Abstract: A robotic assembly is provided that simulates the size, appearance and movement of a human torso. The torso includes a unique combination of high speed rotary and linear actuators arranged in a geometry that enables anatomically correct human-like movement, and which provides sufficient internal room and mounting surfaces for the actuators and related equipment such as hydraulic or pneumatic lines, electronic control circuits, valves, and audio playback devices. A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides up to nine degrees of freedom. The upper torso includes a pair of rotary arm actuators ("rotacs") for rotating arms up to 200 degrees. The rotacs are pivotally attached to a centrally located mounting structure for up-and-down motion (shoulder shrugging) and for forward-and-back motion (shoulder forward).
Abstract: A simulated golf game in which a remotely controlled golfer plays on a miniature course, The physical mechanisms and methods of control of the game are directed to heighten its realism. The course has all the characteristics of a real golf course, e.g., hills, valleys, sand traps, and trees. The golfer is a model human figure who plays a miniature ball free that is to roll anywhere on the course. The golfer is remotely controlled through an overhead gantry positioning mechanism that connects to the golfer's back by way of a small-diameter rigid tube. The gantry simulates walking by moving the tube, with the golfer attached, about the golf course. Animation of the golfer itself (bending at the waist, swinging the club, etc.) is effected by a set of electric motors driving cables running inside the tube. Many of the motors are operated simultaneously to give the golfer a lifelike look. The motor operations are controlled by a computer.
Abstract: A movable toy includes a toy body having movable hands and tail, a motor and an electric board are disposed in the toy body, a pair of barrels are located close to the hands for rotatably supporting two shafts which extend into the hands, a stub is located close to the tail portion for rotatably supporting a rod which extends into the tail portion, the shafts and the rod are coupled to the motor and driven by the motor, the hands and the tail portion are rotated when the motor is energized. A light-sensitive resistor is connected to the motor for controlling the motor.
Abstract: A wobbling toy includes a hollow platform, a first magnet unit a soft toy housing including a head and a body and a driving mechanism. The first magnet unit is disposed horizontally and mounted rotatably adjacent to the top surface of the platform. The driving mechanism is operable so as to drive rotatably the first magnet unit. The toy body unit rests on the top surface of the platform. The toy body unit further includes a pivot plate which has two distal ends connected pivotally to the wall of the toy body and a vertically extending swing rod which has an intermediate portion that extends through and that is connected to the pivot plate. The swing rod further has a lower end with a second magnet unit mounted thereon and disposed adjacent to the platform and an upper end disposed within the head of the soft toy housing.
Abstract: An animated toy figure includes an upper and lower torso pivotally joined near the figure's waist portion. A head is pivotally secured to the neck portion of the upper torso. Arm and leg members are pivotally secured to the upper and lower torso portions respectively. A gear drive and drive shaft mechanism is supported within the upper torso and is coupled between the lower torso and the head to provide rotation of the head in response to rotation of the lower torso.
Abstract: A mechanism for transmitting the power output of a music box to an ornament supported thereon, wherein the output shaft of the music box rotates an eccentric stub that is engaged within a slide link supported for vertical movement on a pair of guide rods. The ornament is supported by a tappet rod having a lower end secured to either the slide link or the drive stub, so that operation of the music box will impart the desired movement to the ornament.
Abstract: A motor actuating mechanism for animated figures has an eccentric pin member which rotates around a rotatable shaft fixing on the interior of a frame. While the motor is driving, the eccentric pin member will activate the first link member positioned on the frame to move the figure's head. Furthermore, the first link member will activate the second link member and the L-shaped third link member to swing and make the figure's hand/tail move, and also, the eccentric pin member will also activate several connected draw link member to cause the figure's foot to move.
Abstract: Oscillatory movements are imparted to plural ornaments of an ornamental assembly from the rotary output drive shafts of a power drive source through a cam assembly driven by each output shaft and connected to plural tappet rods on which the ornaments are supported. Numerous orientations of the tappet rods may be realized to accommodate different positions of the ornaments by detachably securing U-shaped, rectangular-shaped and L-shaped blocks to a casing for rotatably supporting the tappet rods in the different orientations.
Abstract: The animated toy puppet theater comprises a box-like frame defining a top surface having a hole formed therein, and a puppet having a head and hollow body, made of flexible material, connected to the head and the top surface. A rod is connected to the head and extends through the hole into the frame. A motor driven cam shaft acts on a cam follower attached to the rod for automatically animating the puppet. An aperture is provided in the frame for permitting manual animation of the puppet. A cover defining an internal surface bearing a background panel is pivotally connected to the frame. The cover defines at least one open position, whereat the background panel lies perpendicular to the top surface.
Abstract: A doll has bendable arms that are movable from a position generally alongside the doll's torso up toward the doll's head. Each arm has a hand attached for rotation about the wrist. When an arm is bent and moved up, the attached hand rotates. Movement of each arm is effected by a cable extending through a hollow, bendable conduit. One end of each cable is connected to a respective hand and at the other end to a common control knob. The hands are biased to rotate in one direction and rotate in the opposite direction when the respective cable is tightened. Side to side turning of the doll's head is also effected by movement of the control knob. In addition, a "crying" sound is effected through the control knob by turning over a sound drum when the arm and head motions are made.
Abstract: A dancing doll which alternately moves its hips left and right while alternately rotating 180.degree. clockwise and counterclockwise to a melody. The doll includes an upper portion, a hip portion, a leg portion, and a base portion. The upper portion resembles the head to hip portion of a human; the hip portion resembles the hips of a human; and the leg portion resembles the legs through feet of a human. The base portion includes a covering case with a rotating disc at its bottom, a base plate that is pivotally connected to the rotating disc, a switch, a battery, a motor, an I.C. Unit, a speaker, a prime gear, a cam, an actuator, and gearing which will transmit the motion of the motor to the cam and to the actuator and will cause the alternate turning of the rotating disc. A pin pivotally connects the upper portion to the hip portion and a torso supporter, which extends from the right leg into a cavity in the upper portion. The feet are connected to the top of the covering case.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 23, 1985
Date of Patent:
June 30, 1987
Assignee:
Michael & Park's Trading and Sales, Inc.
Abstract: A motion toy consists of a toy body and a power feeder. The toy body contains a driving mechanism for driving a movement mechanism and a fixed terminal on one side thereof. The power feeder is provided independently of the toy body and formed in a desired shape and has a connection terminal which can be detachably connected to the fixed terminal. The driving mechanism for driving the movement mechanisms is provided within the head of the toy body, and the fixed terminal is arranged within the mouth of the toy. The power feeder is shaped like a feeding bottle containing batteries, and the connection terminal thereof is shaped like the mouthpiece of the feeding bottle.
Abstract: A simulated exercise apparatus toy having a housing with a seat portion, handlebars, rotatable simulated pedals and a simulated control panel with a window. A manually operated crank is provided with gear members within the housing rotating the pedals and simultaneously rotating a drum member with the indicia thereon appearing within the window of the simulated control panel to simulate an exercise function, such as respiration, or the like. Internal to the housing, one of the pedals is provided with first and second concentric bevel gears, one for engaging the bevel gear operated by the crank, and the second engaging a bevel gear operating the drum member.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 3, 1985
Date of Patent:
February 18, 1986
Assignee:
Mattel, Inc.
Inventors:
Richard E. Henderson, Mark S. Wittenberg
Abstract: A mechanically actuable doll's head (12) is mounted on an angled cut (20) formed in a neck (14) and is supported on a pair of shoulders (16) fixed to a supporting base (18). An actuating mechanism (26) for rotating the head from one side to the other, and at the same time tilting the head up or down is provided, and includes a knob (28), a first shaft (32), a first bevel gear (34), a second bevel gear (38), a second shaft (42) and a neck-plug (44) having an enlarged portion (46) carrying the head.
Abstract: A pendant having a housing with a movable member connected to the housing. The movable member is capable of swinging movement for a period of time. The movement is started by the wearer compressing a movable driving arm toward a stationary projection formed in the lower part of the housing and then releasing. The driving arm is provided centrally with a spring normally biasing the driving arm away from the projection, and gear teeth at its upper end. The gear teeth mesh with a gear train terminating in a shaft having a disc and an eccentrically located projection extending toward the front of the pendant. The projection is engaged within a guide slot in the movable member which is rotatable about an axis contained in the housing. Thus, when the driving arm is compressed and released, the energy of the spring is transferred through the drive train, causing the eccentric projection to move the movable member to which it is connected, and thus imparting an animated character to the pendant.