Eyeglasses toy

To entertain viewers more by adopting motions different from the conventional ones, there is provided an eyeglasses toy having an eyeglasses frame comprising a rim member and temple members, eyeball members fixed to the rim member and comprising spherical surface portions which project forwards from the rim member, rotational eyelid members which are provided rotatably so as to cover and expose the spherical surface portions of the eyeball members, biasing members which bias the rotational eyelid members in a direction in which the rotational eyelid members expose the spherical surface portions of the eyeball members, and operating members or strings which rotate the rotational eyelid members in a direction in which the rotational eyelid members cover the spherical surface portions of the eyeball members against biasing forces of the biasing members, wherein the strings have a chin locked portion which is locked on the chin of a wearer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority under 35 USC 119 of Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-111816 filed on Jun. 3, 2016, the entire disclosure of which, including the specification, claims, drawings and abstract, is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an eyeglasses toy configured to be used in a performance for entertainment.

Description of the Related Art

There have conventionally been provided eyeglasses toys having provided thereon pictures or models of some portions of a face such as eyes and a nose. With some of these eyeglasses toys, a person who wears the eyeglasses toy can entertain those who take part in an entertainment event by moving the pictures or models featuring the portions of the face provided on the eyeglasses toy. For example, Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication No. 5-41596 discloses an entertainment eyeglasses toy in which eyebrows are connected to eyes and a left eye and a right eye are connected together by a gear. According to this entertainment eyeglasses toy, the eyebrows and the eyes move in an interlocked fashion, whereby a facial expression with the eyes turned up or down can be provided. Further, a string is attached to each of the eyes so that the eye and the eyebrow can be moved in an interlocked fashion.

These conventional entertainment eyeglasses toys can entertain the viewers by switching easily the facial expressions between one with the eyes turned up and the other with the eyes turned down. However, only the rotational motions of the eyebrows and the eyes which are provided on those entertainment eyeglasses toys cannot keep the viewers interested therein for a long time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention has been made in view of the situations described above, and an object of the invention is to provide an eyeglasses toy which adopts movements which are different from the conventional ones for further entertainment.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided an eyeglasses toy having an eyeglasses frame including a rim member and temple members, eyeball members fixed to the rim member and including spherical surface portions which project forwards from the rim member, rotational eyelid members which are provided rotatably so as to cover and expose the spherical surface portions of the eyeball members, biasing members which bias the rotational eyelid members in a direction in which the rotational eyelid members expose the spherical surface portions of the eyeball members, and operating members which rotate the rotational eyelid members in a direction in which the rotational eyelid members cover the spherical surface portions of the eyeball members against biasing forces of the biasing members, wherein the operating members have a chin locked portion which is locked on the chin of a wearer.

According to the aspect of the invention, the rotational eyelid members are rotated or turned up and down repeatedly by the operating members to open and close the eyes repeatedly. Then, the opening and closing operations of the eyes can be executed by operating the operating members through opening and closing the mouth of a wearer of the eyeglasses toy. Thus, since the rotational eyelid members of the eyeglasses toy can be rotated up and down by moving the face (by opening and closing the mouth) of the wearer, viewers can be entertained more by the eyeglasses toy of the invention than by the conventional eyeglasses toy.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the invention will be described based on the drawings. An eyeglasses toy10shown inFIG. 1is a toy reproducing a pair of eyeglasses in which a left string61and a right string62, which are strings60functioning as operating members, are fastened together to make up a chin locked portion65(refer toFIGS. 6 and 7) which is wrapped around the chin of a wearer of the eyeglasses toy10so that rotational eyelid members30are rotated to entertain viewers as a result of the mouth of the wearer being opened (that is, the strings60being drawn). Here, when left and right are referred to in the following description, left and right denote, respectively, the left and right of the eyeglasses toy10when it is worn. Additionally, directions indicated by front, rear, up and down denote front, rear, up and down directions resulting when the eyeglasses toy10is worn.

FIG. 1is a perspective view of the eyeglasses toy10as viewed from a front left upper position.FIG. 2is a perspective view of the eyeglasses toy10as viewed from a rear right upper position.FIG. 3is an exploded perspective view of the eyeglasses toy10as viewed from a front upper position.FIG. 4is an exploded perspective view of the eyeglasses toy10as viewed from a rear lower position.

As shown inFIGS. 1 to 4, an eyeglasses frame20includes a rim member22and two temple members24. As shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, the rim member22includes frame-shaped rims221which are connected by a bridge portion225and fixed eyelid members228. Each frame-shaped rim221has a slit222which is formed at an outer end portion. The slit222is formed in a front-to-rear direction. Consequently, each frame-shaped rim221has a substantially C-like annular external shape when seen from the front. Each frame-shaped rim221has a cylindrical portion221awhich has a C-like annular cylindrical shape and an annular projecting portion221bwhich projects from a front end of the cylindrical portion221aradially inwards into a C-like annular shape. Two step portions221care formed on an outer surface of each cylindrical portion221aat locations which hold the slit222therebetween so that an end portion of the cylindrical portion221awhere the slit222is formed has a recessed shape. One boss223is provided on each step portion221cso as to rise therefrom. In addition, three bosses224(all of which are not shown) are formed on an inner circumferential surface of each cylindrical portion221aso as to be disposed at substantially equal intervals in a circumferential direction.

The cylindrical portions221aof the frame-shaped rims221are connected together by the bridge portion225having a substantially plate shape in positions where they face each other (that is, in positions which lie on an opposite side to the side where the step portions221care formed). A pad portion221a1is formed on an outer circumferential surface of each cylindrical portion221ain a position which lies near to and slightly lower than the bridge portion225so as to project to the rear.

As shown inFIG. 1, the fixed eyelid member228is fixed in place within a frame of each frame-shaped rim221. Each fixed eyelid member228has an upper and lower spherical surface portions228a,228bwhich are formed at an upper and lower portions of the fixed eyelid member228, respectively. The spherical surface portions228a,228bare formed so as to have a fan-shaped vertical section and an outer surface which is formed into a convexly curved spherical surface. In other words, the spherical surface portions228a,228bare formed into a shape resulting when a spherical body is cut into segments. As shown inFIG. 4particularly, a substantially semi-circular outer circumferential arc portion228cis formed on an outer circumference of a proximal end portion of the lower spherical surface portion228bso as to project in a radial direction. As shown inFIG. 3particularly, the outer surface of the upper spherical surface portion228acontinues to an outer surface of the outer circumferential arc portion228c. Consequently, a step portion228c1is formed between the outer surface of the lower spherical surface portion228band the outer surface of the outer circumferential arc portion228c.

Flange portions228dare formed individually along proximal end portions of the upper spherical surface portions228aand the outer circumferential arc portions228c. Three boss fixing portions228eare provided on a rear surface of each flange portion228dso as to rise to the rear therefrom, and the three boss fixing portions228eare disposed at substantially equal angular intervals in a circumferential direction when seen from the rear. A substantially semi-cylindrical boss accommodating portion228e1is formed on a front side of each boss fixing portion228e. A cylindrical boss abutment portion228e2is formed on a rear side of each boss fixing portion228eat a portion corresponding to a rear end portion of the boss accommodating portion228e1. A diameter of the boss abutment portion228e2is made smaller than an outside diameter of the boss accommodating portion228e1.

The boss fixing portions228eand the bosses224of the frame-shaped rim221are disposed so as to face each other. Then, in attaching the fixed eyelid member228to the frame shaped rim221, the bosses224are accommodated in the boss accommodating portions228e1of the boss fixing portions228e, and end faces of the bosses224are brought into abutment with front end faces of the boss abutment portions228e2. As this occurs, a front surface of the flange portion228dis brought into abutment with a rear surface of the annular projecting portion221bof the frame shaped rim221. Then, for example, wood screws, not shown, are screwed into holes in the boss fixing portions228efrom the rear of the boss abutment portions228e2of the fix fixing portions228e, whereby the fixed eyelid member228can be fixed to the frame shaped rim221. As shown inFIG. 1, when the fixed eyelid member228eis fixed to the frame shaped rim221, the spherical surface portion228aprojects to the front from an upper portion of the frame shaped rim221, and the spherical surface portion228bprojects to the front from a lower portion of the frame shaped rim221.

In addition, as shown inFIG. 4, two cylindrical bosses228jare formed on the rear surface of the flange portion228dof each fixed eyelid member228so as to extend to the rear. A shaft support portion228fis formed at an outer end of each fixed eyelid member228by cutting out the outer end of the fixed eyelid member228from the flange portion228dto the front into a U-like shape as seen from the side. The outer end of the fixed eyelid member228is formed into a flat surface228g, and a spring accommodating and locking portion228his formed on the flat surface228garound the shaft support portion228fso as to rise into a substantially C-like annular shape. A substantially C-shaped annular cut-out portion of the spring accommodating and locking portion228hmatches the shaft support portion228f. Further, a shaft support portion228ihaving a U-like groove shape whose longitudinal direction follows the front-to-rear direction is formed on an inner surface of the fixed eyelid member228which faces the shaft support portion228f.

In addition, as shown inFIG. 1, an eyeball member40is disposed in each of the frame shaped rims221of the rim member22. Then, the rotational eyelid member30is provided rotatably so as to cover and expose a spherical surface portion40aof each of the eyeball members40.

As shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, each of the rotational eyelid members30is formed so as to have a fan-shaped vertical section and an outer surface which is formed into a convexly curved spherical surface. In other words, the rotational eyelid members30are formed into a shape resulting when a hollow spherical body is cut into segments. An arc-shaped projection30dis formed at a front edge of each of the rotational eyelid members30so as to project therefrom into an arc-like shape. A flat surface30ais formed at each end of each of the rotational eyelid members30. Cylindrical rotational shafts30bare formed on the facing flat surfaces30aof each of the rotational eyelid members30so as to project into a cylindrical shape. A cylindrical rotational shaft30cis formed on each of the flat surfaces30awhich face in opposite directions (that is, on the outer flat surfaces30a).

A rotation transmission portion31is formed at an end portion of each of the rotational shafts30c. The rotation transmission portion31has a string locking portion31bwhich projects from an outer circumference of a cylindrical main body tube31aand a spring locking portion31cwhich projects radially outwards from the outer circumference of the main body tube31ainto a plate shape. A torsional coil spring32, which is a biasing member, is provided on the outer circumference of each of the main body tubes31abetween the spring locking portion31cand the flat surface30a. One of legs of each of the torsional coil springs32is brought into abutment with the spring locking portion31cand is then locked thereon.

The rotational shafts30bof the rotational eyelid members30are supported rotatably in the shaft support portions228iwhich are provided on the inner surfaces of the ends of the fixed eyelid members228which face each other. On the other hand, the rotational shafts30cof the rotational eyelid members30are supported rotatably in the shaft supports portions228fwhich lie at the respective outer ends of the fixed eyelid members228. Then, the torsional coil springs32are accommodated in the spring accommodating and locking portions228h, and the other legs of the torsional coil springs32are locked individually in the spring accommodating and locking portions228h. On the other hand, as has been described above, the one leg of each of the torsional coil springs32is brought into abutment with the spring locking portion31cso as to be locked therein. Consequently, the rotational eyelid members30are biased by the torsional coil springs32in a direction in which the arc-shaped projections30dare brought into abutment with edges of the upper spherical surface portions228a(that is, in a direction in which the spherical surface portions40aof the eyeball members40are exposed).

As shown inFIG. 1, the eyeball members40are fixed in place in the rim member22(specifically speaking, the fixed eyelid members228) so that the spherical surface portions40aproject to the front from the rim member22. Then, the eyeball members40are disposed underneath the rotational eyelid members30. In other words, the rotational eyelid members30are disposed so as to rotate between the eyeball members40and the fixed eyelid members228. As shown inFIGS. 3, 4, the eyeball members40have a semi-spherical shape. An opening portion40bis formed in a center or an apex portion of each of the eyeball members40so as to ensure the field of vision of the wearer when he or she wears the eyeglasses toy10. A concentric annular step portion40cis formed on an outer circumference of the opening portion40b, which serves to represent an eyeball pattern more prominently.

Flat surfaces40dare formed at both ends of each of the eyeball members40. A guided portion41is formed on each of the flat surfaces40in such a way as to be folded back to the front into a hook-like shape. An outer guided portion41ais inserted into the corresponding shaft support portion228fof the fixed eyelid member228. An opposite guided portion41b, which lies opposite to the guided portion41a(that is, an inner guided portion) is inserted into the corresponding shaft support portion228iof the fixed eyelid member228. By doing so, the shaft portions30b,30cwhich are supported by the shaft support portions228f,228iare prevented from being dislocated therefrom.

Two fixing portions42are formed individually at end edges of each of the eyeball members40so as to project outwards. The fixing portions42are disposed so as to match the two bosses228jof each of the fixed eyelid members228. Front surfaces of the fixing portions42are brought into abutment with end faces of the bosses228j. Consequently, the eyeball members40are fixed to the fixed eyelid members228by screwing wood screws, not shown, from the rear of the fixing portions42.

The temple members24are connected to the rim member22via corresponding hinge members50. More specifically, the hinge members50are each formed substantially into a shell shape, and a shaft support portion51is formed at a rear end of each of the hinge members50. The shaft support portion51has a fitting portion51awhich is formed so as to hold rotatably a cylindrical shaft which is fitted therein. On the other hand, shaft portions24aare formed individually at front ends of the temple members24which are formed long. The shaft portions24aare held rotatably by the shaft support portions51via the fitting portions51a. By doing so, the temple members24are made to be folded up freely relative to the rim member22.

Two fixing portions52are formed on each of the hinge members50, and a boss abutment portion52ais provided in an interior of each of the fixing portions52. The bosses223of the frame shaped rim221are brought into abutment with the boss abutment portions52a, so that the hinge member50is fixed to the frame shaped rim221with wood screws, not shown. As this occurs, the rotation transmission portion31and the torsional coil spring32are accommodated in an interior of the hinge member50.

A guide portion241is formed on an inner side of each of the temple ember24at a front and slightly lower portion thereof. The guide portion241is formed of three guides241a,241b,241ceach having a substantially C-shaped annular section. The guides241a,241b,241care disposed so as to be aligned along a longitudinal direction of the temple member24. The string60is passed through the guides241a,241b,241c. The string60is passed through anyone of the guides241a,241b,241cto change a distance from the chin of the wearer of the eyeglasses toy10which functions as an operating point to the string locking portion31bwhere the string60is locked, whereby a stroke of the string60which rotates the rotational eyelid member30can be controlled. For example, when a child whose face is relatively small wears the eyeglasses toy10, the child can enjoy playing with the eyeglasses toy10by passing the string60only through the guide241aat the front end. On the contrary, when an adult whose face is relatively large wears the eyeglasses toy10, by passing the string60through all of the three guides241a,241b,241c, the rotational eyelid member30can be rotated smoothly.

The rotational eyelid member30rotates on the rotational shafts30b,30c. Here,FIG. 5Ashows a state in which the spherical surface portion40aof the eyeball member40is exposed, andFIG. 5Bshows a state in which the spherical surface portion40aof the eyeball member40is covered by the rotational eyelid member30. InFIGS. 5A, 5B, the hinge member50is omitted from illustration. Then, the eyeglasses toy10is worn as shown inFIG. 6. In this embodiment, the left string61and the right string62are fastened together into the chin locked portion65. However, a detachable fastening member may be used to join the left string61and the right string62together.

Then, as shown inFIG. 7, when the wearer opens his or her mouth, the strings60are moved downwards by an amount equal to an amount by which a lower end of the chin is moved downwards. Then, as indicated by an arrow inFIG. 5B, the string60is pulled to the rear. As this occurs, the rotation transmission portion31rotates against the biasing force of the torsional coil spring32. Then, the rotational eyelid member30rotates so as to cover the spherical surface portion40aof the eyeball member40. The rotation of the rotational eyelid member30is restricted as a result of the arc-shaped projection30dbeing brought into abutment with the edge of the lower spherical surface portion228b. Then, since the rotational eyelid member30is biased by the torsional coil spring32in the direction in which the rotational eyelid member30exposes the spherical surface portion40aof the eyeball member40, when the wearer closes his or her mouth as shown inFIG. 6, the eyeglasses toy10is returned to the state shown inFIG. 5A. As this occurs, the rotation of the rotational eyelid member30is restricted as a result of the arc-shaped projection30dbeing brought into abutment with the edge of the upper spherical surface portion228a.

In this way, according to the eyeglasses toy10, the rotational eyelid members30can be rotated as the wearer opens his or her mouth, and therefore, the eyeglasses toy10can be operated in such a way that the eyes are opened and closed quickly and repeatedly as the mouth is opened and closed. Consequently, the change in appearance of the eyeglasses toy10is synchronized with the change in facial expression of the wearer of the eyeglasses toy10, whereby the wearer can enjoy entertaining viewers.

In the eyeglasses toy10, the fixed eyelid members228each including the spherical surface portions228a,228bare formed, and the rotational eyelid members30rotate between the fixed eyelid members228of the eyeball members40. By adopting this configuration, the eyeglasses toy10can produce a more comical facial expression. Then, the torsional coil springs32and the rotational transmission portions31where the torsional coil springs32are locked are accommodated in the interiors of the hinge members50which are positioned on the sides of the eyes. By adopting this configuration, the torsional coil springs32and the rotation transmission portions31can be covered with the hinge members50.

Thus, while the embodiment of the invention has been described heretofore, the invention is not limited by the embodiment and hence can be modified variously. For example, in this embodiment, while the strings60are fastened together at the chin to function as the operating members, the invention is not limited thereto. Thus, if they can be worn on the chin of the wearer of the eyeglasses toy10, molded parts can be used to connect the strings60.