Abstract:
A hand held omnidirectional toy figure manipulator allowing an operator to manipulate a puppet like toy figure concurrently with a variety of miniature toy replica devices such as a skateboard, a surfboard, a bicycle or a motorcycle in a wide variety of associated and disassociated trick style movements. The device works with a one or a plurality of actuators and communicating control rods operating in attachment to the toy replica and using a tubular member attached to the torso of a toy figure.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The disclosed device herein relates to toys. More particularly the device relates to an omnidirectional toy figure manipulator which may be employed to remotely manipulate toy figures similar to a hand puppets or string puppets. The device herein disclosed provides a new and unique method of remotely manipulating not only the figures but other toys in conjunction with devices such as skateboards, surfboards, bicycles and motorcycles, all in an omnidirectional fashion. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Puppets have held the interest of children and adults for many years. The most common types of puppets are the single hand-operated puppets and the string-operated puppets. With the single hand-operated puppet you put your hand into the body section and operate the arms and head with your fingers. The string puppets are operated from above where the strings connect to the body, arms and legs. There have been no real innovative designs where both figures and devices like skateboards, surfboards, bicycles or motorcycles are operated at the same time. This omnidirectional toy figure manipulator offers the answer to the challenge of creating a puppet style of toy that has a wide variety of natural trick style movements to both the toy figure as well as devices like a skateboard, surfboard, bicycle or motorcycle. 
   REFERENCES SITED 
   U.S. Pat. No. 3,574,969 (Cleveland et al.) describes a miniature scooter for use with a walking doll allowing the doll to push and ride the scooter. The scooter includes a low flexible platform for receiving one foot of the doll, a hook for loosely capturing the foot on the scooter, and a handlebar that lies immediately in front of the doll&#39;s abdomen to prevent forward tipping. Cleveland describes a doll with a miniature scooter attached; it does not offer the capabilities of the omnidirectional toy figure manipulator or the advantages of moving the figure or the toy device separately in a variety of trick movements. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,457,097 (Miller et al.) teaches of a puppet toy and game which includes a configured body support having pivotally connected thereto an operable limb assembly in which an upper arm is pivotally connected to the body support, a forearm is pivotally carried on the upper arm, and an activation means activates the upper arm and forearm to extend the limb assembly into a striking position. A return means returns the limb assembly to an at-rest position, with the activation means including a triggering means that is located relative to the body support so as to allow an operator to grasp and carry the body support in one hand wile controlling the activation means simultaneously with the same band. A head is resiliently carried upon the body support to allow the head to return to its original position after being struck, and in toys in which a plurality of limb assemblies are provided the triggering means or levers are located to allow an operator to control the limb assemblies either independently or simultaneously with the same finger or thumb. Preferably at least the forearms are manufactured from a malleable plastic material. While Miller offers a unique style of boxing puppet to be controlled from inside of the body of the figure by the hand of the operator, it does not offer the unique capabilities of the omnidirectional toy figure manipulator with the wide variety of associated and disassociated trick style movements. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,938,698 (Chantry) discloses a device for use in aiding a snowboard trainee in practicing a variety of snowboard maneuvers having an elongated platform conformal to and simulating a miniature snowboard, including a slightly up-curved tail and a more pronounced upwardly curved nose. The platform nose and tail are integrally joined by a flat mid-portion carrying a pair of attachment pads on its upper surface adapted to be detachably connected with a pair of finger couplers carried on the fingertips of the user. Attachment devices releasably connect the finger couplers with the attachment pads. Chantry may disclose a finger operated toy device, but does not offer the many capabilities offered by the omnidirectional toy figure manipulator. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,094,646 (Marceau) additionally describes a controller for a remote toy vehicle includes a housing that is formed in the configuration of a control toy vehicle and a control assembly for controlling the operation of the remote toy vehicle. The control assembly includes a manually manipulateable direction control member which is directionally related to the control toy vehicle and manipulateable relative thereto for effecting corresponding movements in the remote toy vehicle. Marceau, however, describes the operation of an electronic remote controlled toy and does not enter the field of puppet style of toys. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,146,237 (Rehkemper et al.) teaches a toy bicycle that is a scale model including frame, seat, handlebar, front and rear wheel and drive assemblies comparable to a full-sized bicycle. There is also included front and rear braking mechanisms that can be readily and easily finger operated. The bicycle includes pedal and foot pegs that are oversized relative to the other components to facilitate finger operation of the bicycle. The handlebar is provided with projections to enable one playing with it to perform stunts. Rehkemper is another patent that discloses a finger operated toy but does not have the capabilities of functioning with a toy figure and a toy device in a variety of different trick movements. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,371,828 B1 (Ngan) tells of a hand-driven toy for playing by the hand of a player, which toy comprises a body, front and back wheels, and a steering member for steering the front wheel. The toy includes a pair of finger connectors attachable to the steering member for enabling the index and middle fingers of the band to maneuver the steering member. Each connector resembles a gauntlet having a fist for gripping a respective opposite part of the steering member and a cuff for frictional engagement by a respective finger such that the toy may be held and driven by the hand to move on a surface. This is yet another teaching which discloses a finger operated toy but does not have the capabilities of functioning with a toy figure and a toy device in a variety of different trick movements. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,431,940 B1 (Buford) describes a toy doll that is articulated and removably attached to a toy scooter so that the doll&#39;s arms appear to steer the scooter and the doll&#39;s foot appears to tilt downward to push back against the ground and propel the scooter. The animated toy doll and scooter assembly is controlled by a remote control radio, itself shaped like a scooter and having a toy foot attached to it. The toy foot slides forward or back to control the forward and reverse motion of the scooter and is turned side to side to steer the scooter. Buford only describes another doll with a miniature scooter attached and it does not offer the capabilities of the omnidirectional toy figure manipulator or the advantages of moving the figure or the toy device separately in a variety of trick movements. 
   Thus there is a continuing need for new and unique toys to entertain both children and adults which allow for the easy hand manipulation of the toy and engagement of the toy manipulated with a second toy for manipulation of the engaged pair. 
   In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangement, of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The disclosed invention herein is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A first preferred embodiment of the omnidirectional toy figure manipulator device will indirectly manipulate a toy figure and an engaged miniature toy device like a skateboard, surfboard, bicycle or a motorcycle in a wide variety of associated and disassociated trick style movements. The device consists of a primary actuator handle held in the right hand to hold and support the omnidirectional toy figure manipulator. The primary actuator handle has the ability of tipping the toy device to one side or the other by rocking the primary actuator handle toward the direction desired to tip the toy device. This action takes place by the means of the pressure exerted on the left control rod and the right control rod. These control rods have an angular bend at the top and bottom giving the leverage for the tipping action and are seated within a common swivel joint located in the rotational disk in the primary actuator handle and in the toy device. Additionally, the primary actuator handle has the ability to rotate the toy device by rotating the rotational disk with the thumb through the rotational disk cutout that rotates on the pivot pin in the primary actuator handle. The rotation of the toy device takes place through the central control rod. The central control rod is rigidly affixed in the rotational disk and has a swivel joint in the center of the toy device. 
   A second actuator having serrated reliefs on each side to be operated by the thumb and forefinger of the right hand will additionally rotate the toy device and also facilitate the tipping front and back of the toy device by the means of the tipping front and back control rod moving up and down. The tipping front and back control rod is operatively affixed in the second actuator with an angular bend and affixed to the toy device by the means of a swivel joint. An orifice in the center of the second actuator allows clearance for the left control rod and the right control rod and the central control rod to pass through to connect to the toy device. 
   A third actuator consists of a serrated wheel operatively attached to a tube of varying lengths that is rigidly affixed through a passage in the torso of the toy figure being controlled. The third actuator creates the means for the rotational movement and vertical translation of the toy figure, completely unrelated to movements of the second toy device and is operated by the left hand. The tube also allows the clearance for the left control rod, the right control rod, the central control rod and the tipping front and back control rod to pass through the torso of the toy figure to connect to the second toy device. The tube and all the control rods will best be painted black to make the toy figure and the toy device appear disconnected. 
   On the sides of the tube of the third actuator will consist of one or more sliding actuators connected to different spring-loaded portions of the toy figure&#39;s body such as the legs, arms, torso, or any combined, by the means of cables or filament strands. 
   With respect to the above description, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
   Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 
   OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
   The object of the invention is to remotely manipulate a toy figure and a toy device like a skateboard, surfboard, bicycle or a motorcycle in a wide variety of associated and disassociated movements. 
   Another object of this invention is to manipulate a toy figure and a toy device like a skateboard, surfboard, bicycle or a motorcycle and make them appear as lifelike as possible. 
   A further object of this invention is to remotely or indirectly manipulate the body parts of a toy figure of a rider and also a toy device like a skateboard, surfboard, bicycle or a motorcycle doing simulated difficult stunt tricks. 
   Still another object of the omnidirectional toy figure manipulator is to create a device that may be simplified to as few as two control rods for a simply operated toy and as many as four or more control rods with sliding actuators for a more complicated toy along with many options in between and still stay within the scope of this patent. 
   Yet another object of this invention is to indirectly manipulate a toy figure and a toy device like a skateboard, surfboard, bicycle or a motorcycle separately at the same time without the obvious connection to the operator. 
   A further object of the omnidirectional toy figure manipulator is to indirectly manipulate a toy figure and a toy device like a skateboard, surfboard, bicycle or a motorcycle in as many as varied and unique operations as possible. 
   An additional object of the omnidirectional toy figure manipulator is to create a means to entertain children and adults in a new and unique way. 
   These togbjects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty, which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 
   There has thus been outlined rather broadly the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this invention. 
       FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of the omnidirectional toy figure manipulator 
       FIG. 2  depicts a section through the retention area of ball end of one of the control rods 
       FIG. 3  depicts a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the omnidirectional toy figure manipulator with the toy figure of the rider engaged on a bicycle. 
       FIG. 4  depicts a side view of an alternate embodiment of the control rod attachment means. 
       FIG. 5  depicts a perspective view of a second alternate embodiment of the omnidirectional toy figure manipulator with the toy figure rider engaged on a skateboard. 
       FIG. 6  depicts a perspective view of the bottom of a shoe of the toy figure rider with a pair of magnets inserted. 
       FIG. 7  depicts a section through the skateboard and an optional mounting bracket. 
       FIG. 8  depicts a side view of optional control rods with compression springs. 
       FIG. 9  depicts a side view of a third alternate embodiment of the omnidirectional toy figure manipulator with the toy figure rider engaged on a toy motorcycle. 
       FIG. 10  is a sectional view of one of the spring-loaded legs of the toy figure rider. 
       FIG. 11  depicts another preferred embodiment of the disclosed device showing tethers engaged to the limbs of the rider. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring now to the drawings, wherein similar parts of the invention are identified by like reference numerals, there is seen the omnidirectional toy figure manipulator  10 A that is adapted to manipulate a toy  figure 58  such as the depicted puppet and a toy device  12  like a skateboard, surfboard, bicycle or a motorcycle in a wide variety of associated and disassociated movements. 
   The omnidirectional toy figure manipulator  10 A consists of a primary actuator handle  14  which is best held in the right hand to hold and support the operatively engaged omnidirectional toy figure manipulator  10 A. The primary actuator handle  14 A provides a means for tipping the toy device  12  to one side or the other on the first or W-axis by rocking or rotating the primary actuator handle  14 A in the X-axis, toward the direction desired to lower or tip the operatively engaged toy device  12 . Rotating the actuator handle  14 A causes a similar rotation of the toy device  12 . This action occurs by the means of the pressure exerted on the left control rod  16  and the right control rod  18 . These control rods  16  and  18  in the current preferred mode have an angular bend  20  at the top and bottom providing leverage for the tipping action and are seated within a swivel joint  22 , illustrated in  FIG. 2 , located in the rotational disk  26  and in the toy device  12 . Of course other means of rotational engagement might be used. It must be noted at this time the degree of the angle bend  20  and the length of the control rods  16  and  18  after the angle bend  20  will directly affect the amount of movement in the toy device  12  and any modifications and variations of these will be covered within the scope of this patent. 
   Additionally, the primary actuator handle  14 A has the ability of rotating the toy device  12  about the Y-axis by rotating a rotational disk  26  with the thumb through the rotational disk cutout  24 . The rotational disk  26  rotates about the Y-axis on the pivot pin  28 . The rotation of the toy device  12  takes place through the central control rod  30  located on the Y-axis. The central control rod  30  is rigidly affixed in the rotational disk  26  and has a swivel joint  22  on the Z-axis, in the center of the toy device  12 . 
   A second actuator  40  having serrated reliefs  42  on each side can be operated by the thumb and forefinger of the right hand will additionally rotate the toy device  12  and also facilitate tipping the front and back of the toy device  12  about the Z-axis, by the means of the front and back control rod  44  moving up and down. Moving the toy device  12  will inherently move the arms, legs, and torso, of the rider when they are operatively engaged with the toy device  12 . This provides a means to rotate the toy device  12  on the Z-axis. The tipping front and back control rod  44  is rigidly affixed in the second actuator  40  with an angular bend  20  and affixed to the toy device  12  by the means of a swivel joint  22 . An orifice  46  in the center of the second actuator  40  allows clearance for the left control rod  16  and the right control rod  18  and the central control rod  30  to pass through to connect to the toy device  12 . 
   A third actuator  50  which is operable by the other or the left hand, consists of a serrated wheel  52  attached to a tube  54  which would vary in length depending on the toy  figure 58  with which it is engaged thereover, the torso  56 . The third actuator  50  provides a means for the rotational movement and the up and down or vertical translation of the toy  figure 58  about the Y-axis in a manner that is completely unrelated to movements of the toy device  12 . Thus an attached toy  figure 58  may be manipulated independently of the toy device  12 . The tube  54  also provides a passage to surround the left control rod  16 , the right control rod  18 , the central control rod  30  and the tipping front and back control rod  44  to pass through the torso of the toy  figure 58  and to connect to the toy device  12 . The tube  54  and all the control rods will best be painted black and will also be operated with the left hand of the operator and allow those connected portions of the body such as the arms and legs to be moved. 
     FIG. 3  depicts a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the omnidirectional toy figure manipulator  10 B with the toy  figure 58  shown engaged on a toy bicycle  66 . The primary actuator handle  14 B that has the central control rod  30  rotatably affixed to the primary actuator handle  14 B through a bushing  68 . Optionally, with this or the other preferred embodiments, a flashlight  70  to illuminate the toy  figure 58  below may be incorporated into the design. 
   A second actuator  40  having serrated relief&#39;s  42  on each side to be operated by the thumb and forefinger of the right hand provides a means to rotate the bicycle  66  around the axis formed by control rod  30  and also provides a means for tipping the front and back of the bicycle  66  by movement of the front and back control rod  44  moving up and down. Thus the attached miniature bicycle may be easily rotated or tipped back and forth by rotating or tipping the second actuator  40 . The tipping front and back control rod  44  is rigidly affixed in the second actuator  40  with an angular bend  20  at its distal end and affixed to the bicycle by the means of C-clip&#39;s  72  that are incorporated into the ends of the tipping front and back control rod  44  and the central control rod  30  illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
   The C-clip  72  ends will releasably attach to buttons  74  on the frame  76  of the bicycle  66  and the handlebar crossbar  78  and the attachment bar  80  on the gooseneck  82  of the bicycle  66 . Of course other means of attachment providing a rotational engagement could be used and are anticipated. 
   In a current preferred mode of the device where the toy  figure 58  engages with another toy to mimic riding of this other toy, the hands  84  and feet  86  of the toy  figure 58  are adapted for engagement with another toy such as the shown toy bicycle  66  or skateboard  12  through the provision of magnets  94 . These magnets are internally mounted or attached to the surface in the appropriate positions on both the toy  figure 58  and the engageable miniature toy such as the skateboard  12  or bicycle  66 . The placement of magnets  94  is best illustrated in  FIG. 6  which depicts a mounting in the feet  86  and similar mountings would be provided on all the toys and the toy  figure 58  at the appropriate hand or foot engagement to provide a magnetic means of attachment of the toy  figure 58  to the engaged toy. When used for engagement between a toy  figure 58  and a toy such as a bicycle  66 , magnets  94  would be situated on the handgrips  88  and/or the foot pedals  90  and/or the foot pegs  92  which would operatively attract and engage magnets  94  in the toy  figure 58  and provide a means to engage the two. Using such a magnetic means for engagement also causes an immediate attraction between the toy  figure 58  and the toy device  12  such as a miniature skateboard  12  when the toy  figure 58  is placed in close proximity. 
     FIG. 5  depicts a perspective view of a another preferred embodiment of the omnidirectional toy figure manipulator  10 C with the toy  figure 58  engaged on a skateboard  100 . This embodiment of omnidirectional toy figure manipulator  10 C has the addition of the sliding actuator  60  and the cables or filament strands  62  to facilitate movement in the body of the toy rider and the limbs of the toy  figure 58  rider. This embodiment is somewhat simpler than that of  FIG. 1  in that it has fewer rods  30  and  44 . The rods  30  and  44  could be engaged with swivel joints  22  as with the other embodiments or as shown in  FIG. 5 . This embodiment also has an optional bracket  102  style of attachment to the skateboard with the additional option of having the bracket  102  as the attachment point. The bracket  102  is spring loaded on a keyed shaft  104  to facilitate rotation by the second actuator  40  shown in  FIG. 7 .  FIG. 8  depicts optional compression springs  106  incorporated in the design of the tipping front and back control rod  44  and the central control rod  30  which can be employed with this embodiment or the others if desired. While this embodiment would not allow for rotation on the W-axis as in that of  FIG. 1 , it is somewhat simpler to control for a less accomplished user. 
     FIG. 9  depicts a side view of an other preferred embodiment of the omnidirectional toy figure manipulator  10 D with the toy  figure 58  engaged with a toy motorcycle  110 . This embodiment of the omnidirectional toy figure manipulator  10 D has the addition of two sliding actuators  60  and the cable or filament strands  62  as a means for activating and controlling additional movement in the body of the toy  FIG. 58 . Additionally, a cushion spring  112  has been added to the primary actuator handle  14 C. This cushion spring  112  might also be used with the other embodiments. The same magnets  94  would be used as a means to engage the motorcycle and the toy  figure 58  or with regard to the hands  84  of the toy  figure 58  they can be formed in a shape and size to removably and rotationally engage the handlebars of the motorcycle. 
     FIG. 10  is a sectional view of one of the spring-loaded legs  114  of the toy figures  58 , indicating that any of the joints, arms or legs of the toy figures  58  may be spring loaded to enhance the motion when the toy figures  58  is moved away and attachment is released by the magnets on any of the toy devices  12 . 
   The depicted toy figure manipulators, while shown and described for use in combination with toy or miniature skateboards, bicycles and motorcycles, would also work to manipulate miniature components from a plurality of other sports including but not limited to: hockey, tennis, soccer, racquetball, basketball, volleyball, badminton, wakeboarding, snowboarding, skiing, rollerblading, surfing, baseball, football, boxing, fencing, skating, skateboarding, wrestling, quad cycles, bicycling, jet skis, wave runners, lacrosse, gymnastics, fishing, horseshoes, horseback riding and jumping, pool, darts, archer, shooting, ping-pong, cheer leading, musician, military guy, golf, NASCAR, off road racing, and go-carting. 
   The omnidirectional toy figure manipulator  10  shown in the drawings and described in detail herein disclose arrangements of elements of particular construction and configuration for illustrating preferred embodiments of structure and method of operation of the present invention. It is to be understood, however, that elements of different construction and configuration and other arrangements thereof, other than those illustrated and described, may be employed for providing a omnidirectional toy figure manipulator  10  in accordance with the spirit of this invention, and such changes, alternations and modifications as would occur to those skilled in the art are considered to be within the scope of this invention as broadly defined in the appended claims. 
   Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.