US20120329363A1 - Toy Figure with Articulating Limb - Google Patents
Toy Figure with Articulating Limb Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20120329363A1 US20120329363A1 US13/495,584 US201213495584A US2012329363A1 US 20120329363 A1 US20120329363 A1 US 20120329363A1 US 201213495584 A US201213495584 A US 201213495584A US 2012329363 A1 US2012329363 A1 US 2012329363A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- appendage
- toy
- resilient member
- torso
- leg
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- 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.)
- Abandoned
Links
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Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
- A63H3/00—Dolls
- A63H3/36—Details; Accessories
- A63H3/46—Connections for limbs
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
- A63H3/00—Dolls
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
- A63H3/00—Dolls
- A63H3/36—Details; Accessories
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
- A63H3/00—Dolls
- A63H3/36—Details; Accessories
- A63H3/48—Mounting of parts within dolls, e.g. automatic eyes or parts for animation
Definitions
- the invention relates generally to toy action figures, and more specifically to a toy action figure having at least one movable limb for enacting various athletic movements, such as a leg kick or punch. Furthermore, the invention relates to a toy action figure which may comprise two or more moveable limbs to move in combination to enact various athletic movements.
- Toy action figures have become an extremely popular and well known play option for children and adults in the toy industry. Directed largely to young boys and collectors, these toy figures typically replicate male oriented heroes, villains, and the like. Most common themes include wrestlers, military, cartoon figures, warriors, or superheroes. Furthermore, the addition of life-like elements, including detailed sculpting and costumes have further enhanced the playability and collectability of these toy action figures.
- a majority of action figures are comprised of molded plastic bodies combined with a plurality of parts and components joined by a corresponding plurality of articulated joints.
- the overall effect is often intended to provide posing and/or movement similar to that performed by humans.
- Posability that is to say the ability to maintain a particular body position, is usually obtained by providing a friction-fit at one or more of the multiple articulated joints. While the appearances and physical size, as well as other design properties, have been stressed and improved upon to provide greater cohesiveness with the life-size character depicted, the functionality of toy action figures has remained relatively unchanged and in need of enhancement and improvement.
- a toy action figure which includes a torso, at least one appendage pivotally coupled to the torso, and a resilient member disposed within the at least one appendage.
- the resilient member is oriented substantially parallel to the proximodistal axis of the at least one appendage and configured to bias at least a portion of the toy figure in a rest position.
- a toy figure includes a torso, a hip portion pivotally coupled to the torso, at least one appendage pivotally coupled to the hip portion, and a resilient member disposed within at least one of the at least one appendage.
- the resilient member may be oriented substantially parallel to the proximodistal axis of the at least one appendage.
- the at least one appendage is pivotally coupled to the hip portion and the torso is rotatably coupled to the torso, such that the at least one appendage is pivotally coupled to the torso via the hips.
- the hip portion is coupled to the torso via a T-joint configured to allow 180 degree rotation of the hip portion with respect to the torso.
- the toy figure includes only one resilient member.
- the resilient member is a first resilient member and the toy figure also includes a second resilient member configured within a second appendage wherein the resilient member is oriented substantially parallel to the proximodistal axis of the second appendage.
- the at least one appendage is a first leg and a second leg.
- the first leg is rotatably coupled to the hip portion and includes a resilient member and the second leg is pivotally coupled to the hip portion but does not include a resilient member.
- the second leg is pivotally coupled to the torso via a friction fit ball joint configured to both allow the appendage to spherically rotate about the joint and provide the toy figure with posability.
- only the first leg includes a resilient member.
- a toy action figure comprising a head pivotally coupled to the torso, while in a further embodiment, the resilient member of toy action figure is selected from the group consisting of a torsion spring, a torsion bar, a coil spring, an elastic binder, derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof.
- the resilient member is configured to bias at least a portion of the toy figure in a rest position. In other embodiments, the resilient member is configured to bias the hip portion in a substantially forward facing position.
- a toy figure in another embodiment, includes a torso, at least one appendage having a first portion pivotally coupled to a second portion, the appendage coupled to the torso, and a resilient member disposed within the at least one appendage.
- the resilient member is oriented substantially parallel to the proximodistal axis of the at least one appendage.
- the resilient member is configured to bias at least a portion of the at least one appendage in a rest position.
- the resilient member is a first resilient member disposed within a first appendage and the toy figure further includes a second resilient member within the first appendage.
- the first resilient member biases the first portion of the first appendage in a rest position with respect to the second portion of the first appendage and the second resilient member biases the first appendage in a rest position with respect to the first portion of the first appendage.
- FIG. 1 provides an exploded front perspective view of a toy action figure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 provides a partially disassembled rear perspective view of the toy action figure of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 3 provides a partially disassembled rear perspective view of a toy action figure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 4 provides a front perspective view of a toy action figure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 5 provides a side perspective view of the toy action figure of FIG. 4 .
- an action or toy FIG. 10 may include a torso 12 , a head 14 (See FIGS. 3-5 ), and at least one appendage 16 . Additionally or alternatively, an action FIG. 10 may also include hips or a hip portion 15 which may be configured to act as a joint between the torso 12 and at least one appendage 16 .
- the torso 12 , head 14 , hips 15 , and at least one appendage 16 may include any suitable structure, appearance, and/or ornamentation to resemble a body, a head, and/or limbs of any suitable person(s), animal(s), and/or other figure(s).
- the action FIG. 10 may be configured to resemble a wrestling character.
- the at least one appendage 16 and head 14 may be pivotally coupled to the torso 12 , such that any portion or combination thereof may pivot, rotate, or articulate with respect to torso 12 .
- the at least one appendage 16 may be pivotally, rotatably or otherwise movably coupled to the hips 15 , which may, in turn, be movably coupled to the torso 12 .
- the at least one appendage 16 may be coupled to torso 12 via hips 15 .
- hips 15 may be coupled to torso 12 via a T-joint 13 which permits 180 degree movement, such that hips 15 provide additional range or types of motion.
- the head 14 may be pivotally or rotatably connected to the torso 12 to allow selective rotation of the head 14 relative to the torso 12 .
- appendage(s) 16 may be pivotally or rotatably connected to the torso 12 to allow for selective rotation of the appendage(s) 16 relative to the torso 12 .
- the head 14 and additional appendage(s) 16 are shown to be pivotally connected to the body, the head and/or the appendage(s) 16 may be connected in any other suitable way, including slidingly connected.
- the head 14 , additional appendage(s) 16 , or some combination thereof may be fixedly connected to the torso 12 by any suitable means.
- FIGS. 1 through 3 provide partially disassembled or exploded views of toy action figures in accordance with multiple embodiments of the present invention.
- the at least one appendage 16 may be formed from two halves which may be adhered or coupled together in any desirable manner, such as a snap, push, or friction fit.
- the at least one appendage 16 is two legs and each of the legs is shown detached from the torso 12 and split in half.
- each of the at least one appendage 16 may have a proximal end 17 and a distal end 19 , such that the proximal end 17 is disposed closer to the torso 12 than the distal end 19 .
- the axis between the proximal end 17 and the distal end 19 may generally be referred to as the proximodistal axis 21 and may substantially bisect the at least one appendage 16 .
- the proximodistal axis 21 may also be substantially straight.
- the at least one appendage 16 is bent, curved, bendable, or otherwise not straight, as is the case in FIGS. 1-3 , the proximodistal axis 21 may turn, curve, or otherwise bend in order to substantially bisect the at least one appendage 16 .
- FIGS. 1-3 the partially exploded and disassembled views may show various inner components of the toy action figure in order to detail the mechanism(s) for resilient articulation of the toy action figure. More specifically, FIGS. 1-3 depict a pivot assembly 18 disposed at least partially within the at least one appendage 16 and configured to couple the at least one appendage 16 to the torso 12 in any desirable manner, such as fixedly, pivotally, or rotatably.
- the pivot assembly 18 may include a post 22 mounted within the at least one appendage 16 , a coupler 36 disposed at the proximal end of the post 22 (generally adjacent to the proximal end 17 of the at least one appendage 16 ), and a resilient member 20 disposed near the distal end of the post 22 . At least a portion of the pivot assembly 18 may be mounted within the at least one appendage 16 such that it is substantially parallel with the proximodistal axis 21 of the appendage 16 .
- the coupler 36 is configured to mate to a receiver 38 located within the action FIG. 10 .
- the receiver 38 may include a pivot receiving end 43 and a joint 45 , such that the receiver 38 may receive multiple appendages 16 .
- the receiver 38 may receive a first leg 28 (See FIGS. 3 and 4 ) at joint 45 and a second leg 30 at pivot receiving end 43 . Any of the at least one appendages 16 may be received in any desirable manner which allows the action FIG. 10 to function in accordance with the scope of the invention.
- the at least one appendages 16 may include two halves and the two halves of the at least one appendage 16 may be coupled together around joint 45 such that an articulated joint providing a friction fit is formed. Such a connection may be secured in any desirable manner, such as with a connector 47 (See FIG. 2 ). Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, pivot receiving end 43 may receive a pin or a cylindrical boss 11 included in hip portion 15 which may in turn provide a mounting point for coupler 36 of the pivot assembly 18 .
- the receiver 38 may be disposed in the lower or inferior end of the torso 12 , while in other embodiments, the receiver 38 may be disposed within hips 15 . In the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 1-3 , receiver 38 is disposed within hips 15 . Regardless of the position of receiver 38 , the at least one appendage 16 including pivot assembly 18 (i.e. second leg 30 of FIG. 3 ) may be coupled to receiver 38 in a substantially perpendicular position with respect to hips 15 such that the proximal end 17 of this appendage 16 (i.e. second leg 30 of FIG. 3 ) abuts hips 15 .
- the at least one appendage 16 including pivot assembly 18 i.e. second leg 30 of FIG. 3
- the at least one appendage 16 including pivot assembly 18 may be coupled to receiver 38 in a substantially perpendicular position with respect to hips 15 such that the proximal end 17 of this appendage 16 (i.e. second leg 30 of FIG. 3 ) abut
- Such a configuration may limit the movement of the appendage 16 including pivot assembly 18 (i.e. second leg 30 ) so that it may only articulate about its own proximodistal axis 21 .
- an appendage without a pivot assembly i.e. first leg 28 of FIG. 3
- leg 28 may be coupled to torso 12 , either directly or via hips 15 , with an articulated joint providing a friction fit.
- receiver 38 is configured to effectuate or facilitate resilient articulation of the at least one appendage 16 about the torso 12 in the midsagittal plane.
- resilient articulation may be effectuated by rotating the at least one appendage 16 without a pivot assembly 18 (i.e. first leg 28 ) away from its natural rest position, about the proximodistal axis 21 of the at least one appendage 16 including a pivot assembly 18 (i.e. second leg 30 ), and subsequently releasing the appendage without pivot assembly 18 (i.e. first leg 28 ).
- first leg 28 and second leg 30 articulation of first leg 28 in the midsagittal plane and about the proximodistal axis 21 of second leg 30 may rotate hips 15 (including receiver 38 ) in the same manner.
- the rotation of hips 15 and receiver 38 may cause at least a portion of the pivot assembly 18 (i.e. coupler 36 and post 22 ) included in second leg 30 to also rotate about the same axis (i.e. the proximodistal axis 21 of first leg 30 ), which may, in turn, transfer energy to resilient member 20 to be stored therein.
- rotating post 22 may cause the resilient member 20 to coil or tighten, effectively transferring energy to the resilient member which may be stored by resilient member 20 until the resilient member 20 is able to uncoil or untighten.
- the resilient member 20 may release any stored energy, such that once sufficient energy has been transferred to resilient member 20 , release of the second leg 30 , may effectuate the return of second leg 30 to its original rest position.
- release of the second leg 30 may cause pivot assembly 18 to rotate into a position in which the resilient member 20 is no longer coiled, tightened, or otherwise tensioned.
- resilient member 20 is coupled at one end to the at least one appendage and coupled at its other end to the pivot assembly 18 , such that rotation of the pivot assembly 18 causes the resilient member to tension and store energy.
- the resilient member 20 may be biased to a rest position, which may be a position in which the resilient member 20 is not tensioned and/or not storing energy.
- the resilient member 20 may bias the action FIG. 10 to a forward facing position, such that when resilient member 20 releases energy it returns action FIG. 10 to a forward facing position.
- the resilient member 20 may provide the resilient force necessary to effectuate articulation of any desirable appendage 16 , or a portion thereof, about the torso 12 .
- the resilient member 20 may be a torsion spring, as depicted in FIGS. 1-3 , but in different embodiments, any suitable resilient member or combination of resilient members may be incorporated to accomplish articulation of the appendage 16 , including, but limited to, a torsion bar, a coil spring, an elastic binder, derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof.
- FIGS. 4 and 5 provide perspective views of another embodiment of a toy action FIG. 10 in accordance with of the present invention.
- the action FIG. 10 comprises a torso 12 , a head 14 coupled to the torso 12 , and at least one appendage 16 coupled to the torso 10 and capable of resilient articulation.
- the torso 12 is coupled to four appendages 16 including a first arm 24 , a second arm 26 , a first leg 28 , and second leg 30 .
- Each of the appendages 16 may be pivotally or rotatably coupled or mounted to torso 12 , such that each of the first arm 24 , second arm 26 , first leg 28 , and second leg 30 are articulable with respect to the torso 12 .
- the second leg 30 may be fitted with a pivot assembly 18 for resilient articulation of the second leg 30 .
- each of the at least one appendages 16 may include two or more pivotally coupled members such as an upper member, medial member, and/or a lower member.
- the first leg 28 may include an upper leg 32 and a lower leg 34
- the second arm 26 may include an upper arm 40 and a lower arm 42 .
- Each portion of any of the at least one appendage(s) 16 may be coupled together in any desirable manner.
- upper leg 32 and lower leg 34 may simply be pivotally coupled together, but in other embodiments, a pivot assembly 18 may couple upper leg 32 to lower leg 34 .
- the pivot assembly 18 may be oriented substantially parallel with the proximodistal axis 21 of the upper leg 32 or lower leg 34 and configured to allow for resilient articulation of either portion about the other.
- pivot assembly 18 may be configured to allow for resilient articulate of the lower leg 34 about the proximodistal axis 21 of the upper leg 32 .
- the pivot assembly 18 may allow for resilient articulation of any desired appendage 16 , or portion thereof, in or about any desired proximodistal plane or axis 21 , respectively.
- the pivot assembly 18 may be utilized to resiliently connect sub-assemblies of an appendage 16 together.
- FIG. 5 a side view of the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 4 is shown.
- the first leg 28 is positioned perpendicular to the second leg 30 , such that the action FIG. 10 may enact a “roundhouse kick” motion when the pivot assembly 18 is engaged.
- leg 28 may be pivotally coupled to torso 12 via an articulated joint, which may provide a friction fit such that leg 28 may be moved to the perpendicular position seen in FIG. 5 and maintain this pose.
- an articulated joint may afford leg 28 posability.
- leg 30 is coupled to torso 12 via a pivot assembly 18 and is maintained in a substantially upright position.
- the pivot assembly allows for resilient articulation of the first leg 28 about the torso 12 in the midsagittal plane, such that the action FIG. 10 may execute various movements, such as a roundhouse kick.
- a user may grip the action FIG. 10 at leg 30 and, while maintaining leg 30 in a substantially fixed position, turn or twist at least a portion of the action FIG. 10 about the proximodistal axis 19 .
- a user may rotate torso 12 in accordance with directional arrow B, and articulable joints may ensure that any attached appendages 16 (including leg 28 ) rotate with torso 12 .
- at least one appendage 16 may be turned independently of the torso 12 .
- the resilient member 20 may tighten, coil or otherwise receive and store energy, as described above.
- the resilient member 20 may release any received energy, causing pivot assembly 18 to rotate the articulated portion of action FIG. 10 back towards a rest position in accordance with directional arrow A.
- resilient member 20 may move action FIG. 10 back to any position it was in prior to being rotated in accordance with directional arrow B (i.e. Its rest position).
- the action FIG. 10 may be configured to articulate about the proximodistal axis 21 in either direction A or B upon release (provided the action figure is rotated in the opposite direction prior to release).
- appendages 16 may include any number of suitable members, including a single member.
- the first arm 24 may be a single appendage without an upper member connecting to a lower member.
- the second arm 26 may include a first portion and a second portion such as upper arm 40 and lower arm 42 .
- the above-identified upper, medial, and lower members of an appendage may correspond to include thighs, legs, feet or arms, forearms, hands, however those members may include any suitable portion(s) of appendage(s).
- the toy FIG. 10 may be fabricated from any suitable material, or combination of materials, such as plastic, foamed plastic, wood, cardboard, pressed paper, metal, supple natural or synthetic materials including, but not limited to, cotton, elastomers, polyester, plastic, rubber, derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof.
- Suitable plastics may include high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polystyrene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), or the like.
- Suitable foamed plastics may include expanded or extruded polystyrene, expanded or extruded polypropylene, EVA foam, derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof.
- the resilient member 20 is defined herein as a bias member which expands/rotates (and recovers) in at least one axis, and may include, but is not limited to, a spring, a resilient plastic, memory foam, or a rubber.
- the resilient member 20 may be fabricated from any suitable material, or combinations of materials, such as supple natural or synthetic materials including, but not limited to, plastic, metal, elastomers, polyester, rubber, derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof.
- exemplary is used herein to describe an example or illustration. Any embodiment described herein as exemplary is not to be construed as a preferred or advantageous embodiment, but rather as one example or illustration of a possible embodiment of the invention. For example, many of the examples described herein are directed towards an exemplary embodiment which includes two legs, one of which may be resiliently articulated about the torso of a toy figure, but it is envisioned that any appendage or number of appendages may be articulated any portion of a toy figure.
- the majority of the elements can be formed of molded plastic.
- the elements can be formed of a material other than plastic provided that the material has sufficient strength for the component's intended function.
Abstract
A toy figure with articulating limb includes a torso and at least one appendage which is resiliently articulable about the toy figure. The at least one appendage is pivotally or rotatably coupled to the torso, and may also include a pivot assembly. At least one of the at least one appendages includes a resilient member which is biased to maintain the at least one appendage in a rest position and configured to return at least one appendage to a rest position if articulated away from this rest position.
Description
- This application claims priority to and is based on U.S. Patent Application No. 61/499,274, filed Jun. 21, 2011, entitled “Toy Figure with Articulating Limb,” Attorney Docket No. 1389.0340P/16877P, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
- The invention relates generally to toy action figures, and more specifically to a toy action figure having at least one movable limb for enacting various athletic movements, such as a leg kick or punch. Furthermore, the invention relates to a toy action figure which may comprise two or more moveable limbs to move in combination to enact various athletic movements.
- Toy action figures have become an extremely popular and well known play option for children and adults in the toy industry. Directed largely to young boys and collectors, these toy figures typically replicate male oriented heroes, villains, and the like. Most common themes include wrestlers, military, cartoon figures, warriors, or superheroes. Furthermore, the addition of life-like elements, including detailed sculpting and costumes have further enhanced the playability and collectability of these toy action figures.
- A majority of action figures are comprised of molded plastic bodies combined with a plurality of parts and components joined by a corresponding plurality of articulated joints. The overall effect is often intended to provide posing and/or movement similar to that performed by humans. Posability, that is to say the ability to maintain a particular body position, is usually obtained by providing a friction-fit at one or more of the multiple articulated joints. While the appearances and physical size, as well as other design properties, have been stressed and improved upon to provide greater cohesiveness with the life-size character depicted, the functionality of toy action figures has remained relatively unchanged and in need of enhancement and improvement.
- Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a toy action figure capable of mimicking movements and poses performed by the life-sized characters, while retaining or improving the aesthetic authenticity of the toy figure.
- In one embodiment, a toy action figure is provided which includes a torso, at least one appendage pivotally coupled to the torso, and a resilient member disposed within the at least one appendage. The resilient member is oriented substantially parallel to the proximodistal axis of the at least one appendage and configured to bias at least a portion of the toy figure in a rest position.
- In other embodiments, a toy figure includes a torso, a hip portion pivotally coupled to the torso, at least one appendage pivotally coupled to the hip portion, and a resilient member disposed within at least one of the at least one appendage. The resilient member may be oriented substantially parallel to the proximodistal axis of the at least one appendage. In some embodiments, the at least one appendage is pivotally coupled to the hip portion and the torso is rotatably coupled to the torso, such that the at least one appendage is pivotally coupled to the torso via the hips. In still other embodiments, the hip portion is coupled to the torso via a T-joint configured to allow 180 degree rotation of the hip portion with respect to the torso.
- In other embodiments, the toy figure includes only one resilient member. Alternatively, the resilient member is a first resilient member and the toy figure also includes a second resilient member configured within a second appendage wherein the resilient member is oriented substantially parallel to the proximodistal axis of the second appendage.
- In yet another embodiment, the at least one appendage is a first leg and a second leg. In some of these embodiments, the first leg is rotatably coupled to the hip portion and includes a resilient member and the second leg is pivotally coupled to the hip portion but does not include a resilient member. Still further, in other embodiments the second leg is pivotally coupled to the torso via a friction fit ball joint configured to both allow the appendage to spherically rotate about the joint and provide the toy figure with posability. In another embodiment, only the first leg includes a resilient member.
- In yet another embodiment, a toy action figure is provided comprising a head pivotally coupled to the torso, while in a further embodiment, the resilient member of toy action figure is selected from the group consisting of a torsion spring, a torsion bar, a coil spring, an elastic binder, derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof.
- In some embodiments, the resilient member is configured to bias at least a portion of the toy figure in a rest position. In other embodiments, the resilient member is configured to bias the hip portion in a substantially forward facing position.
- In another embodiment, a toy figure includes a torso, at least one appendage having a first portion pivotally coupled to a second portion, the appendage coupled to the torso, and a resilient member disposed within the at least one appendage. The resilient member is oriented substantially parallel to the proximodistal axis of the at least one appendage. In some of these embodiments, the resilient member is configured to bias at least a portion of the at least one appendage in a rest position. In other embodiments, the resilient member is a first resilient member disposed within a first appendage and the toy figure further includes a second resilient member within the first appendage. The first resilient member biases the first portion of the first appendage in a rest position with respect to the second portion of the first appendage and the second resilient member biases the first appendage in a rest position with respect to the first portion of the first appendage.
- Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be understood more readily after consideration of the Detailed Description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings
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FIG. 1 provides an exploded front perspective view of a toy action figure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 2 provides a partially disassembled rear perspective view of the toy action figure ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 3 provides a partially disassembled rear perspective view of a toy action figure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 4 provides a front perspective view of a toy action figure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 5 provides a side perspective view of the toy action figure ofFIG. 4 . - Referring generally to
FIGS. 1-5 , an action or toyFIG. 10 may include atorso 12, a head 14 (SeeFIGS. 3-5 ), and at least oneappendage 16. Additionally or alternatively, an actionFIG. 10 may also include hips or ahip portion 15 which may be configured to act as a joint between thetorso 12 and at least oneappendage 16. Thetorso 12,head 14,hips 15, and at least oneappendage 16 may include any suitable structure, appearance, and/or ornamentation to resemble a body, a head, and/or limbs of any suitable person(s), animal(s), and/or other figure(s). For example, the actionFIG. 10 may be configured to resemble a wrestling character. In some embodiments, the at least oneappendage 16 andhead 14 may be pivotally coupled to thetorso 12, such that any portion or combination thereof may pivot, rotate, or articulate with respect totorso 12. In other exemplary embodiments, the at least oneappendage 16 may be pivotally, rotatably or otherwise movably coupled to thehips 15, which may, in turn, be movably coupled to thetorso 12. In other words, the at least oneappendage 16 may be coupled totorso 12 viahips 15. In exemplary embodiments depicted inFIGS. 1-3 ,hips 15 may be coupled totorso 12 via a T-joint 13 which permits 180 degree movement, such thathips 15 provide additional range or types of motion. - Further to
FIGS. 1 through 3 , thehead 14 may be pivotally or rotatably connected to thetorso 12 to allow selective rotation of thehead 14 relative to thetorso 12. Additionally, or alternatively, appendage(s) 16 may be pivotally or rotatably connected to thetorso 12 to allow for selective rotation of the appendage(s) 16 relative to thetorso 12. Although thehead 14 and additional appendage(s) 16 are shown to be pivotally connected to the body, the head and/or the appendage(s) 16 may be connected in any other suitable way, including slidingly connected. In further embodiments, thehead 14, additional appendage(s) 16, or some combination thereof may be fixedly connected to thetorso 12 by any suitable means. -
FIGS. 1 through 3 provide partially disassembled or exploded views of toy action figures in accordance with multiple embodiments of the present invention. In some embodiments, the at least oneappendage 16 may be formed from two halves which may be adhered or coupled together in any desirable manner, such as a snap, push, or friction fit. For example, inFIGS. 1-2 , the at least oneappendage 16 is two legs and each of the legs is shown detached from thetorso 12 and split in half. Regardless of the type of appendage, each of the at least oneappendage 16 may have aproximal end 17 and adistal end 19, such that theproximal end 17 is disposed closer to thetorso 12 than thedistal end 19. The axis between theproximal end 17 and thedistal end 19 may generally be referred to as theproximodistal axis 21 and may substantially bisect the at least oneappendage 16. Thus, if the at least oneappendage 16 is substantially straight, theproximodistal axis 21 may also be substantially straight. However, if instead, the at least oneappendage 16 is bent, curved, bendable, or otherwise not straight, as is the case inFIGS. 1-3 , theproximodistal axis 21 may turn, curve, or otherwise bend in order to substantially bisect the at least oneappendage 16. - Still referring generally to
FIGS. 1-3 , the partially exploded and disassembled views may show various inner components of the toy action figure in order to detail the mechanism(s) for resilient articulation of the toy action figure. More specifically,FIGS. 1-3 depict apivot assembly 18 disposed at least partially within the at least oneappendage 16 and configured to couple the at least oneappendage 16 to thetorso 12 in any desirable manner, such as fixedly, pivotally, or rotatably. Thepivot assembly 18 may include apost 22 mounted within the at least oneappendage 16, acoupler 36 disposed at the proximal end of the post 22 (generally adjacent to theproximal end 17 of the at least one appendage 16), and aresilient member 20 disposed near the distal end of thepost 22. At least a portion of thepivot assembly 18 may be mounted within the at least oneappendage 16 such that it is substantially parallel with theproximodistal axis 21 of theappendage 16. - As seen best in
FIG. 2 , thecoupler 36 is configured to mate to areceiver 38 located within the actionFIG. 10 . Thereceiver 38 may include apivot receiving end 43 and a joint 45, such that thereceiver 38 may receivemultiple appendages 16. For example, inFIGS. 1-3 , thereceiver 38 may receive a first leg 28 (SeeFIGS. 3 and 4 ) at joint 45 and asecond leg 30 atpivot receiving end 43. Any of the at least oneappendages 16 may be received in any desirable manner which allows the actionFIG. 10 to function in accordance with the scope of the invention. In some embodiments, the at least oneappendages 16 may include two halves and the two halves of the at least oneappendage 16 may be coupled together around joint 45 such that an articulated joint providing a friction fit is formed. Such a connection may be secured in any desirable manner, such as with a connector 47 (SeeFIG. 2 ). Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments,pivot receiving end 43 may receive a pin or acylindrical boss 11 included inhip portion 15 which may in turn provide a mounting point forcoupler 36 of thepivot assembly 18. - In some embodiments, and as depicted in
FIGS. 2-3 , thereceiver 38 may be disposed in the lower or inferior end of thetorso 12, while in other embodiments, thereceiver 38 may be disposed withinhips 15. In the embodiments depicted inFIGS. 1-3 ,receiver 38 is disposed withinhips 15. Regardless of the position ofreceiver 38, the at least oneappendage 16 including pivot assembly 18 (i.e.second leg 30 ofFIG. 3 ) may be coupled toreceiver 38 in a substantially perpendicular position with respect tohips 15 such that theproximal end 17 of this appendage 16 (i.e.second leg 30 ofFIG. 3 ) abutships 15. Such a configuration may limit the movement of theappendage 16 including pivot assembly 18 (i.e. second leg 30) so that it may only articulate about its ownproximodistal axis 21. Meanwhile, an appendage without a pivot assembly (i.e.first leg 28 ofFIG. 3 ) may be coupled to thetorso 12 in a manner which allows it to freely rotate about the spherical area defined by the opening intorso 12 where the at least one appendage is received. For example,leg 28 may be coupled totorso 12, either directly or viahips 15, with an articulated joint providing a friction fit. - Still referring to
FIGS. 1-3 , but with additional reference toFIGS. 4-5 ,receiver 38 is configured to effectuate or facilitate resilient articulation of the at least oneappendage 16 about thetorso 12 in the midsagittal plane. For example, with reference toFIG. 3 and the exemplary embodiment described in the previous paragraph, resilient articulation may be effectuated by rotating the at least oneappendage 16 without a pivot assembly 18 (i.e. first leg 28) away from its natural rest position, about theproximodistal axis 21 of the at least oneappendage 16 including a pivot assembly 18 (i.e. second leg 30), and subsequently releasing the appendage without pivot assembly 18 (i.e. first leg 28). - More specifically, and with continued reference to the exemplary embodiment of
FIG. 3 includingfirst leg 28 andsecond leg 30, articulation offirst leg 28 in the midsagittal plane and about theproximodistal axis 21 ofsecond leg 30 may rotate hips 15 (including receiver 38) in the same manner. The rotation ofhips 15 andreceiver 38 may cause at least a portion of the pivot assembly 18 (i.e. coupler 36 and post 22) included insecond leg 30 to also rotate about the same axis (i.e. theproximodistal axis 21 of first leg 30), which may, in turn, transfer energy toresilient member 20 to be stored therein. For example, rotatingpost 22 may cause theresilient member 20 to coil or tighten, effectively transferring energy to the resilient member which may be stored byresilient member 20 until theresilient member 20 is able to uncoil or untighten. Upon release of thesecond leg 30, theresilient member 20 may release any stored energy, such that once sufficient energy has been transferred toresilient member 20, release of thesecond leg 30, may effectuate the return ofsecond leg 30 to its original rest position. In other words, release of thesecond leg 30 may causepivot assembly 18 to rotate into a position in which theresilient member 20 is no longer coiled, tightened, or otherwise tensioned. - Still referring to
FIGS. 1-3 ,resilient member 20 is coupled at one end to the at least one appendage and coupled at its other end to thepivot assembly 18, such that rotation of thepivot assembly 18 causes the resilient member to tension and store energy. Theresilient member 20 may be biased to a rest position, which may be a position in which theresilient member 20 is not tensioned and/or not storing energy. For example, theresilient member 20 may bias the actionFIG. 10 to a forward facing position, such that whenresilient member 20 releases energy it returns actionFIG. 10 to a forward facing position. Theresilient member 20 may provide the resilient force necessary to effectuate articulation of anydesirable appendage 16, or a portion thereof, about thetorso 12. Theresilient member 20 may be a torsion spring, as depicted inFIGS. 1-3 , but in different embodiments, any suitable resilient member or combination of resilient members may be incorporated to accomplish articulation of theappendage 16, including, but limited to, a torsion bar, a coil spring, an elastic binder, derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof. -
FIGS. 4 and 5 provide perspective views of another embodiment of a toy actionFIG. 10 in accordance with of the present invention. Similar toFIGS. 1-3 , the actionFIG. 10 comprises atorso 12, ahead 14 coupled to thetorso 12, and at least oneappendage 16 coupled to thetorso 10 and capable of resilient articulation. In this particular embodiment, thetorso 12 is coupled to fourappendages 16 including afirst arm 24, asecond arm 26, afirst leg 28, andsecond leg 30. Each of theappendages 16 may be pivotally or rotatably coupled or mounted totorso 12, such that each of thefirst arm 24,second arm 26,first leg 28, andsecond leg 30 are articulable with respect to thetorso 12. Additionally, in this particular embodiment, thesecond leg 30 may be fitted with apivot assembly 18 for resilient articulation of thesecond leg 30. - Referring specifically to
FIG. 4 , with additional reference toFIG. 5 , each of the at least oneappendages 16 may include two or more pivotally coupled members such as an upper member, medial member, and/or a lower member. For example, thefirst leg 28 may include anupper leg 32 and alower leg 34, while thesecond arm 26 may include anupper arm 40 and alower arm 42. Each portion of any of the at least one appendage(s) 16 may be coupled together in any desirable manner. In some embodiments,upper leg 32 andlower leg 34 may simply be pivotally coupled together, but in other embodiments, apivot assembly 18 may coupleupper leg 32 tolower leg 34. Thepivot assembly 18 may be oriented substantially parallel with theproximodistal axis 21 of theupper leg 32 orlower leg 34 and configured to allow for resilient articulation of either portion about the other. For example,pivot assembly 18 may be configured to allow for resilient articulate of thelower leg 34 about theproximodistal axis 21 of theupper leg 32. In alternate embodiments, thepivot assembly 18 may allow for resilient articulation of any desiredappendage 16, or portion thereof, in or about any desired proximodistal plane oraxis 21, respectively. Additionally, thepivot assembly 18 may be utilized to resiliently connect sub-assemblies of anappendage 16 together. - Now referring to
FIG. 5 , a side view of the exemplary embodiment depicted inFIG. 4 is shown. InFIG. 5 , thefirst leg 28 is positioned perpendicular to thesecond leg 30, such that the actionFIG. 10 may enact a “roundhouse kick” motion when thepivot assembly 18 is engaged. More specifically,leg 28 may be pivotally coupled totorso 12 via an articulated joint, which may provide a friction fit such thatleg 28 may be moved to the perpendicular position seen inFIG. 5 and maintain this pose. In other words, an articulated joint may affordleg 28 posability. In contrast, in the embodiment depicted inFIG. 5 ,leg 30 is coupled totorso 12 via apivot assembly 18 and is maintained in a substantially upright position. As detailed above, the pivot assembly allows for resilient articulation of thefirst leg 28 about thetorso 12 in the midsagittal plane, such that the actionFIG. 10 may execute various movements, such as a roundhouse kick. - In order to operate the action
FIG. 10 , a user may grip the actionFIG. 10 atleg 30 and, while maintainingleg 30 in a substantially fixed position, turn or twist at least a portion of the actionFIG. 10 about theproximodistal axis 19. In some embodiments, a user may rotatetorso 12 in accordance with directional arrow B, and articulable joints may ensure that any attached appendages 16 (including leg 28) rotate withtorso 12. In other embodiments, at least oneappendage 16 may be turned independently of thetorso 12. As a portion of the actionFIG. 10 is articulated about theproximodistal axis 21 in accordance with directional arrow B (while keepingleg 30 fixed), theresilient member 20 may tighten, coil or otherwise receive and store energy, as described above. Thus, once the articulated portion of actionFIG. 10 is released, theresilient member 20 may release any received energy, causingpivot assembly 18 to rotate the articulated portion of actionFIG. 10 back towards a rest position in accordance with directional arrow A. Thus,resilient member 20 may move actionFIG. 10 back to any position it was in prior to being rotated in accordance with directional arrow B (i.e. Its rest position). Although the operation of actionFIG. 10 has been described in accordance with certain directions of rotation, the actionFIG. 10 may be configured to articulate about theproximodistal axis 21 in either direction A or B upon release (provided the action figure is rotated in the opposite direction prior to release). - Although
FIGS. 4 and 5 are shown to include upper and lower members for all fourappendages 16,appendages 16 may include any number of suitable members, including a single member. For example, thefirst arm 24 may be a single appendage without an upper member connecting to a lower member. Alternatively, thesecond arm 26 may include a first portion and a second portion such asupper arm 40 andlower arm 42. Further, the above-identified upper, medial, and lower members of an appendage may correspond to include thighs, legs, feet or arms, forearms, hands, however those members may include any suitable portion(s) of appendage(s). - The toy
FIG. 10 may be fabricated from any suitable material, or combination of materials, such as plastic, foamed plastic, wood, cardboard, pressed paper, metal, supple natural or synthetic materials including, but not limited to, cotton, elastomers, polyester, plastic, rubber, derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof. Suitable plastics may include high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polystyrene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), or the like. Suitable foamed plastics may include expanded or extruded polystyrene, expanded or extruded polypropylene, EVA foam, derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof. - The
resilient member 20 is defined herein as a bias member which expands/rotates (and recovers) in at least one axis, and may include, but is not limited to, a spring, a resilient plastic, memory foam, or a rubber. Theresilient member 20 may be fabricated from any suitable material, or combinations of materials, such as supple natural or synthetic materials including, but not limited to, plastic, metal, elastomers, polyester, rubber, derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof. - It is believed that the disclosure set forth above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in a preferred form, the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed herein. Also, where any description recites “a” or “a first” element or the equivalent thereof, such disclosure should be understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.
- Additionally, the term “exemplary” is used herein to describe an example or illustration. Any embodiment described herein as exemplary is not to be construed as a preferred or advantageous embodiment, but rather as one example or illustration of a possible embodiment of the invention. For example, many of the examples described herein are directed towards an exemplary embodiment which includes two legs, one of which may be resiliently articulated about the torso of a toy figure, but it is envisioned that any appendage or number of appendages may be articulated any portion of a toy figure.
- While the invention has been described in detail and with references 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 of the invention. 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, the majority of the elements can be formed of molded plastic. However, in alternative embodiments, the elements can be formed of a material other than plastic provided that the material has sufficient strength for the component's intended function.
Claims (21)
1. A toy figure comprising:
a torso;
at least one appendage pivotally coupled to the torso, the at least one appendage having a proximodistal axis; and
a resilient member disposed within the at least one appendage, wherein the resilient member is oriented substantially parallel to the proximodistal axis of the at least one appendage and configured to bias at least a portion of the toy figure in a rest position.
2. The toy figure of claim 1 , wherein the toy figure includes only one resilient member.
3. The toy figure of claim 1 , wherein the resilient member is a first resilient member and the toy figure further comprises:
a second resilient member configured within a second appendage, the second appendage having a proximodistal axis, wherein the second resilient member is oriented substantially parallel to the proximodistal axis of the second appendage.
4. The toy figure of claim 1 , further comprising:
a hip portion, wherein the at least one appendage is pivotally coupled to the hip portion and the torso is rotatably coupled to the hip portion, such that the at least one appendage is pivotally coupled to the torso via the hip portion.
5. The toy figure of claim 4 , wherein the hip portion is coupled to the torso via a T-joint configured to allow 180 degree rotation of the hip portion with respect to the torso.
6. The toy figure of claim 4 , wherein the at least one appendage includes a first leg and a second leg.
7. The toy figure of claim 6 , wherein the first leg is rotatably coupled to the hip portion and includes a resilient member, and the second leg is pivotally coupled to the hip portion but does not include a resilient member.
8. The toy figure of claim 7 , wherein the second leg is pivotally coupled to the torso via a friction fit ball joint configured to both allow the second leg to rotate spherically about the joint and provide the toy figure with posability.
9. The toy figure of claim 1 , wherein the resilient member is one of a torsion spring, a torsion bar, a coil spring, or an elastic binder.
10. A toy figure comprising:
a torso;
a hip portion pivotally coupled to the torso;
at least one appendage pivotally coupled to the hip portion; and
a resilient member disposed within at least one of the at least one appendage, wherein the resilient member is oriented substantially parallel to the proximodistal axis of the at least one appendage.
11. The toy figure of claim 10 , wherein the resilient member is configured to bias at least a portion of the toy figure toward a rest position.
12. (canceled)
12. The toy figure of claim 10 , wherein the hip portion is coupled to the torso via a T-joint configured to allow 180 degree rotation of the hip portion with respect to the torso.
13. The toy figure of claim 10 , wherein the at least one appendage comprises:
a first leg rotatably coupled to the hip portion; and
a second leg pivotally coupled to the hip portion.
14. The toy figure of claim 13 , wherein only the first leg includes a resilient member.
15. The toy figure of claim 10 , wherein the resilient member is one of a torsion spring, a torsion bar, a coil spring, and an elastic binder.
16. The toy figure of claim 10 , wherein the resilient member is a first resilient member and the toy figure further comprises:
a second resilient member configured within a second appendage, the second appendage having a proximodistal axis, wherein the second resilient member is oriented substantially parallel to the proximodistal axis of the second appendage.
17. A toy figure comprising:
a torso;
at least one appendage coupled to the torso and having an first portion pivotally coupled to a second portion; and
a resilient member disposed within the at least one appendage, wherein the resilient member is oriented substantially parallel to the proximodistal axis of the at least one appendage.
18. The toy figure of claim 17 , wherein the resilient member is configured to bias at least a portion of the at least one appendage in a rest position.
19. The toy figure of claim 17 , further comprising:
a hip portion, wherein the at least one appendage is pivotally coupled to the hip portion and the torso is rotatably coupled to the hip portion, such that the at least one appendage is pivotally coupled to the torso via the hip portion.
20. The toy figure of claim 17 , wherein the resilient member is a first resilient member disposed within a first appendage, and the toy figure further includes:
a second resilient member within the first appendage, wherein the first resilient member biases the first portion of the first appendage in a rest position with respect to the second portion of the first appendage and the second resilient member biases the first appendage in a rest position with respect to the torso.
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US201161499274P | 2011-06-21 | 2011-06-21 | |
US13/495,584 US20120329363A1 (en) | 2011-06-21 | 2012-06-13 | Toy Figure with Articulating Limb |
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US9707487B2 (en) | 2015-11-20 | 2017-07-18 | Mattel, Inc. | Toy figurines with spin kick mechanism |
US10427061B2 (en) | 2017-05-19 | 2019-10-01 | Genncomm, Llc | Plush stuffed with molded or sculpted foam |
CN113559523A (en) * | 2020-07-03 | 2021-10-29 | 株式会社万代 | Toy component, joint mechanism, human-shaped toy, and decorative component |
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JP6030615B2 (en) * | 2014-10-10 | 2016-11-24 | 株式会社バンダイ | Doll toy shoulder joint structure and doll toy |
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2012
- 2012-06-12 GB GB1210299.2A patent/GB2492209B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2012-06-13 US US13/495,584 patent/US20120329363A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2012-06-13 DE DE102012105124.0A patent/DE102012105124B4/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2012-06-18 FR FR1255690A patent/FR2976817A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2012-06-19 MX MX2012007177A patent/MX2012007177A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2012-06-19 BR BR102012015191-0A patent/BR102012015191A2/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2012-06-21 CA CA2780616A patent/CA2780616A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2012-06-21 CN CN2012103274771A patent/CN103111075A/en active Pending
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Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US9707487B2 (en) | 2015-11-20 | 2017-07-18 | Mattel, Inc. | Toy figurines with spin kick mechanism |
US10427061B2 (en) | 2017-05-19 | 2019-10-01 | Genncomm, Llc | Plush stuffed with molded or sculpted foam |
US10596475B2 (en) * | 2017-05-19 | 2020-03-24 | Genncomm, Llc | Plush stuffed with molded or sculpted foam |
US11311814B2 (en) | 2017-05-19 | 2022-04-26 | Genncomm Llc | Plush stuffed with molded or sculpted foam |
CN113559523A (en) * | 2020-07-03 | 2021-10-29 | 株式会社万代 | Toy component, joint mechanism, human-shaped toy, and decorative component |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CA2780616A1 (en) | 2012-12-21 |
GB2492209A (en) | 2012-12-26 |
DE102012105124B4 (en) | 2016-03-17 |
CN103111075A (en) | 2013-05-22 |
MX2012007177A (en) | 2012-12-20 |
FR2976817A1 (en) | 2012-12-28 |
GB2492209B (en) | 2014-02-12 |
GB201210299D0 (en) | 2012-07-25 |
DE102012105124A1 (en) | 2012-12-27 |
BR102012015191A2 (en) | 2014-08-12 |
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Legal Events
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Owner name: MATTEL, INC., CALIFORNIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:BARTHOLD, MARK;WEIL, AARON;REEL/FRAME:028635/0215 Effective date: 20120723 |
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STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |