[go: up one dir, main page]

EP1790403A1 - Coordination réaliste de mouvements d'une partie du corps spécifique dans des jouets mécaniques - Google Patents

Coordination réaliste de mouvements d'une partie du corps spécifique dans des jouets mécaniques Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1790403A1
EP1790403A1 EP06124392A EP06124392A EP1790403A1 EP 1790403 A1 EP1790403 A1 EP 1790403A1 EP 06124392 A EP06124392 A EP 06124392A EP 06124392 A EP06124392 A EP 06124392A EP 1790403 A1 EP1790403 A1 EP 1790403A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
limb portion
upper limb
extended position
movement
portions
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP06124392A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Richard J. Maddocks
Jeffrey H. Olson
Peter Hall
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Hasbro Inc
Original Assignee
Hasbro Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Hasbro Inc filed Critical Hasbro Inc
Publication of EP1790403A1 publication Critical patent/EP1790403A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
    • A63H13/00—Toy figures with self-moving parts, with or without movement of the toy as a whole
    • A63H13/02—Toy figures with self-moving parts, with or without movement of the toy as a whole imitating natural actions, e.g. catching a mouse by a cat, the kicking of an animal
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
    • A63H11/00—Self-movable toy figures
    • A63H11/18—Figure toys which perform a realistic walking motion
    • A63H11/20—Figure toys which perform a realistic walking motion with pairs of legs, e.g. horses

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to mechanical toys with movable body parts. More particularly, the invention relates to a realistic electro-mechanical toy that can replicate lifelike resting and active positions and movements of animals and other creatures while they are supported on a surface as well as when they are picked up by a user by coordinating the positioning and movement of specific body parts.
  • an embodiment of the invention provides realistic mechanical toy operations that can replicate lifelike resting and active positions and movements of animals and other creatures while they are supported on a surface as well as when they are picked up by a user by coordinating the positioning and movement of specific body parts.
  • An upper limb portion facilitates extension of an intermediate limb portion when the upper limb portion is in its extended position, and retracts the intermediate limb portion when the upper limb portion is in its resting position with a biased joint positioning the intermediate limb portion to its extended position when the body is elevated away from a supporting surface.
  • the limbs of the present invention provides for emulating this drop down or drooping leg positioning by overriding the retracting function of each limb portion when the body is elevated from a supporting surface providing a realistic drop down leg feature in each limb.
  • a realistic electro-mechanical toy generally shown in FIG. 1A as reference numeral 10, providing limbs which emulate movements and positions of real live animals and other creatures both while they are being supported on a surface as well as when they are picked up to be played with by a user.
  • the animals are seen to drop down or droop their legs when they are picked up off a supporting surface.
  • Cats in particular can easily be shown to drop down or droop their legs in what looks like a relaxed and non-flexing position when they are picked up from a supporting surface.
  • the toy 10 of the present invention provides for limbs which emulate this drop down or drooping leg positioning by overriding the retracting function of each limb portion when the toy 10 is elevated from a supporting surface providing a realistic drop down leg feature in each limb.
  • the toy 10 may look like a variety of animals and creatures real or imagined with any number of movable limbs, and in an embodiment, the toy 10 takes on the shape of a cat and includes a pair of front limbs 12 and 14, and a pair of rear or hind limbs 16 and 18 each attached to a torso having a spine, upper portion and lower portion etc., hereafter referred to as body 20.
  • Front limb 12 mimics a cat's front limb and includes three limb portions namely an upper limb portion 22, an intermediate limb portion 24 and a lower limb portion 26. It is contemplated however, that a front limb of a different creature or animal embodied by the present invention may contain more or less than three limb portions.
  • Upper limb portion 22 is pivotally attached to the body 20 allowing reciprocatory movement of the upper limb portion 22 between a first resting position as seen in FIG. 2 and a second extended position as seen in FIGS. 1A-C.
  • a drive assembly generally referred to as reference numeral 28 and seen in FIG. 4, is coupled to the upper limb portion 22 and a motor (not shown) is included in the body 20 or coupled to the body 20 for driving movement of the upper limb portion 22.
  • the intermediate limb portion 24 is pivotally attached to the upper limb portion 22 which extends the intermediate limb portion 24 when the upper limb portion 22 is in the second extended position as seen in FIG. 1 B, and retracts the intermediate limb portion 24 when the upper limb portion 22 is in the first resting position as seen in FIG. 2.
  • a spring biased joint 30 is operative to bias the position of the intermediate limb portion 24 to the second extended position when the body 20 is elevated away from a supporting surface, such as when a user picks up the toy 10 to play with it.
  • the spring biased joint connects the intermediate limb portion 24 to the upper limb portion 22, however, in another embodiment, the spring biased joint may connect an upper limb portion to the body, as can be seen in the rear or hind limbs 16 and 18 and further discussed below.
  • a lower limb portion 26 is pivotally attached to the intermediate limb portion 24 by a spring biased joint 32 as seen in FIG. 1B.
  • the spring biased joint is operative to bias the lower limb portion 26 to an extended position when the upper limb portion 22 is in the first resting position as seen in FIG. 2, as well as when the body 20 is elevated away from a supporting surface such as when the toy 10 is picked up by a user.
  • a stop assembly 34 is coupled to the lower limb portion 26 limiting the range of movement of the lower limb portion.
  • the stop assembly 34 comprises a fixed barrier portion 36 that contacts a protrusion 38 attached to or integral with the lower limb portion 26 preventing pivoting of the protrusion 38 beyond the fixed barrier portion 26, however any standard stop assembly know in the art could also be utilized to limit the range of movement of the lower limb portion 26.
  • Movement of the front limb portions is driven by the motor and directed by the drive assembly 28 which cooperates with a linkage assembly 40 and/or a gear sector linkage 100 coupled to limb portions 22 and 24.
  • the drive assembly 28 (discussed in detail below) includes a cam mechanism 56 and a linkage 58, having two arms 58a and 58b, coupled to upper limb portion 22 at arm 58a for directing the reciprocatory movement of limb portion 22.
  • a stop assembly 31 is linked to the upper limb portion 22 for limiting the range of movement of limb portion 22.
  • the stop assembly 31, as seen in FIGS. 1A-C and 2 comprises a fixed post, screw, or protrusion 33 attached to or integral with the body 20 extending through a slot 35 cut through front upper limb portion 22.
  • the linkage assembly 40 discussed herein includes two generally flat, elongated, and non-flexible links 40a and 40b which work together to extend and retract the intermediate limb portion 24 when the upper limb portion 22 is in the second extended position as seen in FIG. 1B, and in the first resting position as seen in FIG. 2, respectively.
  • Elongated link 40a includes ends 41 and 43 and end 41 of link 40a is pivotally attached, by a screw, or pin, or any other known means, to upper limb portion 22 at attachment point 42 toward a distal end 23 of upper limb portion 22, as seen in FIG. 1 B.
  • Link 40a further includes a generally oval opening 44 at end 43 opposite the attachment point 42 through which the fixed post, screw, or protrusion 33 attached to or integral with the body 20 extends.
  • post 33 is also part of stop assembly 31 extending through opening 44 and slot 35 in the upper limb portion 22.
  • Post 33 also includes a lip 46 which engages link 40a preventing link 40a from slipping off post 33 while post 33 is allowed to move within the perimeter of opening 44 as the upper limb portion 22 extends and retracts.
  • elongated link 40b includes ends 45 and 47, however, end 45 is pivotally attached, by a screw, or pin, or any other known means, to intermediate limb portion 24 at an attachment point 48 toward a proximate end 25 of intermediate limb portion 24, as seen in FIG. 1 B.
  • Link 40b further includes a generally oval opening 50 toward end 47 opposite the attachment point 48 through which a fixed post, screw, or protrusion 52 attached to or integral with the upper limb portion 22 extends.
  • Post 52 also includes a lip 54 which engages link 40b preventing link 40b from slipping off post 52 while post 52 is allowed to move within the perimeter of opening 50 as the upper limb portion 22 extends and retracts.
  • Front limb 14 includes the same three limb portions, connections, and linkages as described for front limb 12 and moves and positions simultaneously and in the same manner as described for front limb 12.
  • links 40A and 40B are rigid and strong enough to hold the toy 10 in a cat-like sitting position, as seen in FIGS. 1A-B.
  • links 40A and 40B pivot to retract the front limb portions such that the toy appears as a cat resting in a laying position as partially seen in FIG. 2.
  • movement of the front upper limb portions may be directed by the drive assembly 28 cooperating with the gear sector linkage 100 coupled to limb portions 22 and 24 and operative to extend the intermediate limb portion 24 when the upper limb portion 22 is in the second extended position as seen in FIG. 1C, and retract the intermediate limb portion 24 when the upper limb portion 22 is in the first retracted position.
  • the gear sector linkage 100 discussed herein includes a first gear sector link 102 coupled to the upper limb portion 22 and cooperating with a second gear sector link 104 (indicated by dashed line reference and inset illustration to FIG. 1C) at least partially contained within the spring biased joint 30 and coupled to the intermediate limb portion 24, as seen in FIG. 1C.
  • First gear sector link 102 is generally flat, elongated and coupled through a pivot point 106 fixed to the upper limb portion 22.
  • First gear sector link 102 has a first end 108 which includes a span of teeth that engage with teeth included in second gear sector link 104 extending and retracting the intermediate limb portion 24 as the first gear sector link 102 rotates around pivot point 106.
  • the drive assembly 28 provides the gear assembly of first and second sector gears 102, 104 coupling the upper limb portion to the intermediate limb portion for directing movement of the intermediate limb portion.
  • First gear sector link 102 has a second end 110 which includes a captive elongated slot 112 through which post 33 extends, providing a stop assembly linked to the upper limb portion for limiting the range of movement of the upper limb portion similar to described stop assembly 31.
  • post 33 is attached to or integral with the body 20 and moves within the perimeter of slot 112 rotating the first gear sector link 102 about pivot point 106 as the upper limb portion 22 is extended and retracted.
  • Engagement of first gear link 102 with second gear link 104 as link 102 is rotated extends and retracts the intermediate limb portion 24 as the upper limb portion 22 is extended and retracted, respectively.
  • links 102 and 104 are rigid and strong enough to hold the toy 10 in a cat-like sitting position, as seen in FIG. 1C.
  • links 102 and 104 pivot to retract the front limb portions such that the toy appears as a cat resting in a laying position.
  • movement of the front upper limb portions may be directed by the drive assembly 28 cooperating with a gear assembly coupling the upper limb portion 22 to the body 20 for directing movement of the upper limb portion 22.
  • the gear assembly contemplated may include a stop assembly similar to stop assembly 31, described above, for limiting the range of movement of the upper limb portion.
  • the cam mechanism 56 includes a disc shaped cam member 60 with an attached or integral pin 62, and an elongated follower 64 or actuator linkage thereof.
  • Elongated follower 64 has a generally oval shaped slot 66 formed at an end 68, defined by slot wall 70 and including surface 70a which, when actuated, engages pin 62 of cam 60.
  • follower 64 has a generally oval shaped slot 72 at end 74, opposite end 68, defined by slot wall 76 and including surface 76a which, when actuated, engages linkage 58. More specifically, as motor 20 rotates cam 60, pin 62 rides along follower surface 70a at end 68, translating into a back and forth reciprocatory movement of follower 64.
  • arm 58b of linkage 58 engages follower surface 76a at end 74 transferring the reciprocatory movement of follower 64 to upper limb portion 22 which is attached to arm 58a of linkage 58.
  • the rotation of cam 60 by motor 20 is translated into the reciprocatiory movement of the upper limb portion 22.
  • the cam mechanism 56 is also linked to the body 20 which separates into an upper body portion 78 and a lower body portion 80, as seen in FIGS. 1A-C.
  • a body linkage 82 couples both body portions 78 and 80 to the cam mechanism 56 which is operable to move the body portions in opposite directions.
  • Linkage 82 has generally a wide V shape with an end 84 coupled to lower body portion 80 and an end 86 coupled to upper body portion 78 and also coupled to linkage arm 58b.
  • This separating and coming together of body portions 78 and 80 further coordinates the realistic positioning and movement of specific limb portions, and also serves to generate a kneading motion commonly seen in real cats while in a downward position with retracted front limbs.
  • the kneading motion occurs with movement of the body portions 78 and 80 while the toy 10 is in a first resting position, as seen in FIG. 2.
  • the body portions 78 and 80 are separated from each other in the first resting position and subtle movement of body portions 78 and 80 toward and away from each other make the front limbs appear to move back and forth and simulate a real cat's kneading motion.
  • Rear or hind limb 16 mimics a cat's rear or hind limb and includes three limb portions namely a rear upper limb portion 84, a rear intermediate limb portion 86 and a rear lower limb portion 88. It is contemplated however, that a rear limb of a different creature or animal embodied by the present invention may contain more or less than three limb portions.
  • Rear upper limb portion 84 is pivotally attached to body 20, and more particularly, to the lower body portion 80, as seen in FIG. 3.
  • the rear upper limb portion 84 is coupled to an axel linked to the motor for moving the limb portion 84 between retracted and extended positions.
  • the rear upper limb portion 84 is attached to the body by a spring biased joint 90 biasing the limb portion 84 to an extended position when the body 20 is elevated away from a supporting surface such as when the toy 10 is picked up by a user.
  • This drop down limb feature overrides the retracting movement of the limb providing a realistic limb feature which emulates a live cat's hind limb which droops in what looks like a relaxed and non-flexing position when they are picked up off a supporting surface.
  • a stop assembly 92 limiting the range of movement of the limb portion 84.
  • the stop assembly 92 as seen in FIG. 3, is the same structure and acts in the same manner as seen with stop assembly 31, discussed above, however, other embodiments of the invention may utilize alternative known stop assemblies.
  • a rear intermediate limb portion 86 is pivotally attached to the rear upper limb portion 84 and is retracted and extended as the rear upper limb portion 84 retracts and extends, respectively.
  • a rear lower limb portion 88 is pivotally attached to the rear intermediate limb portion 86 by a spring biased joint 94, as seen in FIG. 3.
  • the spring biased joint is operative to bias the rear lower limb portion 88 to an extended position when the body 20 is elevated away from a supporting surface such as when the toy 10 is picked up by a user.
  • a stop assembly may be coupled to the rear lower limb portion 88 for limiting the range of movement of the lower limb portion.
  • the stop assembly coupled to the rear lower limb portion 88 is the same structure and acts in the same manner as seen with stop assembly 34 discussed above, however, other embodiments of the invention may utilize alternative known stop assemblies.
  • Rear limb 18 includes the same three limb portions, connections, and linkages as described for rear limb 16 and moves and positions simultaneously and in the same manner as described for rear limb 16.

Landscapes

  • Toys (AREA)
EP06124392A 2005-11-29 2006-11-20 Coordination réaliste de mouvements d'une partie du corps spécifique dans des jouets mécaniques Withdrawn EP1790403A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US74061305P 2005-11-29 2005-11-29
US11/552,732 US20070123142A1 (en) 2005-11-29 2006-10-25 Realistic coordinating of specific body part movements in mechanical toys

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1790403A1 true EP1790403A1 (fr) 2007-05-30

Family

ID=37891021

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP06124392A Withdrawn EP1790403A1 (fr) 2005-11-29 2006-11-20 Coordination réaliste de mouvements d'une partie du corps spécifique dans des jouets mécaniques

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (1) US20070123142A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP1790403A1 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN106239523A (zh) * 2016-08-22 2016-12-21 安徽省徽之尚机电科技有限公司 一种龙虾机器人
CN115105842A (zh) * 2021-03-23 2022-09-27 汕头市澄海区骏意玩具设计有限公司 一种趣味爬行玩具

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11230017B2 (en) * 2018-10-17 2022-01-25 Petoi Llc Robotic animal puzzle
US11957991B2 (en) * 2020-03-06 2024-04-16 Moose Creative Management Pty Limited Balloon toy
CN116945227A (zh) * 2022-04-19 2023-10-27 北京小米移动软件有限公司 驱动机构和机器人

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3195270A (en) * 1963-03-01 1965-07-20 Marvin Glass & Associates Animated toy figure
US6120343A (en) * 1998-12-04 2000-09-19 Giochi Preziosi Lussemburgo Sa Mechanism for moving the lower limbs of a toy figure
WO2001060474A2 (fr) * 2000-02-17 2001-08-23 Dsle System S.A. Poupee simulant l'action de marcher
US6752683B1 (en) * 2003-09-09 2004-06-22 Thomas P. Godfrey Animated figure

Family Cites Families (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2924042A (en) * 1960-02-09 Walking mechanisms
DE481725C (de) * 1924-03-22 1929-09-02 Vittorio Gobbato Vorrichtung zur Darstellung der Schreitbewegungen von Vierfuesslern
US2763095A (en) * 1953-05-15 1956-09-18 Stearns Albert Frank Motorless automatic walking doll
JPS5044235Y2 (fr) * 1972-05-10 1975-12-17
US4246722A (en) * 1979-02-16 1981-01-27 Mattel, Inc. Growing baby doll
US5735726A (en) * 1996-12-09 1998-04-07 Telco Creations, Inc. Animated sitting and standing santa character
US6095887A (en) * 1998-02-24 2000-08-01 Onilco Innovacion S.A. Doll capable of walking with unsteady steps and with falling and upright recovery motions
US6280285B1 (en) * 2000-04-04 2001-08-28 Jeffrey C. Morehouse Projectile launching action toy having members capable of coordinated movement
US6257950B1 (en) * 2000-05-12 2001-07-10 Jamal M. Saleh Self-propelled toy
US6620021B2 (en) * 2001-11-13 2003-09-16 Da-Ming Liu Oscillation device of motion toy
US6843703B1 (en) * 2003-04-30 2005-01-18 Hasbro, Inc. Electromechanical toy

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3195270A (en) * 1963-03-01 1965-07-20 Marvin Glass & Associates Animated toy figure
US6120343A (en) * 1998-12-04 2000-09-19 Giochi Preziosi Lussemburgo Sa Mechanism for moving the lower limbs of a toy figure
WO2001060474A2 (fr) * 2000-02-17 2001-08-23 Dsle System S.A. Poupee simulant l'action de marcher
US6752683B1 (en) * 2003-09-09 2004-06-22 Thomas P. Godfrey Animated figure

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN106239523A (zh) * 2016-08-22 2016-12-21 安徽省徽之尚机电科技有限公司 一种龙虾机器人
CN115105842A (zh) * 2021-03-23 2022-09-27 汕头市澄海区骏意玩具设计有限公司 一种趣味爬行玩具
CN115105842B (zh) * 2021-03-23 2024-05-07 汕头市澄海区骏意玩具设计有限公司 一种趣味爬行玩具

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20070123142A1 (en) 2007-05-31

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US6454626B1 (en) Motion expressible toy
US6224456B1 (en) Doll having an arm movement mechanism using a rear-facing lever
US6684552B1 (en) Turkey decoy
US5147238A (en) Tap dance doll
EP0030427B1 (fr) Poupée articulée
GB2170415A (en) Figure toy having a rotatable torso portion
GB2042785A (en) Articulated figure
DE60129098T2 (de) Gehendes, tierförmiges spielzeug mit kontrollierender leine
CN101437587A (zh) 铰接行走玩具装置
US3758982A (en) Activity doll
US5046987A (en) Toy boxer arms
AU731294B2 (en) Toy having jumping action
EP1790403A1 (fr) Coordination réaliste de mouvements d'une partie du corps spécifique dans des jouets mécaniques
WO2004030784A1 (fr) Jouet anime pouvant adopter plusieurs attitudes
US4069613A (en) Activity doll
US20110130070A1 (en) Toy Figure With Motion Features
US20070149089A1 (en) Customizable action figures
JP2003080476A (ja) 脚式移動ロボット、並びに脚式移動ロボットのための可動脚
US6935919B2 (en) Animation device for head, mouth, arms and body of a toy
US6165043A (en) Four-legged walking toy with improved leg action
US4560362A (en) Animated figure toy having a moveable torso and articulating jaw
US6752683B1 (en) Animated figure
US7695342B1 (en) Realistic grasping and standing movements in mechanical toys
US5478269A (en) Toy figure having grasping claw
US6200190B1 (en) Hugging mechanism

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: AL BA HR MK YU

AKX Designation fees paid
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: 8566

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 20071201