The present invention relates to a toy figure including motion features.
In a toy figure for children, life-like features for the toy figure (or doll) generate interest for children. Thus, some types of dolls and toy figures include movable limbs or other appendages. Some toy figures include a mechanism that moves a limb or appendage of a toy figure. For example, manual movement mechanisms typically use an indirect movement, that is to say one or more limbs are movably supported upon the toy figure such as arms or legs while an additional movable actuator or lever is positioned elsewhere on the toy figure. A mechanism links the movement of the actuator to the movable limb, generating the desired movement as the actuator is manipulated. By way of further example, manipulation of one limb or appendage may cause a corresponding motion in another part of the toy figure.
The realistic motion of the appendages enhances the play value of the toy figure. Thus, it would desirable to provide an interactive toy with realistic motion capabilities.
The present invention is directed toward a doll or toy figure including a drive mechanism operable to move one or more portions of the figure. The drive mechanism may be configured to generate a predetermined motion pattern when engaged. By way of example, the drive mechanism may be configured to generate a nod, i.e., a forward bending and/or up-and-down movement of the head.
Like reference numerals have been used to identify like elements throughout this disclosure.
The terms “limb,” “arm,” and “appendage” are used interchangeably herein. The terms “doll” and “toy figure” are used interchangeably herein.
An embodiment of a toy figure is illustrated in
Each of the appendages 1020, 1022 is movable relative to the torso 1012. Appendage 1022 is pivotable in many directions in a conventional manner. Appendage 1020, however, is movable between a lowered position and a raised position relative to the torso 1012. Referring to
In this embodiment, a toy object 1040 is coupled to the appendage 1020. In particular, the toy object 1040 is a toy character, such as a frog, that is located proximate to the hand of the appendage 1020.
The toy
Referring to
As shown in
When the user moves the appendage 1020 downward along the direction of arrow “B” to its lowered position 1024 (shown in
Referring to
When the appendage 1020 is moved downward along the direction of arrow “F,” the head 1030 moves along the direction of arrow “H” to its forward oriented position 1032.
Referring to
An exemplary use of the toy
As the appendage 1020 moves from its lowered position 1024 to its raised position 1026, the head 1030 moves from its forward looking position to its side oriented position, so as to avoid contact with the toy object 1040 coupled to the appendage 1020. For example, when the toy object 1040 is a frog, the audible output associated with the toy object 1040 may be the frog asking the toy
The user can then move the appendage 1020 upward to its raised position 1026 for a second time, which causes the head 1030 to move to its side position 1034 again. This second or subsequent movement of the appendage 1020 closes the switch 1120 again, thereby resulting in the generation of another audible output associated with the toy object 1040 and another audible output associated with the toy
The appendage 1020 can be moved upward to its raised position 1026 for a third time, causing the head 1030 to move to the side position 1034 again. Another set of audible outputs associated with the toy object 1040 and the toy
The appendage 1020 can be moved upward to its raised position 1026 for a fourth time, causing the head 1030 to move from its forward position 1032 to its tilted position 1036 (as shown in
The first arm 120 is coupled to the arm gear 215 that is pivotally supported within the torso. The arm gear 215 rotates about a generally horizontal socket axis. Referring to
Referring back to
The second clutch 225 includes a female portion 360 and a male portion 365. The female portion 360 of the second clutch 225 selectively mates with the plate 350 of the first clutch 220. The female portion 360 of the second clutch 225 includes a central aperture 370 that receives an end 345A of the shaft 345. When the user moves the arm 120 upward, the male portion 365 of the second clutch 225, which is coupled to the axle 345, rotates relative to and slides along the female portion 360 of the second clutch 225 until the male and female portions are operatively engaged with each other. When the user moves the arm 120 downward, the male portion 365 drives the female portion 360 for a quarter of a full rotation. In alternative embodiments, the amount of rotation of the second clutch 225 and in particular, the female portion 360, can vary.
In addition, the surface 375 of the female portion 360 that faces the plate 350 of the first clutch 220 is keyed to receive the plate 350 in a predetermined rotational orientation. As best seen in
Referring
The torso 100 houses a neck assembly configured to generate a canting/nodding motion of the head of the toy figure. Referring to
The lower neck connector 515 slidably engages the pulley 510. The lower neck connector 515 includes a central shaft 550 including a cam 555 disposed along its lower end. A socket 560, spaced from the cam 555, is disposed along its upper end. The cam 555 is longitudinally spaced from the socket 560 to define a guide rail 565 that receives tabs formed in the neck portion of the torso. The socket 560 includes a cut-out area 570 configured to receive the pin 540 and post 535, permitting the axial movement of the post and pin within the cut-out area.
The upper neck connector 520 is pivotally coupled to the lower neck connector. The lower neck connector includes a base 575 including a ramp 580. The ramp 580 is positioned within the socket 560 of the lower neck connector 515, and is rotatably connected within the socket 560 via a pin 585. The upper neck connector 520 is spring biased into a normal, upright position via neck spring 590. The upper neck connector 520 further includes a head post 595 that captures the head of the toy figure thereto.
In operation, when an upward force is applied to the pulley 510 (indicated by arrow F), the pulley is driven upward, causing the post 535 to travel through the cut-out area 570 of the lower neck connector 515 until the pin 540 of the lower neck connector 515 engages the ramp 580 on the upper neck connector 520. The upward movement of the pin 540 contacts the ramp 580, pivoting the upper neck connector 520 forward around the pin 590. Specifically, the upper neck connector 520 is tilted forward, from a first position, in which the axis of the upper neck connector 520 is substantially aligned with the axis of the lower neck connector 515, to a second position, in which the axis of the upper neck connector 520 is not aligned with the axis of the lower neck connector 515.
The operation of the device is explained with reference to
In operation, rotating the first arm 120 upward can generate a head turning or a head nodding movement, depending on the configuration of the movement mechanism 200. Referring to
In this embodiment, each rotation of the arm 120 upwardly causes the male portion 365 of the second clutch 225 to move approximately 90 degrees or a quarter of a rotation. The male portion 365 engages the female portion 360 and causes the female portion 360 to rotate the same amount. When the arm 120 is rotated downward, the male portion 365 slides along the surface of the female portion 360 and the female portion 360 does not rotate. When the arm 120 is cycled again through its upward and downward movement, the female portion 360 is moved another 90 degrees. Similarly, when the arm 120 is cycled again through its upward and downward movement, the female portion 360 is moved another 90 degrees.
As described above, on the fourth cycle of appendage or arm movement, the head of the toy figure is tilted or canted forward instead of turning to the side. Thus, as the female portion 360 of the second clutch 225 is advanced or rotated by the fourth movement of the arm 120 upward, the head of the toy figure is canted or tilted forward.
Referring the
In an alternative embodiment, the tilting forward of the head can occur on the second, third, or any subsequent movement of the appendage from its lowered position to its raised position, depending on the rotation of the clutches of the movement mechanism.
While the invention has been described in detail and with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. For example, it is to be understood that terms such as “left”, “right” “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “rear”, “side”, “height”, “length”, “width”, “upper”, “lower”, “interior”, “exterior”, “inner”, “outer” and the like as may be used herein, merely describe points of reference and do not limit the present invention to any particular orientation or configuration.
This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/265,269, filed Nov. 30, 2009, entitled “Toy Figure with Motion Features,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
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