Abstract: A construction toy with a power module is disclosed. The construction toy has one power module and one or more slave members linked together to form a loop. The power module has a core assembly with a flexible rod which can be twisted to store potential energy from the kinetic energy when the rod is twisted. Upon releasing, the twisted rod in the core assembly unwinds itself to release the stored potential energy and causes the entire construction toy in motion. An anti-snap mechanism is incorporated to ensure the flexible rod does not snap in the event of over winding.

Abstract: A robotic limb structure which is capable of achieving high speeds. In the context of a biped, the structure is used for a pair of hind limbs. The limb structure includes a primary driven link—such as a thigh pivoting about a hip joint in the case of a hind limb. Secondary links are pivotally connected to the primary driving link. Auxiliary links are provided to constrain the motion between the links. Elastic trim elements are also provided to define a “relaxed” state for the limb and to influence the resonance characteristics of the structure. The control system takes advantage of the resonant characteristics of the structure as a whole.

Abstract: An ambulatory toy includes a body; a drive mechanism coupled to the body; a plurality of leg members coupled to the drive mechanism, each of the leg members having a distal end disposed downwardly in a first position and adapted to contact a support surface; and a self-righting member coupled to at least one of the legs. The self-righting member adapted to move the distal ends of the legs of the toy from a second position to the first downwardly disposed position. The method of self-righting using the self-righting member coupled to the leg.

Abstract: A card-insertion remote-control talking doll is disclosed, which includes a shell, eyes capable of winking and driving motors thereof, and further includes: a speaker, a remote control and a driving control circuit disposed inside the shell; wherein a card slot for inserting a card is disposed on a remote control shell, a plurality of keys of an input keyboard is disposed below the card slot; and push button bulges opposite the positions of the plurality of keys are disposed on at least one side of each card. The doll has the functions of voice interaction and learning.

Abstract: A figure includes a frame having a body portion and at least two appendages extending from and fixed relative to the body portion. The body portion has an aperture positioned therein. The figure also includes a casing, a motor coupled to the casing, and a crank rotatably coupled to the motor. The crank has a crank pin that is spaced from a center of the crank and engages the aperture of the frame. When the motor is activated, the crank moves the casing relative to the frame while the frame remains substantially stationary.

Abstract: An ambulatory toy includes a body; a drive mechanism coupled to the body; a plurality of leg members coupled to the drive mechanism, each of the leg members having a distal end disposed downwardly in a first position and adapted to contact a support surface; and a self-righting member coupled to at least one of the legs. The self-righting member adapted to move the distal ends of the legs of the toy from a second position to the first downwardly disposed position. The method of self-righting using the self-righting member coupled to the leg.

Abstract: A toy figure with controlled motorized movements is provided having a head, two arms two legs and a tail which are pivotally and/or rotatably attached to a chassis. Mechanisms and electronics are included to move the head, arms, legs and tail in a variety of play patterns and movements.

Abstract: Apparatus for ambulatory motion includes an exit slot of non-zero width and a bar or leg of non-zero and non-uniform width extending through the slot and connected to a crank constrains the bar or leg in a manner that produces nearly rectilinear motion of a distal end of the bar or leg when a proximal end of the bar or leg is connected to a crank and the crank is rotated.

Abstract: An articulated walking device, configured for movement across a surface, includes a frame and a plurality of leg assemblies movably engaged with the frame. Each leg assembly includes a leg member configured to rotate with respect to the frame about first and second axes at least generally transverse to one another. A drive mechanism operatively engaged with the plurality of leg assemblies actuates each of the leg members in like, predetermined, repeatable cycles of movement. The leg members are out of phase with one another, such that sufficient leg members are always supporting the toy device in an upright manner and immediately adjoining leg members do not move together in parallel.

Abstract: An ornamental figure construction kit of parts comprising a plurality of elongated structures having a plurality of article stop restraints, at least one locking structure, and at least one lock engagement and a plurality of construction article stops mountable adjacent the article stop restraints on the elongated structures. In one version, plastic rods with a plurality of spherical enlargements at intervals along the rod are terminated in a plate having an aperture for passing other rods through it. Plastic discs, when mounted on the rods, can be used to position construction articles such as clay pots or aid in locking two rods together. Typically, the ornamental figures are used in lawns or gardens.

Abstract: A toy animal having a rigid body with movable legs, head and tail, is operated by internal gear mechanisms powered by a single, reversible, battery-powered motor operated in different directions. A hand controller is attached to the body to actuate the single motor in a selected direction to either move a plurality of legs to cause movement of the body while wagging the animal's tail, and to then cause the toy animal to urinate, or to move the head and actuate a tongue held in the head to lick a person holding the toy animal, or ingest fluid. The toy animal may also include a speaker and related circuitry that is actuated to cause the toy animal to make sounds, such as a bark, panting, a whimper and/or a tinkling sound at appropriate times.

Abstract: A toy animal mounted on 4 spring legs to permit movement of the animal in response to the rotation of an eccentrically mounted weight. This weight is mounted in the front body portion about a shaft disposed transverse to the body portion. The shaft is driven by a reversible motor, the speed and direction of which is controlled by a program controller.

Abstract: An ambulatory mechanical leg system drives a mechanical leg (100, 21) with a crank (91) to pivot about a pivot axis (102) to produce uniform rectilinear motion at the distal end (41) of the leg (100, 21) during a stride stroke (51) portion of a crank revolution or cycle and then lifts the distal end (41) to fast-return it in a step stroke (61) during the remainder of the revolution to a starting point for the next stride stroke (51). The crank (91), leg (100, 21) and pivot axis (102) sizes and proportional lengths or distances are modeled to an angular profile that produces nearly constant velocity, and mechanical structures maintain nearly rectilinear motion, of the distal end (41) of the leg (100, 21) during the stride stroke (51).

Abstract: A toy turtle is provided with a head, a tail, front right and left flippers, and rear right and left flippers extending from a body. A battery driven gear motor within the body causes linkage in the body to drive the front flippers back and forth, propelling the turtle through the water. The rear flippers are selectively positionable by the user to act in combination either as a rudder, controlling the direction in which the turtle swims when the flippers are positioned asymmetrically, or to control the turtle's swimming speed by increasing or reducing drag when the flippers are positioned symmetrically.

Abstract: A Christmas deer toy is capable of moving the head, neck, and tail thereof. The body unit, head unit, neck unit, and tail unit are pivotally connected. By a driving unit, the parts can move vividly to simulate the action of an animal. The driving unit includes a motor, a rotary arm, a main driving arm, a tail driven arm, and a head driven arm. Only a few components are used and the structure is simple. A rear end of the neck unit has an extending arm and a weight for assisting the actions of the head unit and neck unit to be more vivid.

Abstract: An animated figure is provided with a body and at least one jointed appendage that is pivotably coupled thereto. Motive force is provided to a shaft having a cam which is coupled to a follower formed within the appendage to pivot the appendage with respect to the body. A control rod extends between the cam and the joint of the appendage to enable the joint to bend as the appendage is pivoted. Additional joints and control rods may be provided depending on the appendage movement desired. Likewise, multiple appendages, including a neck and head, may be provided and coupled to one another to impart a natural movement to the figure, such as walking or running.

Abstract: The present invention provides an interactive amusement device and system encompassing a primary robotic unit which performs actions communicated by a remote wireless transmitter and at least one secondary robotic unit which interacts through wireless communication with the primary robotic unit. In some embodiments, the primary and secondary robotic units interact with each other and the user.

Abstract: An apparatus that is capable of achieving self-synchronized walking and turning includes a first motor that is attached to the apparatus that is in communication with a first limb and a second motor, independent from the first motor, that is attached to the apparatus and is in communication with a second limb. Initially, the lateral phase differential is set at 180 degrees and is maintained by a dampening mechanism that is interposed between the two limbs, or other movable members mechanically linked thereto, making sure that apparatus walks in a straight line. Regulators may forcibly upset this balance by speeding up one of the motors, thereby overcoming the force exerted by the damper mechanism, causing one limb to move faster than the other limb. This results in the apparatus turning in a prescribed radius.

Abstract: External state detection device detects an environmental state indicating whether there is an obstacle, external light, or a pheromone signal. On the basis of the detection result, sensor identification unit determining device determines an identifying unit that matches the environmental state. In response to determination of the sensor identifying unit, action units defining actions such as “move forward” or “move backward” related to the sensor identifying unit in an instruction unit are sequentially selected. Action unit execution device executes the action defined by the selected action unit for a preassigned execution time by rotating left and right leg driving wheels in a driving mode including a combination of “forward rotation”, reverse rotation”, and “stop”. Thus, there is provided an insect robot for simulating behavior in a vivid and realistic manner.

Abstract: An interactive toy in accordance with the present invention includes two pair of legs extending outwardly and downwardly from either side of a body to be in contact with a surface. Each pair of legs is rotatably attached to a motor. The toy also includes a sound activation device in communication with an integrated circuit. The integrated circuit is further in communication and control of the motors such that when the sound activation device is activated, the integrated circuit controls the motors to rotate the legs. The direction of the rotation of the legs will cause the toy to move along the surface in a predefined direction, defined as forward, reverse, or spinning to the right of left.

Abstract: A radio controlled robotic toy having a main body chassis with at least two middle legs and at least two corner legs attached to the chassis, the legs being interconnected and driven by a linkage drive arm which is, in turn, operated by a radio-controlled electric motor which has computer electronics and software to control and cause movement of the legs for propelling the toy forward and backward. A six-legged walking animatronic robot toy is one of the preferred embodiments, including a moving head with jaw pincers, six moving legs, which yields a versatile, durable, speedy robot toy.

Abstract: A self-propelled toy is disclosed that utilizes a combination of outboard “legs” and at least one inboard drive wheel in order to provide movement of the device over smooth and irregular terrain. The outboard legs are especially configured and adapted so as to cause of wobbling of the device during movement so as to enhance contact of the outboard legs with irregular terrain for improved mobility and to allow the device to engage and climb elevated surfaces.

Abstract: In a robot apparatus and a control method therefor, firstly, partial or whole state space of a behavioral model is expanded or reduced, secondly, transition to a predetermined node in the behavioral model is described as transition to a virtual node and a node group to be allotted to the virtual node is sequentially changed, thirdly, the number of emotions and/or desires which are used for generating actions is gradually increased, and fourthly, an environment is evaluated to update each sensitivity corresponding to each emotion and desire, on the basis of the evaluated. In the robot apparatus and the character discriminating method for the robot apparatus, a pet robot is provided with: detecting means for detecting outputs from other pet robots; character discriminating means for discriminating characters of the pet robots on the basis of the result detected by the detecting means; and character changing means for changing the character on the basis of the result judged by the character discriminating means.

Abstract: A walking apparatus having an appearance similar to a real insect and capable of taking movements similar to those of a real insect is provided. A walking apparatus comprises a body and at least two of leg portions provided in the left and the right sides of the body. A power source and a plurality of gear wheels rotated by the power source are provided inside the body. The leg portions have rear parts mounted in the body, which are mounted in the rotational centers of the gear wheels and are made to be rotated on their axes. The leg portions can be bent and are formed such that they can retain the bent posture.

Abstract: An apparatus that is capable of achieving self-stabilization while walking comprises two front legs and two rear legs with each leg having three joints including a hip joint, an upper leg joint, and a lower leg joint. Each joint is powered by a motor and is monitored by an encoder, totaling twelve of each for the entire apparatus. Stability is maintained by adding weight to the two front legs and by positioning a separate weight toward the front and middle of the apparatus, thereby moving the center of balance of the apparatus further within the stability envelope of the apparatus. As a result, the apparatus maintains its stability by itself without the need for additional CPU's. The apparatus also includes an animation motor that is capable of causing the apparatus to make non-ambulatory movement and a cartridge slot which allows the user to download new programming which facilitates new behavior being exhibited by the apparatus.

Abstract: When a lower component being different size is selectively and removably connected to an upper component, mechanical and electrical connecting means of the upper component is commonly used, and simultaneously they are connected by mechanical and electrical connecting means being the size corresponding to the size of the lower component.

Abstract: A computerized toy system has a body having the appearance of an animal. The computerized toy system permits the animal to adopt different attitudes and positions, the positions including at least three of a lying attitude, a sitting attitude, a working attitude, a standing attitude and different types of walking attitudes. There are limbs having joints to permit for movement of the toy. There are sufficient in number to permit for a relatively natural and smooth manner of movement representation of the animal. The body construct or skin appearance renders the toy realistic of an animal. The skin appearance may selectively be a fur or plush-type body.

Abstract: The present invention provides an interactive amusement device and system encompassing a primary robotic unit which performs actions communicated by a remote wireless transmitter and at least one secondary robotic unit which interacts through wireless communication with the primary robotic unit. In some embodiments, the primary and secondary robotic units interact with each other and the user.

Abstract: A radio-controlled walking toy horse (10) is disclosed as including a body portion (14) containing an electric motor (28), four legs (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d) engaged with the body portion (14), in which the legs (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d) are movable by the motor (28) to move relative to the body portion (14) in a walking-like manner, and a position sensing and feedback device for stopping the motor (28) only when the legs (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d) rest on a common plane, whereby the toy horse (10) can support itself on a floor surface (52).

Abstract: A walking animal toy includes a battery-powered motor driven apparatus for moving the animal legs to produce a walking action. An independent motor and drive is operative to provide tail wagging of the animal toy. A collar is rotatably secured to the neck portion of the animal toy and receives one end of an elongated flexible tether. The remaining end of the flexible tether is secured to a hand controller including a user handle and a control thumb switch also operable by the user. A plurality of batteries are supported with the hand controller and together with the thumb switch are coupled to the operative mechanism within the animal toy through wires passing through the tether.

Abstract: A self-propelled toy including a body member in the shape of an animal such as a gorilla. The body member includes a torso with a pair of legs and a pair of rotatably attached arms that are slightly longer than the legs when rotated to their lowermost position. A rotary drive, such as a battery powered DC motor or a wound spring drive, is operably attached to the body member with its output drivably coupled to the arms. The arms rotate 360° with respect to the torso in synchronization with each other. Pivotally connected hand and feet portions provide a degree of freedom for better landing and balance. As the arms rotate, the hands contact the floor to raise the body member and move it a step forward. Each complete revolution of the arms advances the toy another step forward.

Abstract: A walking apparatus 1 that is capable of making movements close to a real insect has an apparatus body 2 provided with a power source 35. The apparatus body 2 is provided with at least two of rotating members 75, 61, 45 and 61 in its left and right sides. Through holes 53, 71 and 83 to which leg portions 105, 106 and 107 are rotatably and slidably mounted are formed in the rotating members 45, 61 and 75. The through holes 53, 71 and 83 are provided obliquely with respect to rotational axial lines S1 of the rotating members 45, 61 and 75. Guiding grooves 103 for guiding rear end parts 121, 122 and 123 of the leg portions 105, 106 and 107 extending from inner openings 55, 72 and 85 of the rotating members 45, 61 and 75 by not allowing the leg portions 105, 106 and 107 to rotate on their axes are formed in the apparatus body 2. The rotating members 45, 61 and 75 are rotated by the power source 35.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mechanical model of an animal, especially a toy dog with forelegs and hind legs which are pivotally arranged around a first pivot with a rotation axis perpendicular to the direction of movement of the animal model, wherein the forelegs are articulated by a first drive mechanism with a first gear unit and a first drive axis. Said arrangement is configured in such a way that at least one hind leg is pivotally arranged around a second pivot, wherein the rotation axes of the hind leg are tilted in relation to each other at a given angle and a second drive mechanism is provided for selectable movement of the hind leg around the second pivot.

Abstract: A four-legged walking toy includes a body supported by four pivotally secured legs and a drive mechanism operative upon the legs which includes a pair of mirror image drive units each having three elliptical gears therein. The center elliptical gears of each drive unit are coupled in a one hundred eighty degree phase relationship to offset the operation of left legs from right legs correspondingly. A plurality of frictional members are positioned on the underside of the animal hooves to provide frictional engagement as the walking toy is pushed across a suitable surface. The rearward movement of each forwardly extended leg couples rotational power through the elliptical gear mechanisms to the remaining legs to provide a realistic motion profile.

Abstract: A movable model object which resembles a racehorse has a model supported on a base having wheels that run on a field of a horse racing game apparatus. The model includes front and rear legs as movable elements and a power transmitting mechanism for transmitting rotation of the wheels to the front and rear legs. The power transmitting mechanism includes an endless belt for transmitting the rotation of the wheels to a rotatable shaft rotatably supported on a fixed frame of the model to move the front and rear legs.

Abstract: The ambulatory robot is provided with front legs and rear legs that are constituted so that the lengths from the origins of the front legs and the rear legs to their terminal portions can be varied. In walking, the front legs and the rear legs are rotated and the lengths of the front legs and the rear legs are changed so that the front legs are raised from the ground surface while the rear legs are maintained in contact with the ground. Then, the front legs and the rear legs are rotated and the lengths of the legs are changed so that the front legs raised from the ground surface are replaced on the ground in the direction of ambulation and the rear legs that were maintained in contact with the ground are raised from the ground surface. Then, the front legs and the rear legs rotate and the lengths of the legs change so that the rear legs so raised from the ground surface are replaced on the ground in the direction of ambulation.

Abstract: A running body having an animal model with four legs such as a horse model for a horse racing game, and a racing game apparatus using a plurality of the running bodies, are disclosed. Each running body comprises a movable body which can be transferred along a track formed on a table, and an animal model having four legs, of which the fore and hind legs can be swung back and forth accompanying the movement of the movable body and which can move on or above the track. The animal model comprises: a pair of upper limbs of fore legs, each of which conducts a predetermined swinging back and forth on a shaft attached to a barrel of the animal model; a pair of lower limbs of fore legs, each of which conducts a predetermined swinging back and forth on a shaft attached to a lower portion of the upper limb, by the swinging of the pair of upper limbs; and a swinging mechanism for swinging the pair of upper limbs by changing the transfer movement of the movable body to a swinging movement.

Abstract: A toy set for fishing play mainly includes a casing having an animal contour, inside which there is arranged a driving mechanism and a plurality of toothed rotary trays. The driving mechanism drives various gear sets, which are linked with eyeballs and limbs of the fake animal. As a result, the toy set can imitate a variety of gestures of the animal while fishing play is going on, showing great fun.

Abstract: A robot in the form of a toy simulating a spider is provided wherein the robot is capable of maintaining balance while walking, turning and running in a race-type setting on level ground and over a ramp or small obstacles. A preferrred embodiment of the robot has four operatively cooperating legs which are remotely controlled by a motor on each of the left side and the right side of the robot. A gear reduction mechanism to improve torque is considered. The operative cooperating legs are designed such that alternate legs on each side are in a DOWN position when mirrored legs are in a DOWN position, thereby providing balance while walking with four of the eight legs in a DOWN position while remaining legs are in an UP position.

Abstract: An animal-like-toy driving structure, which includes an animal-like skin and a supporting casing to be mounted in the animal-like skin; two displacing plates on both sides of the supporting casing are inserted in the feet of the animal-like toy respectively; the front end of the supporting casing is movably connected with a rotary mechanism casing, of which the front end is mounted around with a ring-shaped belt that has two symmetrical swinging arms to be inserted into the front feet of the animal-like toy respectively; two bias wheels on both sides of the rotary mechanism casing have two cam studs respectively to be aligned on one center line; when a transmission structure inside the rotary mechanism casing is turning, the rotary mechanism casing will turn, and cause the ring-shaped belt to swing and move forward and the whole animal-like toy will wriggle and move forward.

Abstract: A motorized toy incorporating a drive source and moving while performing a series of predetermined repetitive motions, includes a plurality of protruding pieces extending from an interior of a body to the outside thereof, passing through notches cut in the peripheral portions of a cover member. The body incorporates main and auxiliary shafts, each rotating by receiving, via gears, transmission of a driving force from the drive source. The protruding pieces are automatically housed in the cover member, as they interlock with rotation of the main shaft. Rotation of the auxiliary shaft is transferred to the cover member via levers actuated during the period that the protruding pieces are housed within the cover member, and the cover member makes a predetermined number of revolutions. Upon completion of the rotation of the cover member, the protruding pieces housed therein spring out of the body. These operations are continually repeated.

Abstract: A crawling doll normally in an all-fours position, having inside it a battery-operated mechanism, which, by operation of a cam-connecting rod combination, makes the doll advance on the ground and, with each rotation of the cam, temporarily extends its hands frontwards in a head-down falling attitude, at the same time as it energizes a sound mechanism that reproduces a baby's weeping, subsequently moving the arms back to the initial all-fours position in order to develop the complete cycle of the mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention provides a doll which has a pair of legs and a frame, with a generally horizontal slotted follower, fixed onto the top of the legs. A movable support frame for supporting the upper torso of the doll is pivotally mounted at its upper and lower ends onto the frame. A first motor is installed on the movable support frame, and an eccentric pin member is operatively connected to and activated by the first motor for actuating the hand rod and the head rod of the dolls. The slotted follower of the frame provides a slot which slidingly receives the eccentric pin member. While the eccentric pin member is rotating around the axis of the first motor, the movable support frame is activated and turn right and left reciprocatively thereby.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a doll, standing on its hands and knees, in an all-fours position, having inside it a battery-fed mechanism, which, by means of a cam-connecting rod combination, makes the doll advance on the ground and temporarily extends its hands frontwards in a headlong-falling attitude, at the same time as it connects a sound mechanism that reproduces a baby's weeping, going back to the initial all-fours position in order to develop the complete cycle of the mechanism.

Abstract: This invention is a climbing toy which features simple structure, life-like action and stronger attraction. Orbiting friction wheels hold clothing or other material, and the toy climbs up in the direction of moving of these wheels. A balancing is achieved with a lever which moves a convex pad on each of the hands and feet for climbing. A driving mechanism with an interior mercury switch controls the action of climbing depending upon the attitude with the aid of motion of the body.

Abstract: A walking animal toy is capable of moving forward and backwards as well as turn. The toy is meant for riding by a child. Four legs of the toy can be replaced by four wheels, so that the walking toy can become a car that looks like the animal. The toy includes a battery-powered motor drive and speed reduction which rotates a rear shaft having eccentric projections at its ends. A drive shaft is driven by the rear shaft which, in turn, rotates a front shaft connected to universal joints and similar eccentrical projections. A turning mechanism is connected to the front shaft and a handle is provided for steering the turning mechanism. The head, legs or wheels, and tail of the animal are detachable and can be reassembled by the child.

Abstract: A voice making device for a moving animal toy, wherein an air is drawn in by a fan through air suction slits and delivered to a voice generating member with a vibrating piece through an air flow controlling cock, and the air suction slits are opened and closed by communication holes and blocking portions of an adjust plate, the cock and the adjust plate being actuated according to the motion of the moving animal toy. A moving animal toy using a voice making device, wherein a head, upper and lower jaws are mounted oscillatably and a voice making device is actuated by the indivisual motion of the head, upper and lower jaws to produce a sound with a specific tone.

Abstract: A calling device and a motion toy for using the calling device are disclosed. The motion toy comprises a body frame having a machine frame inside thereof. Foreleg frames, hind leg frames, and a tail frame are rotataly mounted on the body frame. A nose frame is mounted for back and forth movement on the main frame. A first driving gear is rotatably mounted in the machine frame to actuate the foreleg and hind leg frames. A second driving gear is rotatably mounted in the machine frame to actuate the tail and nose frames. A changeover gear is mounted on the machine for rotation about an axis and sliding movement along the axis for alternate engagement with either the first or the second driving gear. A motor is operatively connected to drive the changeover gear. The calling device of the motion toy includes a calling gear having teeth thereon rotatably mounted on the machine frame.

Abstract: A toy is constructed to include two unique linkages with the first linkage including a series of links located in a sequential array with each link pivotally connected to its next immediate adjacent neighbor and every other link operatively connected such that each link can pivot with respect to its neighbor and motion of a link pivotally connected to one side of a link is communicated to the link pivotally connected to the other side of that same link. This allows the linkage to propagate motion along the totality of the sequence in response to movement of any one link. The second linkage includes a first member which is pivotally connected to a rotating crank pin and connected at its upper end to a second lever which is pivotally connected to a body on which the crank pin rotates.

Abstract: An animated toy having a housing in the form of a body of a spider like insect with leg coupling members rotatably coupled thereto through ball and socket arrangements, with extensions thereof engaging cam follower members. The drive mechanism includes dual sided cam members with each cam having first and second cam portions for coaction with predetermined portions of the opening in a cam follower member to provide a modified "D" shape movement to the leg extensions, with the opposite cam portions on a given cam, and the position from cam to cam being mechanically phased to realistically simulate the walking movement of a spider like insect.