METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ROTATING AN UPPER TORSO OF AN ACTION FIGURE

Abstract

A torso of an action figure that includes a first half member; a second half member; a rotatable cylindrical disk configured to fit within the first half member and the second half member, the rotatable disk having a first rod extending from a first side of the rotatable cylindrical disk and a second rod extending from a second side of the rotatable disk, the first and the second rods configured to allow the rotatable disk to rotate within the first half member and the second half member; and a sleeve configured to move with and cover the rotatable cylindrical disk.

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present invention is directed to method and system for rotating the upper torso of an action figure backwards and forwards.

BACKGROUND

Action figures have been and continue to be a stable source of amusement for both adults and children. Most action figures have one or more moveable parts including extremities such arms, head, hands, abdomen, and legs, which rotate on a hinge or a ball and socket.

In order for toys such as large action figures to have a rotatable upper torso, most toys have a relatively heavy lower section (legs) and a hollow upper section (i.e., torso or belly) so that the toy does not fall over when the upper torso is rotated forward and backward since the center of gravity of the toy is lowered. However, it is not desirable to have a toy with a relatively heavy lower portion and a hollow upper portion.

SUMMARY

In consideration of the above issues, it would be desirable to have a method and system for rotating an upper torso of an action figure that fits within an upper torso of the action figure and provides almost 180 degree rotation of the upper torso and head of the action figure and wherein the center of gravity of the action figure does not change with the rotation of the upper torso and head forward or backward.

In accordance with an aspect, a torso of an action figure comprising: a first half member; a second half member; a large rotatable cylindrical disk configured to fit within the first half member and the second half member, the rotatable disk having a first rod extending from a first side of the rotatable cylindrical disk and a second rod extending from a second side of the rotatable disk, the first and the second rods configured to allow the rotatable disk to rotate within the first half member and the second half member; and a sleeve configured to move with and cover the rotatable cylindrical disk.

In accordance with another aspect, a method for assembling an upper torso of toy action figure comprising: fitting a rotatable cylindrical disk within a first half member and a second half member, the rotatable cylindrical disk having a first rod extending from a first side of the rotatable cylindrical disk and a second rod extending from a second side of the rotatable disk, the first and the second rods configured to allow the rotatable disk to rotate within the first half member and the second half member; and covering the rotatable cylindrical disk with a sleeve

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an upper torso of an action figure in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an upright front view of the upper torso of the upper torso of the action figure in FIG. 1 illustrating a rotatable cylindrical disk housed within a first half member and a second half member in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an upright side view of the upper torso of the action figure in FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a forward front view of the upper torso of the action figure in FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a forward side view of the upper torso of the action figure in FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a backward front view of the upper torso of the action figure in FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a backward side view of the upper torso of the action figure in FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a view of action figure having in accordance with exemplary embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

FIGS. 1-7 illustrate various views of an upper torso of an action figure in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 1-7, the action FIG. 100 includes an upper torso 110 configured to receive a relatively large rotatable cylindrical disk 120 that is connected to a hinge joint and a flexible sleeve or cover 130 configured to cover the rotatable cylindrical disk 120 housed in the upper torso 110. The rotatable cylindrical disk 120 preferably has an outer diameter (i.e., curved surface) 126 that is equal to or less than outer diameter of the spherical upper torso 110 such that the rotatable disk 120 is housed within the upper torso 110.

In accordance with an embodiment, the torso 110 of the action FIG. 100 includes a first half member 160, a second half member 162, and a rotatable cylindrical disk 120 configured to fit within the first half member 160 and the second half member 162. The rotatable disk 120 can include a first rod 128 extending from a first side 122 of the rotatable cylindrical disk 120 and a second rod 129 extending from a second side 124 of the rotatable disk 120. The first and the second rods 128, 129, are configured to allow the rotatable disk 120 to rotate within the first half member 160 and the second half member 162. For example, the first and second rods 128, 129 can be configured to fit within a corresponding recess within the first half member 160 and the second half member 162, respectively. For example, each of the first half member 160 and the second half member 162 can include a pair of recesses that are configured to receive an end portion of the first and second rods 128, 129 and upon assembly of the first half member 160 and the second half member 162, for a pair of cylindrical recesses configured to receive the ends of each of the first and second rods 128, 129. In addition, the upper torso 110 can include a sleeve 130 (or cover) configured to move with and cover the rotatable cylindrical disk 120. The sleeve (or cover) 130 can have, for example, a generally oval shape that extends over the rotatable cylindrical disk 120 on the front and back of the upper torso 110.

In accordance with an embodiment, the torso 110 of the action FIG. 100 can include one or more rods 194, and one or more hollow sections 190, 192 configured to receive an end portion of a corresponding rod of the one or more rods 192. The one or more rods 194 and the one or more hollow sections 190, 192 are configured to extend from an inside of the first half member 160 to an inside of the second half member 162 such that the first half member 160 is attached to the second half member 162. For example, the one or more rods can be 8 to 14 rods and the one or more hollow sections can be 8 to 14 hollow sections.

In accordance with an embodiment, the one or more rods 194 and the one or more hollows sections 190, 192, for example, can include one or more circular rods 195 and tube-like hollow sections 191 and one or more rectangular rods 197 and rectangular hollow sections 193. In addition, the one or more rods 194 can include one or more of pentagon, hexagon, or octagon shaped rods 196 and corresponding hollow spaces 198.

In accordance with an embodiment, the sleeve 130 is polyvinyl chloride (PVC) sleeve. For example, the PVC sleeve can be made from PVC having a Shore hardness of 65A to 85A (durometer on the A-scale), and more preferably, the PVC sleeve is made from PVC having a Shore hardness of 75A.

In accordance with an embodiment, the upper torso 110 of the action FIG. 100 includes a pair of butterfly joints 180, 182, configured to receive one or more extremities of the action FIG. 100.

In accordance with an embodiment, the rotatable cylindrical disk 120 includes the first side 122, the second side 124, and an outer edge 126 that has an outer diameter (or curved surface) that is equal to or slightly less than an outer diameter of the first half member 160 and the second half member 162 when assembled. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, a portion of the rotatable cylindrical disk 120 is housed within a lower portion 161 of the first half member 160 (and a lower portion of the second half member 162) such that only an upper portion of the rotatable cylindrical disk 120 is not enclosed by the first half member 160 (or second half member 162), which is exposed portion is covered with the sleeve 130. The outer edge (curved surface) 126 of the rotatable cylindrical disk 120 can, for example, have a width of 10 mm to 20 mm and a diameter of the first side (i.e., first parallel circular base) and the second side (i.e., second parallel circular base) can be, for example, 25 mm to 75 mm.

In accordance with an embodiment, the first half member 160 can be, for example, a belly of the action FIG. 100 and the second half member 162 is the back of the action FIG. 100.

In accordance with an embodiment, a neck piece 170 extends from an outer edge 126 of the rotatable disk 120. The neck piece 170 can be configured to receive a head 150 or other portion of the action figures 100.

In accordance with an embodiment, the one or more rods 194 extend from the second half member 162 into the one or more hollow sections 190, 192 on the first half member 160. Alternatively, the one or more rods 194 extend from the first half member 160 into the one or more hollow sections 190, 192 on the second half member 162. In accordance with an alternative embodiment, the one or more rods 194 extend from the first and the second half members 160, 162, into the one or more hollow sections 190, 192 on the first half and the second half members 160, 162.

FIG. 8 is a view of action FIG. 200 having in accordance with exemplary embodiments. As shown in FIG. 8, the action FIG. 200 includes an upper torso 110 configured to receive a relatively large rotatable cylindrical disk 120 (FIGS. 1-7) that is connected to a hinge joint and a flexible sleeve or cover 130 configured to cover the rotatable cylindrical disk 120 housed in the upper torso 110. The upper torso 110 is connected to a head 202 of the action FIG. 200, a pair of arms 204, and a pair of legs 206. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the action FIG. 200 can include, for example, one or more of double ball joints in the neck 210 (ball joint going into the head and into the neck with a small plastic connector in between), rotating and hinged shoulders 212, rotating and hinged elbow 214, rotating and hinged wrist 216, a double joint at the mid-torso 218, hinged and rotating hips 220, rotating thigh 222, double hinged knees 224, and hinged and rocking ankles 226.

(1) In accordance with an embodiment, a torso of an action figure comprising: a first half member; a second half member; a rotatable cylindrical disk configured to fit within the first half member and the second half member, the rotatable disk having a first rod extending from a first side of the rotatable cylindrical disk and a second rod extending from a second side of the rotatable disk, the first and the second rods configured to allow the rotatable disk to rotate within the first half member and the second half member; and a sleeve configured to move with and cover the rotatable cylindrical disk.

(2) The torso of the action figure according to (1), further comprising: one or more rods; and one or more hollow sections in the first half member and the second half member, the cone or more hollow sections configured to receive an end portion of a corresponding rod of the one or more rods, and wherein the one or more rods and the one or more hollow sections are configured to extend from an inside of the first half member to an inside of the second half member.

(3) The torso of the action figure according to (1)-(2), wherein the one or more rods is 8 to 14 rods and the one or more hollow sections is 8 to 14 hollow sections.

(4) The torso of the action figure according to (1)-(3), wherein the one or more rods and the one or more hollows sections include one or more circular rods and tube-like hollow sections and one or more rectangular rods and rectangular hollow sections.

(5) The torso of the action figure according to (1)-(4), wherein the sleeve is polyvinyl chloride (PVC) sleeve.

(6) The torso of the action figure according to (1)-(5), wherein the PVC sleeve is made from PVC having a Shore hardness of 65A to 85A.

(7) The torso of the action figure according to (1)-(6), wherein the PVC sleeve is made from PVC having a Shore hardness of 75A.

(8). The torso of the action figure according to (1)-(7), further comprising: a pair of butterfly joints configured to receive one or more extremities of the action figure.

(9) The torso of the action figure according to (1)-(8), wherein the rotatable cylindrical disk includes the first side, the second side, and an outer edge between the first half member and the second half member.

(10) The torso of the action figure according to (1)-(9), wherein the outer edge of the rotatable cylindrical disk has a width of 10 mm to 20 mm and a diameter of the first side and the second side is 25 mm to 75 mm.

(11) The torso of the action figure according to (1)-(10), wherein the first half member is a belly of the action figure and the second half member is the back of the action figure.

(12) The torso of the action figure according to (1)-(11), further comprising: a neck piece extending from an outer edge of the rotatable disk, the neck piece configured to receive a head or other portion of the action figures.

(13) The torso of the action figure according to (1)-(12), wherein the one or more rods extend from the second half member into the one or more hollow sections on the first half member.

(14) The torso of the action figure according to (1)-(13), wherein the one or more rods extend from the first half member into the one or more hollow sections on the second half member.

(15) The torso of the action figure according to (1)-(14), wherein the one or more rods extend from the first and the second half members into the one or more hollow sections on the first half and the second half members.

(16) A method for assembling an upper torso of toy action figure comprising: fitting a rotatable cylindrical disk within a first half member and a second half member, the rotatable cylindrical disk having a first rod extending from a first side of the rotatable cylindrical disk and a second rod extending from a second side of the rotatable disk, the first and the second rods configured to allow the rotatable disk to rotate within the first half member and the second half member; and covering the rotatable cylindrical disk with a sleeve.

(17) The method according to (16), further comprising: receiving an end portion of a corresponding rod of one or more rods in a corresponding hollow section of one or more hollow sections to attach the first half member to the second half member.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the invention, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention. It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A torso of an action figure comprising: a first half member;a second half member;a rotatable cylindrical disk configured to fit within the first half member and the second half member, the rotatable disk having a first rod extending from a first side of the rotatable cylindrical disk and a second rod extending from a second side of the rotatable disk, the first and the second rods configured to allow the rotatable disk to rotate within the first half member and the second half member; anda sleeve configured to move with and cover the rotatable cylindrical disk.

2. The torso of the action figure according to claim 1, further comprising: one or more rods; andone or more hollow sections in the first half member and the second half member, the cone or more hollow sections configured to receive an end portion of a corresponding rod of the one or more rods, and wherein the one or more rods and the one or more hollow sections are configured to extend from an inside of the first half member to an inside of the second half member.

3. The torso of the action figure according to claim 2, wherein the one or more rods is 8 to 14 rods and the one or more hollow sections is 8 to 14 hollow sections.

4. The torso of the action figure according to claim 2, wherein the one or more rods and the one or more hollows sections include one or more circular rods and tube-like hollow sections and one or more rectangular rods and rectangular hollow sections.

5. The torso of the action figure according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve is polyvinyl chloride (PVC) sleeve.

6. The torso of the action figure according to claim 5, wherein the PVC sleeve is made from PVC having a Shore hardness of 65A to 85A.

7. The torso of the action figure according to claim 6, wherein the PVC sleeve is made from PVC having a Shore hardness of 75A.

8. The torso of the action figure according to claim 1, further comprising: a pair of butterfly joints configured to receive one or more extremities of the action figure.

9. The torso of the action figure according to claim 1, wherein the rotatable cylindrical disk includes the first side, the second side, and an outer edge between the first half member and the second half member.

10. The torso of the action figure according to claim 9, wherein the outer edge of the rotatable cylindrical disk has a width of 10 mm to 20 mm and a diameter of the first side and the second side is 25 mm to 75 mm.

11. The torso of the action figure according to claim 1, wherein the first half member is a belly of the action figure and the second half member is the back of the action figure.

12. The torso of the action figure according to claim 1, further comprising: a neck piece extending from an outer edge of the rotatable disk, the neck piece configured to receive a head or other portion of the action figures.

13. The torso of the action figure according to claim 2, wherein the one or more rods extend from the second half member into the one or more hollow sections on the first half member.

14. The torso of the action figure according to claim 2, wherein the one or more rods extend from the first half member into the one or more hollow sections on the second half member.

15. The torso of the action figure according to claim 2, wherein the one or more rods extend from the first and the second half members into the one or more hollow sections on the first half and the second half members.

16. A method for assembling an upper torso of toy action figure comprising: fitting a rotatable cylindrical disk within a first half member and a second half member, the rotatable cylindrical disk having a first rod extending from a first side of the rotatable cylindrical disk and a second rod extending from a second side of the rotatable disk, the first and the second rods configured to allow the rotatable disk to rotate within the first half member and the second half member; andcovering the rotatable cylindrical disk with a sleeve.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising: receiving an end portion of a corresponding rod of one or more rods in a corresponding hollow section of one or more hollow sections to attach the first half member to the second half member.