Patent ID: 6623327
Filing Date: 2003-09-23
Classification: A63H,Y10T

Abstract:
A toy comprising:a body having a plurality of independently moving parts; and an animation mechanism adapted to move the independently moving parts of the body, wherein the animation mechanism includes a motor assembly, a gear assembly, a linkage assembly, and a skeletal structure, wherein the motor assembly includes at least one motor operatively coupled to the gear assembly and adapted to impart rotation thereto, and wherein the gear assembly is operatively coupled to the linkage assembly and adapted to cause the linkage assembly to actuate movement in the skeletal structure; and wherein the gear assembly includes a gear system adapted to provide intermittent actuation of the linkage assembly, the gear system comprising: a drive gear adapted to receive rotational input, the drive gear having a drive cam structure and a set of drive teeth; and a driven gear having a driven cam structure and a set of driven teeth including a portion of extended driven teeth which are longer axially than a remaining portion of teeth of the set; wherein the driven cam structure is adapted to engage the drive cam structure and align the set of drive teeth with the set of driven teeth to position the set of drive teeth to engage the set of driven teeth for selective transmission of the rotational input; wherein the driven gear has an engaged configuration, in which the driven teeth engage the drive teeth to cause the driven gear to counter rotate relative to the drive gear, and further wherein the driven gear has at least two non-rotating configurations, in which the drive cam structure and the, driven cam structure are adapted to prevent the driven gear from rotating.