Abstract: Joints are provided for connecting first and second manikin parts. The joints can be partially opened like a clamshell by pivoting the parts on a point on the joint interface. They include first and second joint assemblies attached to the first and second manikin parts respectively. The joint assemblies comprise a stretch element such as a spring or an elastomeric cord, and are capable of detachably engaging with each other. The joints can rotate in a primary rotational direction, for example to move a detachable manikin leg closer to the other manikin leg so that the manikin can quickly and easily be dressed in a pair of slacks. Rotation in a secondary direction is also provided to enable the manikins to be easily assembled by customers so that the manikin parts can be shipped separately. Components and methods of making and using the joints are also provided.

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.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an interactive figure with several pivot regions in the ankles, knees and hips. Two drive mechanisms are housed within a base to drive movement of the lower portion of the figure while an additional drive mechanism is included within the torso of the doll to drive movement of the arms and head. Additionally, gear mechanisms are included within the base and the figure to transfer movement from the drive mechanisms to the figure along with various electronics. In response to a user's input or a preprogrammed play routine, the figure will respond with various movement and audio content.

Abstract: An unstuffed shell sewn from plush fabric has one or more openable and resealable seams allowing for insertion and removal of several stuffing components. Each of the stuffing components comprises an outer fabric surface enclosing a stuffing material. The stuffing components are shaped to fit within and fill out specific areas of the unstuffed shell, for example, the head, arms, legs and torso of the shell. Each stuffing component has a unique identifying feature, which may be color, labels or shape, or a combination of two or more identifying features. In the preferred embodiment, each stuffing component is uniquely identified by color, with an optional tag or imprinted or embroidered label attached to the fabric. The tag or label may having writing or an image to convey a thought or message. In an exemplary embodiment, each stuffing component corresponds to one or more personal characteristics or qualities that are described in a storybook that is read by or to a child to teach character building.

Abstract: An internal rocking structure applied in eyeball of the puppet includes an outer casing made of a transparent material, an inner casing, and an elastic member; the inner casing being connected to the elastic member, which is connected to a bottom of the outer casing; a pattern of an eyeball being printed on where appropriately on the inner casing; upon shaking the rocking structure, the elastic member maintaining the inner casing in a rocking status for a given time to deliver amusing effects of a rocking eyeball and significantly increase bizarrely lovable effects when applied in a puppet or doll.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to apparatuses having some characteristic(s) of traditional “roly-poly” toys, which are traditional passive toys that, when struck, wobble about their typically-rounded base but stay upright due to bottom-heavy weighting. Some embodiments of the present invention can be especially relevant to such an apparatus that is mobile and/or not totally passive.

Abstract: Joints for movable toys, such as action figures, that use friction to maintain a fixed position. The toys include several body part members interconnected by a joint that includes a plug portion and a socket portion that receives the plug portion. The socket portion includes one or more protrusions, against which the plug portion is urged to create friction between the plug portion and the socket portion.

Abstract: A robotic toy has a pedestal, a stand assembly, a transmission device, a shoulder, an arm assembly and a body casing assembly. The stand assembly is mounted on the pedestal and has an upper bracket. The transmission device is mounted pivotally on the upper bracket of the stand assembly and has a hollow body, a motor and a gear assembly. The shoulder is mounted movably on the hollow body and oscillates in response to the motor. The arm assembly is attached to the shoulder and has a forearm pivoting up and down in response to the transmission device. The operating motor causes the transmission device to rock, the shoulder to oscillate and the forearm to pivot up and down. Thereby the robotic toy with a decorative musical instrument looks like a lively person or creature playing a musical instrument.

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: A flexible figure in the form of a human engaged in a particular athletic or recreational activity, such as snowboarding. The figure further comprises arm and leg sections connected at realistic joints, and joined to the torso by couplings all of which realistically simulate the flexibility limitations of the human body. A length of elastic material functioning as an artificial muscle, which is connected between the upper leg and the lower leg behind the knee joints, and an resilient covering over the elbow joints, automatically return the figure to a preselected starting stance.

Abstract: Human-like toy figure (1) comprising a body (3) and legs (4) that are, in the upright position of the toy figure, configured such in relation to each other that the body (3) is turnable about an essentially horizontal axis (A). In connection with the body (3) means are provided for temporarily securing an object (21); and the toy figure (1) is provided with a spring device that seeks to keep the body (3) upright, but allows the body (3) to swing resiliently both forwards and backwards about the axis (A). Also a game comprising such toy figure (1) and at least one goal and an object (21) intended to be thrown towards the goal by the toy figure.

Abstract: A label is provided including a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion, wherein the intermediate portion is selectively adjustable between a retracted position in which a portion of the intermediate portion is obscured, and an extended position in which at least a portion of the intermediate portion that was obscured is clearly seen or easily distinguished.

Abstract: A stationery holder comprises a body, a limb attached movably to and extending from the body, a spring interposed between the body and the limb and biasing the limb to move with respect to the body, a stationery receiver at or near a distal end of the limb, and a release mechanism for allowing the spring to move the limb with respect to the body.

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: A toy figure having an upper torso section and a lower torso section. The upper torso section and the lower torso section are connected with a vertical spring. The vertical spring serves as the visible abdomen of the toy figure and enables the upper torso section and the lower torso section to move relative each other. The arms and legs of the figure are also made of springs. The arms terminate with magnetic hands and the legs terminate with magnetic feet. The springs used as the arms, legs and abdomen of the toy figure are all fully compressed coil springs that are made of ferromagnetic metal. As such, the magnetic hands and feet of the figure can be selectively attached to the arms, legs or abdomen of that figure or any other figure. This provides the toy figure with unique posing options.

Abstract: A toy figurine 10 is disclosed having a torso 13, a right arm 14, a left arm 15, a right leg 16, a left leg 17 and a head 18. Each arm 14 has a right shoulder portion (22, 29), an elbow portion (23, 30) and a wrist portion (24 31). The shoulder portions are coupled to the elbow portions by upper arm pneumatic cylinders (25, 32). The elbow portions 23 are coupled to the wrist portions by lower arm pneumatic cylinders (26, 33). Each leg (16, 17) has a thigh portion (36, 43), a knee portion (37, 44) and a foot portion (38, 45). The thigh portions are coupled to the knee portions by upper leg pneumatic cylinders (39, 46). The knee portions are coupled to the foot portions by a lower leg pneumatic cylinder (40, 47). The figurine also includes an internally mounted manual air pump (50) positioned within an internally mounted pressure tank (51).

Abstract: A toy device has a base seat, a platform disposed on the base seat, a first drive mechanism disposed between the base seat and the platform, and a first toy figure disposed on the platform. The base seat has a hollow interior, and an inner periphery recess. The platform is inserted in the inner periphery recess of the base seat. The first toy figure has a trunk, a pair of lower limbs connected to the trunk, and a pair of upper limbs connected to the trunk. The first drive mechanism drives the lower limbs of the first toy figure to vibrate.

Abstract: A motion toy includes a hollow base having two upright top lugs, two leg members respectively pivoted to the two upright top lugs, a trunk member pivoted to the leg members remote from the base, a head member pivoted to the trunk member, a transmission gear meshed between a toothed portion at one leg member and a bottom rack at the head member, spring means connected between the leg members to pull the leg members toward each other, and a power drive mounted inside the hollow base and controlled to turn the leg members back and forth on the upright top lugs.

Abstract: A toy figure includes a lower torso, an upper torso rotatably attached to the lower torso, and a head and two arms each rotatably attached to the upper torso. A spring connected with the lower torso and the upper torso rotates the upper torso from a second to a first position with respect to the lower torso. A friction clutch retards rotation of the upper torso about the lower torso. A drive gear is connected with the lower torso. Two driven gears are engaged with the drive gear and mounted to a separate arm shaft of the arms. The driven gears roll around the drive gear and rotate the arms in opposite directions when the upper torso rotates about the lower torso. Upper and lower arm sections can be fixed together or hinged. Where hinged, a linkage between the lower arm and upper torso rotates each lower arm section about an upper arm section as the arm rotates about the upper torso.

Abstract: A figurine replica of a person such as a player of a particular sport. The figurine replica has a front housing member replicating the front portion of a body of a person except for one limb member, a rear housing member secured to the front housing member and replicating the rear portion of the body of the person except for the limb member, and a replication of the limb member. The limb member has a spring component projecting therefrom and retained between the housing members such that the limb member can be moved by hand and the spring component returns the limb member to its original position. The spring and limb can be molded as a single unit, with the spring either in an elongate configuration for coiling upon assembly of the figurine replica or in an already-coiled configuration.

Abstract: Structure for attaching arms and legs to the seamless torso skin of a soft doll includes a circular plug, having an annular groove extending around its circumference, which is placed inside the skin at a hip or shoulder location and there held in place by a locking disk having a circular flange which is pushed over the exterior surface of the skin and engages the annular groove of the interior plug and traps the body skin between the plug and the disk. The locking disk has an annular groove formed therein for receiving a complementarily shaped and dimensioned circular flange formed at the proximal end of a hollow limb member, whereby the limb member is rotatable with respect to the torso on mating bearing surfaces both formed of relatively durable materials.

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 glove puppet figure has wings capable of simulating flapping movement while producing an audible sound, and driven by a mechanism that is uncomplicated and yet effective. The figure may have a head component that can be moved, by manipulation of the operator's finger, relative to a body which is held substantially immobile on the operator's hand, and the glove empolyed is not only functional but also contributes to aesthetic appeal. The wings are removably mounted to the body by flexible coupling members. The wings are fabricated from a synthetic resinous laminate and provides an iridescence to the wings.

Abstract: A toy action figure has its arms mounted for swinging movement about laterally spaced vertical axes, and has one leg mounted for rocking movement toward the figure's other leg. The mounting assembly for each arm includes an arm cup and an arm ball, the arm ball having a crank extending through a horizontal slot in its arm cup. An actuating mechanism interconnects the rockable leg with the two cranks, the actuating mechanism including a transmission link connected at its lower end to the rockable leg so that its upper end, which is forked, acts against an angled cam strip that is part of a lever unit provided with two upstanding pins which project into slots formed in the two cranks.

Abstract: An animated figure toy (10) includes an upper torso (14) provided with a head (18) in which a pair of elongated members (34) are reciprocably mounted for movement by an operating member (26) affixed to the lower ends of the elongated members and riding in a slot (42) provided in the back of the upper torso. A lower torso (16) is rotatably mounted on the upper torso and includes a spring means (54) mounted on a boss (46) coupling the torsos together for limited relative rotation.

Abstract: The action figure includes two pivotally mounted arms and one leg that can be rocked about a perpendicular axis. In one embodiment, the arms are mounted for pivotal movement about a common horizontal axis, whereas in a second embodiment the arms are mounted for pivotal movement about inclined axes. In either event, an actuating mechanism transmits motion from the leg that is rocked to either or both arms, doing so via either a single or double rotatable cam arrangement. The cam or cams have spiral ribs thereon by which a laterally moved follower converts its lateral movement into rotary movement for either or both arms. Where the arm axes are inclined, a cog arrangement is used which engages in a cruciformly-shaped recess on the arm mounting units so that rotation of the cam about a horizontal axis is transmitted to the arms along their inclined axes.

Abstract: An animated figure toy (10) includes an upper torso (14) provided with a pair of heads (18, 19) and a pair of arms (20, 21) rotatably fixed to shoulder portions (24, 26) by spring assembly (27, 28). The arms may be pulled back and released so as to strike the head on the opposite side of the upper torso. A lower torso (16) is rotatably mounted on the upper torso by means of a boss (76) coupling the torsos together for relative rotation, and includes legs (22, 23) rotatably mounted therein, and held together by a single connector (29).

Abstract: The toy action figure includes a torso having a pair of pivotally mounted wings and a pair of legs, the legs being mounted to the torso for both pivotal and rocking movement. A pair of actuating mechanisms within the torso convert the rocking movement to a pivotal movement so that the wings are moved in a flapping manner. A spring returns the legs and wings to their normal or unactuated positions whenever the child stops pressing the legs together.

Abstract: A toy or novelty item for selectively concealing or displaying advertisements, messages, slogans, logos, or artwork printed on a ribbon. The ribbon is rolled about a reel which is concealed in a compartment such as the head or body of a doll. The ribbon extends outward from an opening in the compartment. A string which is wound about the reel in the opposite sense to that of the ribbon extends outward from the compartment through another opening. If the ribbon is pulled outward to display the printed material, the string winds on the reel. On the other hand, if the string is pulled outward, the ribbon winds on the reel, thus concealing the printed material.