TOY FIGURE HAVING RECONFIGURABLE PORTIONS AND METHODS OF USING THE SAME
A toy figure and associated method of use is disclosed, and comprises a body portion and at least one appendage extending from the body portion. The body portion comprises a resilient portion so that a user can apply a force to cause the toy figure to transition from an unstressed condition to an actuated condition. The resilient portion is configured to return the toy figure to the unstressed condition under an inherent restorative force. The at least one appendage comprises a reconfigurable portion that includes at least two movable segments so that at least a portion of the at least one appendage can transition between a collapsed and an expanded condition. The at least a portion of the at least one appendage configured to maintain one of the first condition and the second condition until deliberately reconfigured by a user.
The present application claims the priority and benefit of each of Australian Innovation Patent Application No. 2013100034, filed on Jan. 14, 2013 and granted on Jan. 24, 2013, and Australian Innovation Patent Application No. 2013101270, filed on Sep. 24, 2013 and granted on Oct. 10, 2013, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
FIELDThe present invention generally relates to a toy figure having at least one reconfigurable portion and at least one resilient portion. In embodiments, the present invention relates to a toy figure having at least one portion that can be reconfigured between a first, compressed condition and a second expanded condition, and can be maintained in either condition.
BACKGROUNDIt has been a goal in the field of toy figures, for example, action figures, dolls, figurines, models, and the like, to improve on prior configurations of toy figures by providing additional and/or alternative features to increase the play value of the toy figure for users, for example, children. Increased play value may be associated with, for example, new interactive features of the toy figure, a different number and/or combination of interactive features of a toy figure, and/or any other features that provide a user with an increased number of modalities of play.
For example, some toy figures are rigid and/or generally not conducive for movement from an initial pose or configuration, which may limit the play value of the toy figure. In response, some toy figures include one or more portions, for example, appendages such as arms and legs, that are reconfigurable in a manner such that the appendages can be moved into different positions. However, such configurations may require a user to manually reconfigure the toy figure before resuming the play activity, creating a pause and/or distraction in play activity. Accordingly, while such reconfigurations may provide a toy figure with more than one configuration in which to engage in a play activity, the user may be inhibited from enjoying the transition between configurations as they effect this reconfiguration. Further, such toy figures may provide a limited number of reconfigurations for a user due to, for example, a limited number of movable portions and/or a limited range of motion of the appendages so that a user may engage with the toy figure in a finite number of fixed configurations before, for example, becoming bored with such modalities of play.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a toy figure that is reconfigurable among a variety of configurations and capable of transitioning between different configurations without continuous engagement by a user. It would further be desirable to provide such a toy figure that may be interactive with a plurality of different physical environments such that the toy figure can be utilized in a plurality of modalities of play.
SUMMARYAccording to an exemplary embodiment, a toy figure comprises a body portion and at least one appendage extending from the body portion. The body portion comprises a resilient portion so that a user can apply a force to cause the toy figure to transition from an unstressed condition to an actuated condition. The resilient portion is configured to return the toy figure to the unstressed condition under an inherent restorative force. The at least one appendage comprises a reconfigurable portion that includes at least two movable segments so that at least a portion of the at least one appendage can transition between a collapsed and an expanded condition. The at least a portion of the at least one appendage configured to maintain one of the first condition and the second condition until deliberately reconfigured by a user.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one appendage comprises a pair of arms and a pair of legs.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one appendage includes a coupling portion disposed on an end of the reconfigurable portion.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the coupling portion includes a recess formed therein.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the recess is configured to receive a protrusion extending from a surface of a game platform.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the recess is configured to receive a protrusion extending from an accessory.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the coupling portion includes an engagement feature disposed along an exterior portion thereof.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the engagement feature has one of a hooked or looped surface configuration.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the engagement feature is configured to interengage another surface having the other of the hooked and looped configuration.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least two movable segments each include a base and a connective portion, the connective portion configured to move into an at least partial overlap with the base.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the resilient portion comprises a body stem interconnecting an upper body and a lower body of the body portion.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the body stem defines a spring constant.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the body stem has an axially resilient configuration.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the body stem has a torsionally resilient configuration.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, when the body stem transitions from the unstressed condition to the actuated condition, the body stem stores potential energy.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a toy figure comprises at least one reconfigurable member and a building accessory. The at least one reconfigurable member has a reconfigurable portion disposed between a pair of coupling portions configured to interengage a game platform. The reconfigurable portion includes at least two movable segments so that the reconfigurable member can transition from a first, collapsed condition to a second, expanded condition. The building accessory is configured to be releasably coupled with at least one coupling portion of the pair of coupling portions of the at least one reconfigurable member. The building accessory can be moved to a variable height with respect to a game platform as the at least one reconfigurable member transitions from the first configuration to the second configuration.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one of the coupling members of the at least one reconfigurable member includes a recess configured to receive a protrusion extending from the building accessory.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one of the coupling members of the at least one reconfigurable member includes a recess configured to receive a protrusion on a surface of the game platform.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the building accessory is one of a group comprising: a bench, a patio, a room, and a platform.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of play with a toy figure comprises: (a) providing a toy figure comprising: a body portion with an upper body and a lower body connected by a resilient stem; and at least one appendage extending from the body portion, the at least one appendage comprising a reconfigurable portion with at least a pair of movable segments; (b) expanding or contracting the reconfigurable portion of the at least one appendage by applying a force to the at least a pair of segments of the at least one appendage; and (c) releasing the at least one appendage so that the reconfigurable portion remains in an expanded or contracted condition.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the method further comprises the step of coupling an accessory with the at least one appendage.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the method further comprises the step of coupling the at least one appendage with a platform so that the toy figure is supported in a substantially upright condition.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of play with a toy figure comprises: (a) providing a toy figure comprising: a body portion with an upper body and a lower body connected by a resilient stem; and at least a pair of appendages extending from the body portion, each appendage comprising a reconfigurable portion with at least a pair of movable segments; (b) coupling a first accessory with one appendage of the at least a pair of appendages; (c) coupling a second accessory with another one appendage of the at least a pair of appendages; (d) exerting a bending or twisting force on the toy figure so that the resilient stem is deformed to store potential energy; and (e) releasing the toy figure so that the resilient stem converts potential energy into kinetic energy to cause movement of the toy figure.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the method further comprises the step of expanding or contracting the reconfigurable portion of at least one appendage by applying a force to the at least a pair of segments of the at least one appendage.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the method further comprises the step of releasing the at least one appendage so that the reconfigurable portion remains in an expanded or contracted condition.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the step of coupling the first accessory includes releasably coupling the first accessory with the one appendage so that movement of the toy figure can cause the first accessory to disengage from the one appendage.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the step of coupling the first accessory includes providing the first accessory being a ball.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the step of coupling the second accessory includes providing the first accessory being a bat.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the method further comprises the step of coupling at least one appendage of the at least a pair of appendages with a platform so that the toy figure is supported in a substantially upright condition.
The features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood with reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein:
FIG. 10AA is a front view of another exemplary embodiment of an accessory for use with the toy figure of
FIG. 10BB is a front view of another exemplary embodiment of an accessory for use with the toy figure of
FIG. 10CC is a front view of another exemplary embodiment of an accessory for use with the toy figure of
The present invention is generally directed toward a toy figure and associated methods of use. In embodiments, the present invention generally relates to a toy figure(s) and/or method of using the same comprising a toy figure having one or more portions that are reconfigurable from a first, collapsed condition, to a second, expanded condition in a manner such that the toy figure can be maintained in either the first condition or the second condition. In embodiments, the present invention may relate to a toy figure that includes one or more resilient portions such that the toy figure can be actuated to transition between different conditions without continuous engagement by a user.
The presently disclosed toy figures includes one or more reconfigurable portions that are capable of expansion and contraction between their original length and a length different than their original length, as well as deformation into a plurality of shapes and/or orientations. Another advantage of the presently disclosed toy figures is that one or more resilient portions of the toy figures may cause the figure to return from an actuated condition to an initial, unstressed condition without continuous engagement by a user.
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Body portion 10 includes an upper body 12 and a lower body 14 connected by a body stem 13 therebetween. Upper body 12 and lower body 14, respectively, may have substantially rectangular box-shaped and Y-shaped configurations as shown, or in embodiments, may have different configurations than those shown. Each of arms 20 may be coupled with upper body 12 by an arm stem 22 and head 40 may be coupled with upper body 14 by a neck stem 42. Each of legs 30 may be coupled with lower body 14 by a leg stem 32. Stems 13, 22, 32, 42 may be monolithically formed with respective upper body 12 and lower body 14, arms 20 and upper body 12, legs 30 and lower body 14, and head 40 and upper body 12. Stems 13, 32, 42 may be an elongate circular member so that stems 13, 32, 42 have a generally cylindrical profile. In embodiments, stems 13, 32, 42 may have a solid configuration therealong, or may be hollow such that stems 13, 32, 42 have a generally tubular profile. In embodiments, stems 13, 32, 42 may have any desirable configuration.
Each of stems 13, 22, 32, 42 have a flexible configuration so that upper body 12, lower body 14, arms 20, legs 30, and head 40 are movable relative to each other. In embodiments, any of stems 13, 22, 32, 42 may be formed from one or more materials that are inherently axially and torsionally flexible, for example polymeric materials, composite materials, and/or metallic materials. In embodiments, any of stems 13, 22, 32, 42 may be formed at least partially from a polymeric material such as low-density polyethylene (LDPE) or linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE).
At least body stem 13 is formed of a material and/or by a process such that body stem 13 has an axially and torsionally resilient configuration so that body stem 13 can be deformed from an initial resting or unstressed condition by stretching, compressing, bending, and/or twisting, and tends to return toward the resting condition under an inherent restorative force. In this manner, body stem 13 defines a spring constant such that body stem 13 can store and release potential energy upon an external force applied thereto. In embodiments, arm stems 22, leg stems 32 and/or neck stem 42 may also have a resilient configuration. In embodiments, stems 13, 22, 32, and 42 may have substantially similar configurations, or may have different configurations. In embodiments, any of stems 13, 22, 32, and 42 may have a substantially tubular configuration as shown, or may have another configuration, such as a coil.
In this manner, at least body stem 13 provides a resilient portion of toy
Head 40, as shown, may be a generally spherical member coupled with neck stem 42. In embodiments, head 40 may include additional features, for example, facial features, hair, and/or accessories as described further herein.
Each of arms 20 is a hollow tubular member that includes a reconfigurable portion 24 and a coupling portion 26 extending therefrom. Reconfigurable portion 24 comprises a plurality of segments 25 disposed adjacent one another, and shown in a first, collapsed condition with a length LA1. Each of segments 25 has the profile of a conic section, and is movable relative to an adjacent segment 25. Each segment 25 includes a base portion 25a and a connective portion 25b (
Coupling portion 26 of each arm 20 includes a body 26a and a recess 26b (shown in phantom) formed within an outermost portion thereof. Recess 26b may be configured to receive another object so that toy
Similarly, each of legs 30 is a hollow tubular member that includes a reconfigurable portion 34 and a coupling portion 36 extending therefrom. Reconfigurable portion 34 comprises a plurality of segments 35 disposed adjacent one another, and shown in a first, collapsed condition LL1. Each of segments 35 may be a conic section, and is movable relative to an adjacent segment 35. Accordingly, each segment 35 includes a base portion 35a and a connective portion 35b (
Coupling portion 36 of each leg 30 includes a body 36a and a recess 36b (shown in phantom) formed within an outermost portion thereof. Recess 36b may be configured to receive another object so that toy
In embodiments, toy
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Each connective portion 25b, 35b of segments 25, 35 may move with respect to adjacent respective base portions 25a, 35a in a linear and/or radial fashion. Referring additionally to
Each of reconfigurable portions 24, 34 are configured to move between the collapsed condition and the expanded condition in response to an applied force. However, each reconfigurable portions 24, 34 are configured such that segments 35, 35 maintain their relative spacing in the absence of an applied force. In this manner, each of arms 20 and legs 30 may be partially or fully transitioned between the collapsed condition and the expanded condition and will remain in such a condition indefinitely in the absence of an applied force.
A user may transition toy
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Head 220 of toy
In this manner toy
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Head 320 of toy
Each of stem 314, neck 316, arms 330, legs 340, and tail 350 may have a similar configuration to either of arms 20 or legs 30 of toy
In this manner toy
It will be understood that a toy figure may be provided with features, such as flexible and/or resilient stems and/or appendages with reconfigurable portions and coupling portions similar to those described above with respect to toy figures 100, 200, and 300 in any alternative form, such as other human-form toy figures, other animals including land-dwelling or sea-dwelling animals or birds, extinct creatures such as dinosaurs, or fictional creatures such as dragons and unicorns, and extra-terrestrials, to name a few.
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Each of arms 420 and legs 430 includes a respective coupling portion 426, 436 extending from respective reconfigurable portions 24, 34. Coupling portions 426, 436 each include a body 426a, 436a and a recess 426b, 436b (shown in phantom) formed within an outermost portion thereof. Recesses 426b and 436b may be configured to interengage another object, as described further herein.
Coupling portions 426, 436 each also include an attachment feature 426c, 436c which may be releasably coupled with another surface. As shown, attachment features 426c, 436c are a layer of substrate, such as an adhesive tape, with a hook or loop-type exposed outer surface, such as Velcro® tape available from Velcro industries B.V. In this manner, the attachment features 426c, 436c are configured to releasably engage another surface, such as a complementary attachment feature of another arm 420 or leg 430 comprising an exposed outer surface of the other of hook or loop-type, or another suitable interengaging surface such as clothing or carpet. In this manner, toy
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Referring additionally to
In this manner, toy
It will be understood that toy figures 100, 200, and 300 described above, or another toy figure according to the present disclosure may be coupled with platform 450 or another platform in a similar manner as described with respect to toy
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As shown, accessories 460 and 470 each include a protrusion 462, 472 extending therefrom that is configured to be at least partially inserted into each recess 426c of respective arms 420. Accordingly, protrusions 462, 472 may have a substantially similar configuration to protrusions 452 of platform 450 such that accessories 460 and 470 may be coupled with arms 420 and legs 430 in a substantially secure manner. Accordingly, accessories 460 and 470 may also be coupled with either of legs 430 if desired. In embodiments, either of accessories 460, 470 may be provided with one or more recesses therein configured to receive a protrusion extending from one or more of arms and legs 420, 430 or toy
Turning to FIGS. 10C-10CC, a variety of accessories according to various exemplary embodiments for use with any of arms 420, legs 420, or any other portion of toy
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Turning to FIG. 10AA, an accessory 460aa may comprise a sword. Accessory 460v may be provided with a protrusion for coupling with a recess 426c of arms 420 or a recess 436c of legs 430 (not shown).
Turning to FIG. 10BB, an accessory 460bb may comprise a shield. Accessory 460bb may be provided with a protrusion for coupling with a recess 426c of arms 420 or a recess 436c of legs 430 (not shown).
Turning to FIG. 10CC, an accessory 460cc may comprise another type of shield. Accessory 460cc may be provided with a protrusion for coupling with a recess 426c of arms 420 or a recess 436c of legs 430 (not shown).
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In this manner, accessory 480 may travel in a direction D toward second toy
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In this manner, a user may apply a force to one or more toy figure having a resilient portion to cause the toy figure to move from an initial unstressed condition to a second actuated condition. The user may then disengage the toy figure so that the toy figure returns to the initial unstressed condition under an inherent restorative force of the resilient portion. The resilient portion of the toy figure thus allows the user to experience and enjoy the transition between the actuated and unstressed conditions without continuously being engaged with the toy figure. Further, the resilient portion of the toy figure provides an increased play value in affording a degree of movable interaction of the toy figure with, for example, the user, the surrounding environment, and/or another toy figure.
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While this invention has been described in conjunction with the embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims
1. A toy figure, comprising:
- a body portion comprising a resilient portion so that a user can apply a force to cause the toy figure to transition from an unstressed condition to an actuated condition, the resilient portion configured to return the toy figure to the unstressed condition under an inherent restorative force; and
- at least one appendage extending from the body portion, the at least one appendage comprising a reconfigurable portion that includes at least two movable segments so that at least a portion of the at least one appendage can transition between a collapsed and an expanded condition, the at least a portion of the at least one appendage configured to maintain one of the first condition and the second condition until deliberately reconfigured by a user.
2. The toy figure of claim 1, wherein the at least one appendage comprises a pair of arms and a pair of legs.
3. The toy figure of claim 1, wherein the at least one appendage includes a coupling portion disposed on an end of the reconfigurable portion.
4. The toy figure of claim 3, wherein the coupling portion includes a recess formed therein.
5. The toy figure of claim 4, wherein the recess is configured to receive a protrusion extending from a surface of a game platform.
6. The toy figure of claim 4, wherein the recess is configured to receive a protrusion extending from an accessory.
7. The toy figure of claim 1, wherein the coupling portion includes an engagement feature disposed along an exterior portion thereof.
8. The toy figure of claim 7, wherein the engagement feature has one of a hooked or looped surface configuration.
9. The toy figure of claim 8, wherein the engagement feature is configured to interengage another surface having the other of the hooked and looped configuration.
10. The toy figure of claim 1, wherein the at least two movable segments each include a base and a connective portion, the connective portion configured to move into an at least partial overlap with the base.
11. The toy figure of claim 1, wherein the resilient portion comprises a body stem interconnecting an upper body and a lower body of the body portion.
12. The toy figure of claim 11, wherein the body stem defines a spring constant.
13. The toy figure of claim 12, wherein the body stem has an axially resilient configuration.
14. The toy figure of claim 12, wherein the body stem has a torsionally resilient configuration.
15. The toy figure of claim 12, wherein the body stem is configured such that, upon transitioning from the unstressed condition to the actuated condition, the body stem stores potential energy.
16. A toy figure, comprising:
- at least one reconfigurable member having a reconfigurable portion disposed between a pair of coupling portions configured to interengage a game platform, the reconfigurable portion including at least two movable segments so that the reconfigurable member can transition from a first, collapsed condition to a second, expanded condition; and
- a building accessory configured to be releasably coupled with at least one coupling portion of the pair of coupling portions of the at least one reconfigurable member so that the building accessory can be moved to a variable height with respect to the game platform as the at least one reconfigurable member transitions from the first configuration to the second configuration.
17. The toy figure of claim 16, wherein at least one of the coupling members of the at least one reconfigurable member includes a recess configured to receive a protrusion extending from the building accessory.
18. The toy figure of claim 16, wherein at least one of the coupling members of the at least one reconfigurable member includes a recess configured to receive a protrusion on a surface of the game platform.
19. The toy figure of claim 16, wherein the building accessory is one of a group comprising: a bench, a patio, a room, and a platform.
20. A method of play with a toy figure, comprising:
- (a) providing a toy figure comprising: a body portion with an upper body and a lower body connected by a resilient stem; and at least one appendage extending from the body portion, the at least one appendage comprising a reconfigurable portion with at least a pair of movable segments;
- (b) expanding or contracting the reconfigurable portion of the at least one appendage by applying a force to the at least a pair of segments of the at least one appendage; and
- (c) releasing the at least one appendage so that the reconfigurable portion remains in an expanded or contracted condition.
21. The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of coupling an accessory with the at least one appendage.
22. The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of coupling the at least one appendage with a platform so that the toy figure is supported in a substantially upright condition.
23. A method of play with a toy figure, comprising:
- (a) providing a toy figure comprising: a body portion with an upper body and a lower body connected by a resilient stem; and at least a pair of appendages extending from the body portion, each appendage comprising a reconfigurable portion with at least a pair of movable segments;
- (b) coupling a first accessory with one appendage of the at least a pair of appendages;
- (c) coupling a second accessory with another one appendage of the at least a pair of appendages;
- (d) exerting a bending or twisting force on the toy figure so that the resilient stem is deformed to store potential energy; and
- (e) releasing the toy figure so that the resilient stem converts potential energy into kinetic energy to cause movement of the toy figure.
24. The method of claim 23, further comprising the step of expanding or contracting the reconfigurable portion of at least one appendage by applying a force to the at least a pair of segments of the at least one appendage.
25. The method of claim 24, further comprising the step of releasing the at least one appendage so that the reconfigurable portion remains in an expanded or contracted condition.
26. The method of claim 23, wherein the step of coupling the first accessory includes releasably coupling the first accessory with the one appendage so that movement of the toy figure can cause the first accessory to disengage from the one appendage.
27. The method of claim 23, wherein the step of coupling the first accessory includes providing the first accessory being a ball.
28. The method of claim 23, wherein the step of coupling the second accessory includes providing the first accessory being a bat.
29. The method of claim 23, further comprising the step of coupling at least one appendage of the at least a pair of appendages with a platform so that the toy figure is supported in a substantially upright condition.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 14, 2014
Publication Date: Jul 17, 2014
Inventor: Peter Alan Fish (Killara)
Application Number: 14/154,741
International Classification: A63H 3/36 (20060101);