244 and right side vertical support member 246 are rail receiving members 247 which are adapted to receive rear support member 242 is a slidable manner.
As seen in
In the upper motion unit 26, the front and rear inner casings 234, 236 are disposed between and rotatably connected to a front middle casing 252 and a rear middle casing 254. Disposed within the front middle casing 253 is a front casing aperture 260, while disposed within the rear middle casing 254 is a rear casing aperture 258. Also disposed within the rear middle casing 254 in spaced relation to rear casing aperture 258 is a second arcuate receiving slot 256. Additionally, formed on and extending inwardly from the inner surface of the rear middle casing 254 is an elongate, cylindrically configured outer cam receiving boss 274. Further, formed on and extending outwardly from one side wall of the front middle casing 252 is a front contact switch actuator 276 (see FIG. 26). Similarly, formed on and extending outwardly from one side wall of the rear middle casing 254 is a rear contact switch actuator 278. The use of the front and rear contact switch actuators 276, 278 will be described in more detail below.
In the upper motion unit 26, the inner casing boss 238 protruding from the front inner casing 234 is advanced into and rotatably supported within front casing aperture 260. Similarly, rear inner casing boss 237 protruding from the rear inner casing 236 is advanced into and rotatably supported within the aperture 258. The receipt of the bosses 238, 237 into respective ones of the apertures 260, 258 facilitates a rotatable connection of the attached front and rear inner casings 238, 236 to the receptacle collectively defined by the attached front and rear middle casings 252, 254. When such rotatable connection is achieved, the second pin 264, in addition to being extended through rear inner casing pin receiving aperture 240, is also extended through the second arcuate receiving slot 256, with a portion of the second pin 264 protruding therefrom in which circularly configured exterior cam 280 (see
When the front and rear inner casings 234, 236 are attached to each other, only a portion of outer cam follower 226 is disposed therebetween, with the segment of outer cam follower 226 defining the secondary opening 229 protruding from the attached front and rear inner casings 234, 236. When front and rear inner casings 234, 236 are rotatably connected to the front and rear middle casings 252, 254 in the above-described manner, cam boss 274 of the rear middle casing 254 is advanced into and through the secondary opening 229 of the outer cam follower 229. As indicated above, annular outer cam 224 may be rotated by the second reversible electric motor 196 to facilitate the movement of outer cam follower 226 to one side or the other. Such movement effectively causes the joined front and rear inner casings 234, 236 (and hence the figure's head) to pivot (rock or tilt) along an arcuate path between right and left positions relative to the joined front and rear middle casings 252, 254. Importantly, the shape of second arcuate receiving slot 256 accommodates the resultant movement of the second pin 264 in an arcuate path relative to the joined front and rear middle casings 252, 254. Thus, the exterior cam 280 which is at the exterior of the joined front and rear middle casings 252, 254 moves with the second pin 264 along its arcuate path, in addition to being rotated thereby. Thus, the rotation of annular outer cam 224 and resultant movement of outer cam follower 226 allows the components of upper motion unit 26 interfaced to and supported by the front and rear inner casings 234, 236 to be moved relative to the front and rear middle casings 252, 254 along an arcuate path between right and left positions.
Now referring back to
G. Description of Exemplary Control Circuitry
H. Description of Exemplary Motion of Exemplary Embodiment of Animation Device for Head, Mouth, Arms and Body of Toy
Based on the aforementioned description of the animation device for head, mouth, arms and body of toy, the motion of the exemplary embodiment is now described herewith. Initially it should be noted once again that movement of the present invention is programmable within central processing unit 284. Therefore, the animation device may perform an unlimited number of dancing routines as long as the motion fits within the allowable degrees of freedom provided by animation device 2.
There are three degrees of freedom with respect to movements derived from the head and mouth animation 26 device of the exemplary embodiment. A first type of movement is from lower jaw 188 between open and closed mouth positions as is illustrated in
There are also three degrees of freedom with respect to movements derived by lower drive unit 24 of the exemplary embodiment. A first type of movement is twisting or rotational movement of upper assembly 4 about the second axis 109. The second type of movement is up and down, swing back and forth movement of the arm assemblies 28, 30 which resembles the motion of a human's arms when the human is running. This motion is depicted in
I. Operation of Exemplary Embodiment of Animation Device for Head, Mouth, Arms and Body of Toy
Animation device 2 may be powered from a battery source or from an external electrical source which plugs into electrical cord receptacle 144 located in the back of left shoe 134. There are two battery compartments in the animation device 2, battery enclosure 180 located in right shoe 136, and battery case 115 located in lower assembly 6. Battery enclosure 180 holds four 1.5V alkaline “AA” batteries. Battery case 115 holds four 1.5V alkaline “C” batteries.
To operate animation device 2, the power on/off and volume control 142 should be rotated clockwise to the “On” position to turn animation device 2 on, or counter clockwise to the “Off” position to turn animation device 2 off. Moreover, volume control 142 may be used for adjustment of sound volume from speaker 42.
Furthermore, animation device has three mode settings which may be set by mode selection switch 146, including “Demonstration Mode”, “Motion-Activation Mode”, and “Button-Activated Mode”.
For “Demonstration Mode”, mode selection switch 146 is positioned to position “0” and volume control 142 should be turned clockwise towards the “On” position until it clicks on. Then activation button 288 should be pressed (located in the front of the character, see FIG. 10). In this mode, the character will sing and dance for about 20 seconds and then stop.
For the “Motion-Activation Mode”, mode selection switch 146 should be positioned to “1” and volume control 142 should be turned to the “On” position. In this mode, the character will sing and dance for about one minute every time someone passes by, then stop and wait for another person to pass by. The animation device 2 is able to sense motion because a motion detector 138 is installed into the upper left shoe toe 184.
For the “Button-Activated Mode”, mode selection switch 146 should be positioned to “2” and the volume control 142 should be turned to the “On” position. In this case, the character will start to sing and dance for about one minute and then stop.
Additionally, an embodiment of animation device 2 may include features which allows it to communicate with another animated figures or devices. Such technology is provided in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/200,696, filed Jul. 22, 2002, entitled, “Interactive Talking Dolls”, the contents of which are expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. For instance an embodiment may include incorporating within animation device 2 an infrared wireless receiver and transmitter. This feature may be utilized for allowing animation device 2 to send and receive data over a wireless connection. Also, the infrared feature may be utilized to have animation device 2 speak to and move in unison with another similar animated device so as to carry out coordinated movements and simulate conversation between a plurality of animated figures.
Although the invention has been described with reference to several exemplary embodiments, it is understood that the words that have been used are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Changes may be made within the purview of the appended claims, as presently stated and as amended, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention in its aspects. Although the invention has been described with reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, the invention is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed; rather, the invention extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods, and uses such are within the scope of the appended claims.
The present application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/127,241, filed on Apr. 22, 2002 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,616,503, entitled “Animation Device for Head and Mouth of a Toy”, the content of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3597878 | Iwasaki et al. | Aug 1971 | A |
| 4673371 | Furukawa | Jun 1987 | A |
| 4717364 | Furukawa | Jan 1988 | A |
| 4775352 | Curran et al. | Oct 1988 | A |
| 4828530 | Lee | May 1989 | A |
| 4869703 | Ong | Sep 1989 | A |
| 4878875 | Pin-Hung et al. | Nov 1989 | A |
| 5413517 | Kamijima | May 1995 | A |
| 5823845 | O'Berrigan | Oct 1998 | A |
| 5855502 | Truchsess | Jan 1999 | A |
| 5966853 | Yeh | Oct 1999 | A |
| 6017261 | Wachtel | Jan 2000 | A |
| 6036572 | Sze | Mar 2000 | A |
| 6135848 | Hou | Oct 2000 | A |
| 6149490 | Hampton et al. | Nov 2000 | A |
| 6149491 | Arad et al. | Nov 2000 | A |
| 6343970 | Lee et al. | Feb 2002 | B1 |
| 6352464 | Madland et al. | Mar 2002 | B1 |
| 6454626 | An | Sep 2002 | B1 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20040198160 A1 | Oct 2004 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 10127241 | Apr 2002 | US |
| Child | 10621544 | US |
