Connectable toy figurines

A toy set having one or more figurines is provided. A first figurine has a motor coupled to a flywheel and a drive shaft to rotate the flywheel and the drive shaft. The drive shaft engages a support surface causing translation of the first figurine on the support surface when the drive shaft is rotated. The flywheel holds the first figurine generally upright on the support surface via gyroscopic force when the flywheel is rotated. The first figurine has a body representing a torso and at least one arm extending from the body, wherein the body and the at least one arm do not rotate with the flywheel. A second figurine is connectable to the first figurine to form a self-balancing assembly at least when the drive shaft engages the support surface and the flywheel is rotated by the motor. Rotation of the drive shaft causes translation of the self-balancing assembly on the support surface.

FIELD

The specification relates generally to animated toys. In particular, the following relates to connectable toy figurines.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Toy dolls have been provided which can be articulated to replicate poses assumed during activities such as dancing. Later dolls have been equipped with mechanisms that enable them to autonomously move without being articulated manually. In earlier cases, those dolls were set atop of a stationary platform that housed a mechanism for rotating the dolls about a vertical axis to give them the appearance of performing a pirouette, like “music box” type characters. These dolls, however, have a limited range of motion, are fixed in a location, and quickly become uninteresting to children.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In one aspect, there is provided a set of connectable toy figurines, comprising a first figurine having a motor coupled to a flywheel and a drive shaft to rotate the flywheel and the drive shaft, the drive shaft engaging a support surface causing translation of the first figurine on the support surface when the drive shaft is rotated, the flywheel holding the first figurine generally upright on the support surface via gyroscopic force when the flywheel is rotated, and a second figurine that is connectable to the first figurine to form a self-balancing assembly at least when the drive shaft engages the support surface and the flywheel is rotated by the motor, and wherein rotation of the drive shaft causes translation of the self-balancing assembly on the support surface.

The second figurine can be connectable to a hand at a distal end of an arm extending from a body representing a torso of the first figurine. The second figurine can have a body representing a torso and from which extends at least one arm with a hand at a distal end thereof, the hand of the second figurine being connectable to the hand of the first figurine. The second figurine can be connectable to the first figurine via magnetic force. An electromagnet can be located at the hand of at least one of the first figurine and the second figurine. The electromagnet can be automatically variably activated.

The one arm of the first figurine can articulate relative to the body of the first figurine. The one arm of the second figurine articulates relative to the body of the second figurine.

The second figurine can be connectable to the body of the first figurine.

The second figurine can have a support surface engagement structure selected from the group consisting of at least one wheel, a plurality of ground engagement surfaces that are spaced apart, and a layer having a lower friction coefficient than a base material of the second figurine. The support surface engagement structure can comprise at least three wheels. The at least one wheel can be a castor. The second figurine can maintain itself in an upright orientation via the support surface engagement structure.

The second figurine can maintain itself in an upright orientation on a generally flat surface.

The second figurine can have a weighted base.

The second figurine can have a vibration mechanism.

The first figurine can further have a controller that varies the speed of the motor.

In another aspect, there is provided a set of connectable toy figurines, comprising a first figurine having a flywheel rotated by a motor to hold the first figurine generally upright on a support surface via gyroscopic force and to move the first figurine on the support surface, and a second figurine that is connectable to the first figurine to form a self-balancing assembly at least when the flywheel is rotated by the motor, wherein rotation of the flywheel causes translation of the self-balancing assembly on the support surface.

The second figurine can be connectable to the first figurine via magnetic force.

In a further aspect, there is provided a connectable toy figurine for use with a gyroscopic figurine, the gyroscopic figurine having a flywheel rotated by a motor to hold the gyroscopic figurine generally upright on a support surface via gyroscopic force and to move the gyroscopic figurine on the support surface, the connectable toy figurine comprising a connection feature that is connectable to the gyroscopic figurine such that the connectable toy figurine and the gyroscopic figurine form a self-balancing assembly at least when the flywheel is rotated by the motor, wherein rotation of the flywheel causes translation of the self-balancing assembly on the support surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Described herein are toy sets having at least two figurines. The figurines can be representative of any form, such as human, animal, robot, other inanimate object, etc. A first figurine has a motor coupled to a flywheel and a drive shaft to rotate the flywheel and the drive shaft. The drive shaft engages a support surface causing translation of the first figurine on the support surface when the drive shaft is rotated. A second figurine is connectable to the first figurine to form a self-balancing assembly at least when the drive shaft engages the support surface and the flywheel is rotated by the motor. Rotation of the drive shaft causes translation of the self-balancing assembly on the support surface.

This enables the first figurine and the second figurine, when connected together, to move together to give the appearance that they are dancing together freely on the support surface.

FIG. 1shows a gyroscopic figurine20of a toy set in accordance with an embodiment. The gyroscopic figurine20has the form of a dancing doll. The gyroscopic figurine20has a body24representing a torso from which extend a pair of legs28. A pair of arms32also extend from the body24, each having a hand36at a distal end thereof. A head40is positioned atop of the body24.

Now with reference toFIGS. 1 to 3, as can be seen, the body24and the head40of the gyroscopic figurine20are formed from two molded parts. The body24is shown including a gyroscope housing formed of a flywheel cover44and a battery enclosure48. The flywheel cover44and the battery enclosure48shield a flywheel52. In this embodiment, the flywheel52is a heavy metal ring52amounted about the circumference of a support disk52b. The flywheel52is mounted such that it can be rotated about a rotation axis RA that is generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the body24of the gyroscopic figurine20in the current embodiment. In other embodiments, the flywheel52can be any other mass that, when rotated, provides resistance to reorientation of the gyroscopic figurine20to hold the gyroscopic figurine generally upright on a support surface via gyroscopic force.

The flywheel52forms part of a gyroscopic drive mechanism that includes an electric motor56that is secured within the body24and has a primary drive shaft60coupled to the flywheel52via a coupling62. The electric motor56rotates the primary drive shaft60, causing the flywheel52to rotate when the electric motor56is activated. A pair of batteries64are mounted under a battery cover68and power the electric motor56. A switch72controls activation of the electric motor56.

A secondary drive shaft76is coupled to the flywheel52at a proximal end via a shaft connector80that is fitted within a circular opening on the underside of the flywheel52. When connected, the secondary drive shaft76is generally coaxial with the rotation axis RA of the electric motor56and the flywheel52. A ground contact surface84in the form of a rounded knob is coupled to a distal end of the secondary drive shaft76. In other embodiments, the ground contact surface may be formed on the secondary drive shaft.

A connection feature in the form of a magnet88is secured within each hand36of the gyroscopic figurine20. The magnets88are placed within the hands36such that each has the same polarity oriented outwardly from the palms of the hands36.

The arms32of the gyroscopic figurine20are articulable at the shoulder such that the hands36and, thus, the magnets88can be moved between at least two positions.

In addition, a connection feature, also in the form of a magnet92, is secured to a front side of the flywheel cover44; that is, to its body24. The magnet92has a polarity oriented outwardly from the flywheel cover44.

The gyroscopic figurine20is garbed in a dress (not shown) to give the appearance of a ballerina, ballroom dancer, etc.

The gyroscopic drive mechanism of the gyroscopic figurine20, when activated, spins the flywheel to generate angular momentum. This angular momentum of the flywheel52causes the gyroscopic figurine20to maintain its orientation generally upright on a support surface via gyroscopic force. That is, when the gyroscopic figurine20is upright, with the ground contact surface84in contact with a support surface, and its body generally extending vertically above the ground contact surface84, and the flywheel52is spinning, the gyroscopic figurine20resists reorientation (i.e., falling over).

Further, the rotation of the coupled ground contact surface84causes the gyroscopic figurine20to move on the support surface. The gyroscopic figurine20may generally move in roulettes or other types of curves or motions. Additionally and/or alternatively, the gyroscopic figurine20can rotate.

An accompaniment figurine100is shown inFIG. 4. The accompaniment figurine100, like the gyroscopic figurine20, has the form of a dancing doll. The accompaniment figurine100has a body104representing a torso from which extends a pair of legs108with a pair of feet110at the distal ends thereof. A pair of arms112also extend from the body104, each having a hand116at a distal end thereof. A head120is positioned atop of the body104.

A connection feature in the form of a magnet124is secured within each hand116of the accompaniment figurine100. The magnets124are placed within the hands116such that each has the same polarity oriented outwardly from the palms of the hands116. In particular, the polarity of the magnets124oriented outwardly from the palms of the hands116is opposite of that of the magnets88oriented outwardly from the palms of the hands36of the gyroscopic figurine20such that the magnets124attract the magnets88.

Like the arms32of the gyroscopic figurine20, the arms112of the accompaniment figurine100are articulable at the shoulders such that the hands116and, thus, the magnets88can be moved between at least two positions.

In addition, a connection feature, also in the form of a magnet128, is secured to a front side of the body104of the accompaniment figurine100. The magnet128has a polarity oriented outwardly that is opposite of the magnet92secured to the flywheel cover44such that the magnet128attracts the magnet92.

A support surface engagement structure in the form of a pair of wheels132are located under each foot110. The wheels132reduce resistance of movement of the accompaniment figurine100on a support surface. In addition, lead slugs (obscured from view) are placed in the feet110. The form of the accompaniment figurine100, the lead slugs and the configuration of the foot110and wheels132enable the accompaniment figurine to be self-standing or self-balancing. That is, the accompaniment figurine100can maintain itself in an upright orientation when placed on a level support surface.

FIG. 5Ashows the gyroscopic figurine20connected to the accompaniment figurine100on a support surface250. As shown, the magnet92on the body24of the gyroscopic figurine20is connected to the magnet128on the body104of the accompaniment figurine100. When the gyroscopic figurine20is connected to the accompaniment figurine100, the gyroscopic figurine20and the accompaniment figurine100form a self-balancing assembly at least when the ground contact surface84of the secondary drive shaft76engages the support surface250and the flywheel52is rotated. When the gyroscopic drive mechanism of the gyroscopic figurine20is activated, the rotary motion of the ground contact surface84drives the gyroscopic figurine20and the accompaniment figurine100to which it is coupled to move on the support surface250. The wheels132facilitate movement of the accompaniment figurine100over the support surface250to enable the accompaniment figurine100to move together with the gyroscopic figurine20.

FIG. 5Bshows the magnet88(hidden from view) of one of the hands36of the gyroscopic figurine20connected to the magnet124of one of the hands116of the accompaniment figurine100. The magnetic force between the magnets88,124is sufficiently strong to inhibit separation as the gyroscopic figurine20and the accompaniment figurine100move about the support surface250. The gyroscopic figurine20and the accompaniment figurine100move about the support surface in a manner that simulates a dancing motion.

At least the arms32of the gyroscopic figurine20and/or the arms108of the accompaniment figurine100may articulate to enable the motion of the gyroscopic figurine20and the accompaniment figurine100to appear somewhat natural. In other embodiments, the hands of the figurines may be articulable relative to the arms to further simulate natural movement.

FIG. 6shows a vibration mechanism300that can be deployed in an accompaniment figurine in accordance with another embodiment. The vibration mechanism300includes a motor304from which extends a drive shaft308coupled to an eccentric weight312. When the motor304is activated, the motor304drives the drive shaft308and the coupled eccentric weight312to rotate. The eccentricity of the eccentric weight312causes the vibration mechanism300, and the surrounding accompaniment figurine, to vibrate to give the appearance of more erratic and/or energetic dancing to the accompaniment figurine. While, in this embodiment, the vibration mechanism is a vibratory motor, in other embodiments, it can be any other device for generating a vibration force.

FIG. 7shows an arm movement mechanism400that can be employed by the accompaniment figurine in another embodiment. The arm movement mechanism400includes a rack404with missing teeth in meshed engagement with a motion control gear408that is driven by a coil spring412. The rack404is slidably mounted within the body of the accompaniment figurine. The motion control gear faces a spring-loaded clutch plate416with a slow grease being applied to its surface to slow movement of the motion control gear408. An arm420has a shoulder joint424that is coupled to an arm gear428via a cruciform driver to allow positioning. The coil spring412stores energy to drive the rack404upwards.

In order to cause the arm of the accompaniment figurine to move, the rack404is pushed down to wind up the coil spring412. Coil tension of the coil spring412causes the motion control gear408to rotate, albeit slowly as a result of contact with the slow grease of the clutch plate416. As the rack404is driven back up, the arm gear428is rotated by the toothed sections on the rack404to cause the arm420to move downwards. The arm420can be biased via a spring or the like to an upward orientation when the arm gear428is not engaged by the teeth of the rack404.

Further, the arm420can be sufficiently flexible to permit adjustment of its shape without compromising its ability to maintain its general rigidity to cause the accompaniment figurine to dance somewhat fixedly relative to a gyroscopic figurine.

FIG. 8Ashows a gyroscopic figurine500that is very similar to the gyroscopic figurine20ofFIGS. 1 to 3. Like numbered and described elements of the gyroscopic figurine500are the same or are functionally the same as their counterparts in the gyroscopic figurine20ofFIGS. 1 to 3. The magnets of the gyroscopic figurine have been replaced with ferromagnetic elements, such as iron masses. Of note is that the arms32of the gyroscopic figurine500pivot quite freely at the shoulder. A dress504has been fitted over the body24of gyroscopic figurine500to give the appearance of a performance dancer.

Also shown is an accompaniment figurine550that is somewhat similar to the accompaniment figurine100ofFIG. 4, except that the accompaniment figurine550includes a mechanism similar to that ofFIG. 7for pivoting its arms112. Still further, the accompaniment figurine550includes connection features in the form of electromagnets positioned on its hands116in place of the magnets124used with the accompaniment figurine100. The electromagnets may be sufficiently strong when activated to attract the iron mass in one of the hands36of the gyroscopic figurine500. In particular, the accompaniment figurine550is shown with its right arm112abeing pivoted such that its right hand116ais held in a high position as shown. The iron mass in the right hand36aof the right arm32ais attracted to the right hand116aof the accompaniment figurine550when the electromagnet thereof is activated. The accompaniment figurine550has been outfitted with a suit to give the appearance of a performance dancer.

FIG. 8Bshows the accompaniment figurine550after pivoting of the right arm112aso that the right hand116athereof is adjacent a connection feature in the form of a ferromagnetic element on the back of the body24of the gyroscopic figurine500. The electromagnets may be automatically variably activated by a controller or other mechanism. In order to pivot the right arm112a, the electromagnet is deactivated or reversed so that the right hand116acan be moved away from the right hand36aof the gyroscopic figurine500. After the right arm112aof the accompaniment figurine550has been pivoted so that the right hand116ais adjacent the ferromagnetic element on the back of the gyroscopic figurine500, the electromagnet is reactivated or reversed again so that it attracts the ferromagnetic element on the back of the gyroscopic figurine to couple the two figurines500,550together.

FIG. 8Cshows a “move” wherein the left hand of the gyroscopic figurine500is first coupled to the right hand116aof the accompaniment figurine550. Deactivation of the electromagnet in the right hand116aof the accompaniment figurine550enables the gyroscopic figurine500to move away from the accompaniment figurine550. Activation of a corresponding electromagnet in the left hand116bof the accompaniment figurine550attracts the gyroscopic figurine500to it. The second position of the gyroscopic figurine500is shown as500′.

Activation of the electromagnets and the gyroscopic drive mechanism can be automated by a controller such as a microprocessor that is programmed or otherwise configured to activate and deactivate them. Further, movement of the arms of the figurines may be controlled by the same or a similar controller.

While, in the above embodiments, the connection features used to connect the figurines are illustrated and described as being magnets, electromagnets, and/or ferromagnetic elements, the connection features can be any other feature on one or both of the figurines to connect and hold the figurines together as they move across a support surface. For example, the connection features can be hook and loop fabric elements provided on the figurines to enable them to be releasably connected. In another example, the connection features can include a revolute joint, such as a hooked arm, on at least one of the figurines. Other types of connection features include, for example, snaps and adhesive elements.

The connection features preferably enable the figurines to be releasably connected, such as those described above. Alternatively, the connection features can be used to permanently connect the figurines together in other embodiments.

While, in the above-described embodiments, the gyroscopic figurine includes a ground contact surface that rotates, in other embodiments, the ground contact surface can be passive, such as a castor wheel. Alternatively, the ground contact surface can be replaced or augmented with a magnetic element to enable the gyroscopic figurine to at least partially hover over a magnetic or ferromagnetic support surface.

The support surface engagement structure of the accompaniment figurine can additionally or alternatively have other features to reduce resistance to move across a support surface. In one embodiment, a castor wheel and a number of projections that are spaced apart can be provided on the bottom surface of the accompaniment figurine. The projections may have a height that enables standing of the accompaniment on the castor and at least two of the projections when not coupled to the gyroscopic figurine and, when coupled to the gyroscopic figurine, the accompaniment figurine may travel on the single castor. In other embodiments, any combination of castors, wheels, and/or other features can be employed. In yet another embodiment, the support surface engagement structure can be a magnetic element that at least partially repels a support surface, such as a metallic sheet, etc. In still another embodiment, the support surface engagement structure can be a layer having a lower friction coefficient than a base material of the accompaniment figurine. For example, a Teflon™ coating can be provided over the base material, which may be a molded plastic.

While, in the above-described and illustrated embodiments, the accompaniment figurines are self-standing (that is, they can maintain themselves upright on a support surface when alone), it other embodiments, the accompaniment figurines may be unable to stand upright on their own on a flat support surface and may require coupling to the gyroscopic figurine to maintain their upright stance.