Dancing doll

A free-standing dancing doll having a sound actuated motor and drive mechanism for rotating each of two drive rods extending through the doll. The drive mechanism includes a gear train for simultaneously rotating each of the drive rods at different speeds to impart asymmetric motion to selected doll body parts including the legs, arms, and head, to thereby simulate compound dance movements.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field Of The Invention 
This invention relates generally to figure toys and especially to a 
free-standing animated doll that is adapted to simulate the compound 
movements of a dance performer. 
In particular, the dancing doll of this invention concerns the application 
of asymmetric motion to corresponding doll-body parts for emulating dance 
movement. 
2. Background Art 
Many figure toys and especially dancing dolls, have attempted to imitate 
the body and limb movements of a dance performer. These toy devices 
generally incorporate a mechanism that produces repetitive sequences of 
movements which after a relatively short period of time become familiar to 
the child and thus detract from the play value. Furthermore, the play 
pattern of the previous dancing dolls did not provide a realistic dancing 
companion for interaction with the child. 
For example, a mechanically operated ballerina doll such as shown in U.S. 
Pat. No. 4,040,206 is mounted on a base and employs a linear rod extending 
from the base through a leg of the doll for transmitting rotary motion. A 
shortcoming of this doll is that it lacks lifelike imagery since it is not 
free-standing and does not provide lifelike asymmetric movement. 
Another type of dancing doll as illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,875,886, 
utilizes a drive mechanism having a central column rotatably connected to 
a base and also employs linkage arms for generating pivotal movement in a 
cross-shaped member. The doll of that device is similarly not 
free-standing and does not provide a play pattern wherein the child can 
interact with a dance counterpart. 
A free-standing dancing doll is described in U.S. Pat. No. 1,383,780, 
however, the spring clock pendulum mechanism of that device only imparts a 
dancing effect in brief repetitive sequences and is limited solely to 
agitation of the skirt and leg movement and does not simulate natural 
dance movement. 
An amusement device shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,775,351, in the form of a 
fish, has a flexible rotary shaft which is slightly bent and contains 
eccentrically mounted discs which engage an inner wall to impart lifelike 
movement. That device however does not disclose plural drive shaft nor 
does it utilize compound dance movements. 
A device for imparting a meandering motion using a single driven element 
bent to assume a shape that provides a wobbling motion is described in 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,903,424. The doll disclosed in that patent however is 
fixed to a base, does not incorporate true to life movement in the arms or 
legs and does not provide direct interaction with an observer, all in 
contrast to the doll of the present invention. 
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
Briefly, the nature of this invention involves a free-standing mechanical 
doll having a sound actuated motor and drive mechanism operatively 
connected to each of two drive rods. The doll torso and limbs are 
comprised of an elastomeric foam material encased within a pliable skin 
covering. Each of the drive rods extends substantially longitudinally 
through a passageway from the shoulder through the leg to the foot of the 
doll. An upper end of each drive rod is respectively connected to a 
shoulder joint. Axially rotation of the drive rod imparts lifelike 
movement to the doll body parts including the hips, legs, feet, arms, 
hands and shoulders. Additionally, the head oscillates in response to 
shoulder and body movement. In an alternate embodiment the head is 
directly linked to the shoulder joint. 
A motor and drive mechanism are housed within the body torso and the body 
components are aligned through the center of gravity to provide a balanced 
weight distribution for stability. 
A feature of this invention is that the dancing doll provides a play-mate 
for the child to interact with rather than to merely be an observer. 
Still another aspect of the invention is that the dance-like movement can 
be initiated and accompanied by the sound of music which enhances the play 
pattern. 
A further advantage of this invention is that the doll has poseable arms 
which adds another dimension to the doll play. 
In view of the foregoing, it should be apparent that the present invention 
overcomes many of the shortcomings and deficiencies of the prior art and 
provides an improved dancing doll. 
Having thus summarized the invention, it will be seen that it is an object 
thereof to provide a dancing doll of the general character described 
herein which is not subject to any of the aforementioned limitations. 
Another object of this invention is to provide a dancing doll having 
simultaneous movement of plural body parts for simulating a lifelike 
performer. 
A further object of this invention is to provide a dancing doll wherein 
asymmetric motion is imparted to the several body parts of the doll. 
Still another object of this invention is to provide a dancing doll wherein 
the body motion is initiated by sound actuation. 
A still further object of this invention is to provide a dancing doll 
having free-standing stability. 
An additional object of this invention is to provide a dancing doll that is 
simple in construction, reliable in use, and well adapted for mass 
production fabrication techniques. 
Other objects of this invention will in part be apparent and in part will 
be pointed out hereinafter. 
With these ends in view, the invention finds embodiment in certain 
combinations of elements and arrangements of parts by which the 
aforementioned objects and certain other objects are hereinafter attained, 
all as more fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings 
and the scope of which is more particularly pointed out and indicated in 
the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
Referring now in detail to the drawings, the reference numeral 10 denotes 
generally a dancing doll as encompassed by this invention. 
Although this invention will be described hereinafter with reference to a 
dancing doll, the concept can be applied to other figure toys e.g. 
animals, as well as to animated figures in advertising displays or novelty 
devices. 
The doll 10 includes a trunk or torso 12, having a pair of arms 16, 18 and 
a pair of legs 20, 22 and is preferably comprised of a molded foam 
material. A continuous covering or pliable skin such as vinyl sheet 
material is applied as an outer covering. Alternatively, in lieu of a foam 
body the respective body components can be rotationally molded in a 
flexible vinyl. 
A head member 14 is typically fabricated from a lightweight rotationally 
cast plastic filled with an elastomeric material. To further create a 
lifelike appearance, an artificial hair portion 15 is rooted to the head 
14. 
The operating mechanism includes a set of substantially parallel drive rods 
30, 32, each drive rod 30, 32 extends from a respective shoulder joint 34, 
36 to a respective foot member, 24, 26. The drive rods 30, 32 are 
preferably manufactured of steel and have angular segments and a hexagonal 
cross-section as shown in FIGS. 5 and 5A. The width dimension of the rods 
30, 32 in this typical embodiment is approximately 1/8 in. and the length 
dimension is about 12-14 in. The rods 30, 32 can be continuous in length 
or as shown herein are comprised of a discrete upper torso, and a lower 
leg portion coupled below a hip plate 28 by a respective coil spring 42, 
44 or equivalent connector. The lower portion of the respective drive rods 
30, 32 includes a knee bend 38, 40 and an ankle bend 39, 41. The upper 
portion of the drive rods 30, 32 is angularly offset at the respective 
shoulder joints 34, 36 as will be discussed hereinafter. 
A motor 46 includes a gear train 48, for rotating the drive rods 30, 32. 
The motor 46, in this exemplary embodiment, is a three (3) volt DC motor 
that is powered by a battery source 50, for example two AA battery cells 
housed within a compartment (not shown) that is accessible from the back 
of the torso 12 for inspection or replacement. It should be noted however, 
that the battery source 50 can be remotely located other than in the torso 
12 but preferably should be self-contained within the doll 10. 
A sound activated switch or sensor 52 is used to actuate the motor 46 to 
response to music or other audible sounds. Alternatively, a mechanical 
switch 54 can be applied in substitution of or to override the sound 
sensor 52. The motor 46 can also include internal circuitry and/or a 
mechanical switch for reversing the polarity and direction of rotation 
intermittently or on command. 
The motor 46 contains an output shaft 56 having a drive gear 58 mounted 
thereon. The drive gear 58 engages an idler gear 60 which in turn rotates 
a reduction gear 62. The reduction gear 62 is designed to mesh with a 
further idler gear 64 that in turn, rotates a shaft 66 having a worm gear 
68, 70 at opposite ends thereof. The worm gear 68, 70 engage a respective 
spur gear 72, 74. The spur gear 72 as shown is mounted on the drive rod 30 
and the spur gear 74 is mounted on the drive rod 32. The spur gear 74 
includes a greater number of gear teeth than the spur gear 72. Thus the 
axial rotational velocity of the drive rod 30 is greater than the axial 
rotational velocity of drive rod 32. This produces asymmetric movement in 
the doll 10. 
The transmission of the axial rotational movement of the drive rods 30, 32 
to the doll body components will be discussed with respect to one side of 
the doll 10. The motility of the respective body components on the 
opposite side of the doll will be correspondingly similar but not 
symmetrical. 
Considering next the shoulder joint 36, an upper end of the drive rod 32 
includes a dogleg or shoulder segment 76 that is angularly offset from a 
longitudinal axis 78 of the drive rod 32 as best shown in FIG. 5. The 
shoulder segment 76 rotates within a shoulder sleeve 80 and is converted 
to eccentric, substantial arcuate movement of the sleeve 80 as it rides 
with the shoulder segment 76. An end 82 of the shoulder segment 76 is 
secured by a sleeve cap 84 having a pin connector 86. The cap 84 rotates 
concurrently with the axial rotation of the drive rod 32 however, the 
sleeve 80 will tend to follow the circular path circumscribed by the 
shoulder segment 76. A pin 90 extending from the sleeve 80 is slidably 
receivable within a slotted projection 92 positioned on a shoulder plate 
94 to limit circular movement of the sleeve 80. The shoulder plate 94 also 
supports a head post 96. The head member 14 includes a neck socket 98 
adapted for a loose fitting engagement over the head post 96. 
The sleeve 80 further includes a ball-shaped projection 88 for 
accommodation within a socket or similar receptacle in the arm 18. An 
articulated elbow member 102 within the arm 18, is adapted for positioning 
and holding the arm 18 in selected orientations. The arm member 18 is 
provided with a hand 104 that is formed integrally therewith. 
With regard to movement of the upper body components, it should be apparent 
that the axial rotational displacement of the drive rod 32 and the 
shoulder segment 76 generates an angularly directed oscillating or rocking 
motion of the ball-shaped projection 88 which will be transmitted to the 
arm 18 as a circular motion (as indicated by the arrows) and will also 
induce movement of the hand 104. It should be noted that the motion 
generated in the arms 16, 18 and the torso 12 will be transmitted by the 
foam material surrounding the neck socket 98 and also by the shoulder 
plate 94 for effecting head motion in the direction of the arrows shown in 
FIG. 1. 
Movement of the lower body components will be discussed hereinafter with 
respect to one side of the doll 10 it being understood that the 
corresponding drive rod will produce similar movements. The leg 22 is 
provided with a longitudinal passageway for accommodating a tubular sleeve 
106 having a section above the knee bend 40, and a section below the knee 
bend 40. An ankle joint 107 is provided below the ankle bend 41. Both, the 
sleeve 106 and ankle joint 107 are preferably made of plastic material and 
the drive rod 32 is rotatable within the sleeve 106 and ankle joint 107 to 
reduce friction between a drive rod 32 and the surrounding foam material 
within the leg 22. It should be noted that the leg 22 is molded in a 
slightly bent knee position as best shown in FIG. 4A. As the drive rod 32 
rotates, the knee bend 40 moves in a circular motion (as indicated by the 
arrows in FIG. 1), and the leg 22 gradually assumes a straight-leg 
position as shown in FIG. 4B, after being rotated through an arc of 
approximately 180 degrees. It should further be observed that during this 
rotational movement of the drive rod 32, there is some distortion of the 
molded foam material within the leg 22 which is translated into the 
movement of the doll 10 (as indicated by the arrows). 
A foot 26 is similarly constructed of molded foam material and includes a 
foot base 108 that is weighted and sized to support the doll 10 in a 
standing position and to allow slidable foot movement on a smooth surface. 
The lowermost portion of the drive rod 32 passes through the ankle joint 
107 and the end thereof is locked within the foot base 108 by a toothed 
washer or equivalent anchor device 110. The anchor device 110 permits 
rotational movement of the drive rod 32 without disengagement from the 
foot base 108. The rotational movement of the drive rod 32 displaces the 
foam material within the foot 26 and further angularly displaces the foot 
26 in a repetitive pattern in the directions as indicated by the arrows in 
FIG. 1. The foot 26 can also be provided with a boot or shoe to conform 
with suitable doll clothing. 
The previously mentioned coil springs 42, 44 act as a shock absorber and 
thus preventing bending or distortion of the legs 20, 22 and/or drive rods 
30, 32 if the doll 10 is dropped. It should further be noted that the hip 
plate 28, shoulder plate 94, as well as the drive rods 30, 32 can be 
supported by a brace or frame member extending within the torso 12 and 
that the drive rod 30, 32 can be journaled through said hip plate 28 and 
said shoulder plate 94. 
An alternate arrangement for the shoulder joint 36 is shown in FIG. 6 
wherein an arm 112 includes a plug 114 preferably made of yieldable 
material. The arm plug 114 is adapted for accommodation within a shoulder 
cup 116. An upper end of a drive rod 118 (corresponding to the previously 
described shoulder segment 76) is adapted to rotate the shoulder cup 116 
in the manner similar to that described with regard to the shoulder joint 
36. It should further be observed that a head support 120 includes a 
pivotal connection 122 and a head actuator link 124 for moving a head 126. 
The actuator link is engaged by an extension pin 126 integral with the rod 
118. 
Preferably, the respective drive rods 30, 32 should be provided with 
complementary offset segments such that the arms 16, 18 move in opposite 
directions to the respective legs 20, 22 to facilitate balancing the doll 
10 and to emphasize the motion. 
Thus, it should be seen that there is provided a dancing doll which 
achieves the various objects of this invention and which is well adapted 
to meet conditions of practical use. 
Since various possible embodiments might be made to the present invention 
or modifications might be made to the exemplary embodiments set forth, it 
is to be understood that all materials shown and described in the 
accompanying drawings are to be considered as illustrative and not in a 
limiting sense.