TOUCH-RESPONSIVE DOLL HAVING ARM MOTION

Abstract: A doll (10) having a soft plush body supports a drive mechanism (60) within the torso (11). A pair of arms (13, 14) are pivotally supported upon the torso (11) and are coupled to the drive mechanism (60) by a pair of slip cam devices. The slip cam devices operate to impart arm motion in accordance with the number and placement of the cams (92, 111) within the slip cam devices. A momentun sensor (96) within the torso (11) activates the drive mechanism (60) in response to touches or impacts upon the doll.

Description: TOUCH-RESPONSIVE DOLL HAVING ARM MOTION SPECIFICATION Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to dolls and toy figures and particularly to those utilizing a battery power drive mechanism and apparatus for moving the doll or toy figure's limbs. Background of the Invention Touch-responsive toys and dolls are well known in the art and typically comprise one of two types of touch-responsive action. The first senses impact or movement of the toy figure while the second senses touching, petting or squeezing. Both types of touch- responsive dolls and toy figures utilize a drive motor powered by a plurality of internal batteries and a moving or articulating mechanism. The difference between the two types of touch-responsive toys and dolls is found in the structure of the trigger switch. For impact-type touch-responsive dolls and toys, a motion sensing type switch is utilized to trigger a motor drive operation. To sense such impact or motion, a switch is provided within the doll or toy figure which utilizes a movable contact such as a pendulum, a rolling ball or a slide. Each type of motion or impact switch functions in a generally similar manner in that the movable element is normally at rest away from a triggering contact and responds with relative motion within the switch structure when the switch is disturbed by motion of or impacts against the doll or toy figure. In contrast, touch responsive dolls or toy figures which respond to pushing or squeezing or other pressure-related types of action, often include a stress-responsive type switch. Thus, in a typical squeeze action doll, a switch structure using a spring, a movable element and a fixed element will be triggered by force upon the movable element as the user presses upon the doll or toy figure. An alternative to the movable element type pressure switch is found in the use of piezoelectric devices positioned within the interior of the doll or toy figure. Such piezoelectric devices have the property of outputting an electrical signal in response to stress or force imposed upon and deforming the switch. Touch-responsive toys of both types have been particularly well adapted to dolls and toy figures for infants or very young children. In most instances, such toys are formed as plush toys or other generally softer bodied types of fabrication. A further variation on the touch-responsive type of toy is found in toys exhibiting a timed cycle once triggered which activates the motor drive for a predetermined time and thereafter terminates operation awaiting the next trigger input. In a still further variant, many such battery-powered toys employ a "sleep" which, in the absence of a trigger or stimulus for a predetermined interval, shuts down many of the functions within the toy until the next impact or stimulation is received. Notsurprisingly , the extensive popularity of such touch-responsive toys has prompted practitioners in the art to incorporate this feature within a variety of dolls and toy figures. For example, U.S. Patent 5,141,464 issued to Stern, et al. sets forth a TOUCH- RESPONSIVE ANIMATED TOY FIGURE having a body resembling a four-legged animal such as a dog within which a battery-powered motor-driven gear system actuates a pivoting head and extending tongue mechanism. A sensor located on the outer portion of the plush figure is operatively coupled to the motor control causing the initiation of an operative cycle for a predetermined interval each time the sensor is touched or manipulated. U.S. Patent 5,211,282 issued to Ting sets forth a SQUEEZE SWITCH for use in plush toys in which a housing comprised of upper and lower sections secured by protrusions which utilizes springs and a pair of contacts responding to squeezing of the toy figure. U.S. Patent 4,973,941 issued to Davis, et al. sets forth a ELECTRONIC SOUND GENERATING DEVICE having a two-piece housing, a lower casing and a lid. A contact switch in the form of a conductive rubber cup is received at the lower casing together with a sound circuit. To activate the device, the touch plate is pushed inwardly into the housing causing the circuit board within the housing to move toward the contact switch. U.S. Patent 4,936,780 issued to Cogliano sets forth a TOUCH SENSOR ALPHA-NUMERIC BLOCKS for teaching children the correct sounds of each letter in the English language as well as rudimentary words. The touching or depressing of a surface of the block produces a sound corresponding to this facet. U.S. Patent 4,820,236 issued to Berliner, et al. sets forth a DOLL WITH SENSING SWITCH having a flexible sensor which is captured in a doll near the surface thereof which will emit an electrical signal when subjected to bending or pressure to indicate that this part of the doll is being touched or manipulated. The sensor uses a film having piezoelectric properties to generate a signal when subjected to such forces. Λ U.S. Patent 5,356,326 issued to Ting sets forth a SHAKING TOY having a cage housing within which a toy figure such as a monkey is suspended in a pivotal attachment. As the figures swings back and forth in response to drive apparatus, a shaking of the toy figure and cage housing is produced. U.S. Patent 5,324,225 issued to Satoh, et al. sets forth an INTERACTIVE TOY FIGURE WITH SOUND- ACTIVATED AND PRESSURE-ACTIVATED SWITCHES having a plush toy figure resembling a cat within which a mechanism housing is supported having drive means which are coupled to a skeletal member extending into the cat's tail. As the drive mechanism within the housing is actuated in response to either pressure or sound, the mechanism manipulates the tail skeleton to give a realistic appearance of a live cat. U.S. Patent 4,696,653 issued to McKeefery sets forth a SPEAKING TOY DOLL which responds with spoken words and/or sentences to the touching of selected portions of the doll by a user. Specific areas of the doll such as eyes, ears, nose, etc. are provided with touch switches which activate as the child touches that particular body portion. The sounds produced are associated with the particular sensor and therefore particular body area which is touched. U.S. Patent 4,464,861 issued to Fogarty, et al. sets forth a PLUSH TOY having a main body stem surrounded by a caterpillar-like soft plush body and a head having a translucent portion on the upper end thereof. A sensor within the plush body responds to squeezing pressure to activate a light within the translucent portion of the head causing a light glow. U.S. Patent 4,305,223 issued to Ho sets forth a MAGIC EYEBALL which is illuminated and used in toys. The eyeball comprises a plurality of light-emitting diodes and responds to a power apparatus for supplying electrical energy to the diodes. The electrical energy coupling between the power source and the light-emitting diodes is provided by a plurality of touch-responsive switches within the figure. U.S. Patent 4,775,351 issued to Provenzano, Jr. sets forth a WIGGLING' FISH AMUSEMENT AND NOVELTY DEVICE having a resilient fish-shaped body within which a motor drive and battery power are supported. An eccentric cam supporting shaft extends into the fish's tail and is configured such that rotation of the shaft causes the fish to wiggle. U.S. Patent 4,867,726 issued to a Fujimaki sets forth ANIMAL TOYS capable of electrically producing sound and/or body movements. The animal toys are switched on and off by a pair of spaced apart electrical contacts disposed on a bottom surface thereof. When the toy is placed in a user's hand, the contacts are bridged by the user's skin and the toy is activated. U.S. Patent 5,267,886 issued to Wood, et al. sets forth a MULTIPLE ACTION PLUSH TOY having a plush body formed to replicate a dog and supporting a flashlight in one front leg thereof. A plurality of flashing lights and mechanisms for actuating them are supported about the exterior of the plush figure. A plurality of squeeze-actuated switches are also supported within the figure's body which respond to squeezing pressure and trigger some or all of the lights. U.S. Patent 5,316,516 issued to Saitoh set forth an ANIMATED SINGING TOY BIRD WITH EXTERNAL STIMULUS SENSOR having a sound circuit operative in response to an external stimulus which may be responsive to sound, light and the like. U.S. Patent 5,501,627 issued to Ekstein sets forth a CHILDREN'S TOY WITH PEEK-A-BOO ACTIVATION having a doll which supports a speech system for audibilizing words and sounds activated by a plurality of light responsive sensors on the exterior of the figure. While the foregoing described prior art devices have improved the art and in some instances enjoyed commercial success, there remains nonetheless a continuing need in the art for evermore improved, interesting and economically manufacturable touch responsive toys and dolls. Summary of the Invention Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved doll or toy figure. It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide an improved doll or toy figure which utilizes a touch-responsive feature. It is a still more particular object of the present invention to provide an improved doll or toy figure which operates in a generally prone position. In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a doll comprising: a torso, a head, first and second arms and a pair of legs; means pivotally supporting the arms; motor drive means supported within the torso for producing rotational power; a first slip-cam coupling the motor drive means to the first arm operative to pivot the first arm through a range of motion from a rest position to a raised position and thereafter releasing the first arm; and a first spring coupled to the means pivotally supporting the arms producing a return force urging the first arm toward the rest position. Brief Description of the Drawings The features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in the several figures of which like reference numerals identify like elements and in which: Figure 1 sets forth a perspective view of a touch-responsive doll constructed in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 sets forth a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention touch- responsive doll; Figure 3 sets forth a partial section view of the arm moving mechanism of the present invention touch- responsive doll; Figure 4 sets forth a top sectioned view of the motor drive apparatus for the arms of the present invention touch-responsive doll; and Figure 5 sets forth a section view of the present invention touch-responsive doll taken along section lines 5-5 in Figure 4. Description of the Preferred Embodiments Figure 1 sets forth a perspective view of a doll constructed in accordance with the present invention and generally referenced by numeral 10. By way of overview, doll 10 is fabricated of a soft padded plush material having a rotocast plastic head 12 and a torso 11. An operative mechanism is housed within torso 11 and includes a plurality of batteries, a drive motor, and a slip cam operating system coupling the motor to arms 13 and 14 of doll 10. Thus, doll 10 is typically operated in the position shown in Figure 1 in which both the head and feet of the doll are raised and the doll is balanced on a back side surface 22. More specifically, doll 10 includes a plush torso 11 supporting a pair of pivotally secured arms 13 and 14 having respective hands 20 and 19. Hand 19 support a rattle 19. Torso 11 defines a supporting rear surface 22 which supports doll 10 in a raised feet, raised head position as shown upon surface 17. In accordance with the preferred fabrication of the present invention, the drive mechanism and battery combination are positioned closed to the interior of surface 22 to maintain the stability of doll 10 in the raised head and raised leg configuration. The operative mechanism within torso 11 which is coupled to arms 13 and 14 is set forth below in Figures 3, 4 and 5 in greater detail. However, suffice it to note here that doll 10 initially lies upon surface 17 as shown with arms 13 and 14 extended upwardly but not moving. Upon an impact or touch against any part of doll 10 sufficient to disturb the motion sensing switch within the operative mechanism (switch 96 in Figure 4), the battery-powered drive mechanism within torso 11 operates to move arms 13 and 14 up and down in the directions indicated by arrows 30 and 31 respectively. In further accordance with the operation of the drive apparatus described below, doll 10 then operates moving arms 13 and 14 up and down in pivotal motion with respect to torso 11 for a predetermined cycle interval afterwhich doll 10 again returns to the inactive state and awaits the next impact or momentary touching sufficient to actuate the motion-sensing switch. Figure 2 sets forth a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention doll generally referenced by numeral 40. Doll 40 is similar to doll 10 with a different aesthetic characteristic. Thus, doll 40 includes a torso 41 supporting a head 42 together with arms 45 and 43. Doll 40 further includes a pair of legs 48 and 49 substantially identical to legs 16 and 15 of doll 10 seen in Figure 1. Arm 43 supports a hand 44 while arm 45 supports a hand 56. Torso 41 defines a resting surface 53 which supports doll 40 upon a surface 47 in the raised leg and raised head position shown. A blanket 50 includes an upper portion 51 secured to hands 44 and 46 using conventional attachment techniques such as adhesives or hook and loop fabric attachment pads (not shown) . The essential function of blanket 50 is to be loosely draped upon the upper surface of doll 40 and using conventional fabrication techniques secured to hands 44 and 46. In the operation of doll 40, arms 44 and 45 are moved through an operative cycle which differs from the cycle provided by doll 10. As is set forth below in greater detail, the movement created within dolls 10 and 40 is determined by the placement and number of cooperating cam lobes within the drive mechanism. Thus, a substantial flexibility of arm movement cycles is readily provided by the present invention doll. In operation, with upper portion 51 of blanket 50 secured to hands 44 and 46 as shown, a touch or impact against doll 40 triggers the motion sensing switch and drive mechanism of the doll (seen in Figure 4) which in turn pivots arms 43 and 45 with respect to torso 41 in a motion in which upper portion 51 of blanket 50 is slowly raised to cover all or part of the frontal area of head 42. Thereafter, the drive mechanism allows arms 43 and 45 to be stationary for a moment and then snap downwardly in a rapid "peek-a-boo" movement. This cycle is repeated for a predetermined time and in the absence of further touching or moving of doll 40 terminates the operation of the doll to save battery power . Figure 3 sets forth a section view of the drive mechanism of the present invention doll taken along section lines 3-3 in Figure 4. As mentioned above, doll 10 and doll 40 are both fabricated in substantially the same manner and both generally include a soft padded plush body within which a drive mechanism is supported. Accordingly, a drive mechanism 60 configured to be received within torso 11 of doll 10 (seen in Figure 1) and torso 41 of doll 40 (seen in Figure 2) includes a housing 61 preferably formed of a molded plastic material, a control circuit 63 and a plurality of batteries 62. Drive mechanism 60 further includes a motor 70 having an output shaft 71 and an arm shaft 72. Arm shaft 72 is a square cross-section shaft which, as is better seen in Figure 4, is used to couple power through a pair of slip cam mechanisms to arms 13 and 14. A spring bracket 73 defines an aperture 14 which receives arm shaft 72 in a loose relationship allowing arm shaft 72 to rotate independently from spring bracket 73. Spring bracket 73 further includes a spring arm 75 having a notch 76 formed therein. A spring 78 is coupled between notch 76 and a fixed tab 77 formed on housing 61. The function of spring 78 is to provide a spring force bias upon spring arm 75 urging arm 75 in the direction indicated by arrow 80. Within housing 61, a motor 70 having an output shaft 71 is operatively coupled to arm shaft 72 by a gear drive mechanism shown in Figure 4. Suffice it to note here that control circuit 63, motor 70 and batteries 62 are operatively coupled to provide the touch- responsive cyclical operation of the present invention dolls. Thus, control circuit 63 responds to activation of momentum switch 96 (seen in Figure 4) to energize motor 70 using power from battery 62 which results in rotation of arm shaft 72. As is described below in Figure 4 in greater detail, the rotational coupling between motor 70 and arm shaft 72 is provided by the gear drive mechanism of Figure 4. In addition and as is also set forth in Figure 4, arm 14 is coupled to arm shaft 72 by a slip cam. Thus, in operation as an impact or touch sufficient to start the cycle of the drive mechanism is sensed within the doll, control circuit 63 energizes motor 70 producing rotational power at output shaft 71. The gears means and slip cam structure set forth in Figure 4 below cause pivotal movement of spring bracket 73 (and arm 14 therewith) in the direction indicated by arrow 79. The pivotal movement of bracket 73 carries spring arm 75 in the direction of arrow 79 overcoming the force of spring 78. Spring 78 is coupled between notch 76 of spring arm 75 and a tab 77 supported on housing 61. Thus, as spring bracket 73 and arm 14 pivot against the force of spring 78, a point is reached in which the slip cam apparatus set forth below in Figure 4 causes a release of spring bracket 73 and spring arm 75 which allows spring 78 to pivot spring bracket 73 and spring arm 75 rapidly in the direction indicated by arrow 80. As is better seen in Figure 5, the slip cam apparatus operative upon spring bracket 73 to move arm 14 continues to rotate until it is again engaged with spring bracket 73 to repeat the operative cycle of pivotally moving spring bracket 73 and spring arm 75 to pivot arm 14 as shown. In accordance with an important aspect of the present invention and as is better seen below in Figures 4 and 5, the slip cam apparatus of drive mechanism 60 is capable of substantial variation of arm motion. For example, in the slip cam coupled to arm 14, it has been found favorable to utilize a plurality of cam lobes giving arm 14 a corresponding plurality of rapid movements to shake rattle 18 within hand 19. Conversely, arm 13 and hand 20 are moved using a single lobe cam in the manner shown in Figure 5 to provide a pivoting movement which is closer to an upward sweep followed by a downward sweep. In any event, as the movement characteristic is determined for purposes of enhancing doll play value, the slip cam arrangements operative upon arms 13 and 14 may be correspondingly configured using the appropriate number and placement of cam lobes (described below) . It will be noted in the descriptions which follow in connection with Figures 4 and 5 that independent slip cams are operative upon ' each of arms 13 and 14 in response to a common rotational power coupling. Figure 4 sets forth a top section view of drive mechanism 60 together with arms 13 and 14 removed from torso 11 for purposes of describing the operation of drive mechanism 60. As described above, arm 13 supports a hand 20 while arm 14 supports a hand 19 having a rattle 18 joined thereto. In the preferred fabrication of the present invention, rattle 18 is integrally formed with hand 19. As described above, drive mechanism 60 includes a housing 61 supporting a control circuit 63. Housing 61 further supports a motor 70 having an output shaft 71 coupled to a pulley 121. Pulley 121 receives a drive belt 123. Drive mechanism 60 further includes a pulley 124 coupled to pulley 121 by belt 123. Pulley 124 is rotatably supported within housing 61 and is operatively joined to a gear 125. Gear 125 is coupled to a compound gear formed of gears 128 and 129. Gear 129 is coupled to gear 126. Gear 126 is joined to gear 127 and thus rotation of gear 126 correspondingly rotates gear 127. A gear 130 rotatably supported in line with 129 engages gear 127. A gear 110 is supported upon arm shaft 72 in engagement therewith such that rotation of gear 110 produces a corresponding rotation of arm shaft 72. A momentum switch 96 is constructed in accordance with conventional fabrication techniques and includes a movable ball contact 99 which is freely movable within switch 96 to assume a contact bridging position as doll 10 or doll 40 are jostled or touched. The structure of switch 96 may be entirely conventional with the important characteristic thereof being the provision of a trigger switch responsive to movement or momentum which communicates with control circuit 63 by conventional wires (not shown) to initiate an operative cycle for drive mechanism 60. Arms 13 and 14 are pivotally secured at the shoulders of torso 11 (seen in Figure 1) . Drive mechanism 60 includes a center gear 110 which engages gears 130 and which receives a square shaft 72. Shaft 72 is configured in a square cross-section and engages gear 110 such that rotation of either rotates the other . By way of overview, each coupling mechanism from gear 110 to arm 14 or arm 13 utilizes a slip cam arrangement referred to above and described below in greater detail to moves arms 13 and 14 in accordance with a chosen motion profile. Thus, as is seen in Figure 4, a pair of slip cam mechanisms are used in coupling pivotal movement from gear 110 to arms 13 and 14. The proportion of drive mechanism 60 operative upon arm 14 includes an aperture 93 formed in housing 61 which receives a bearing portion 94 to rotatably support a cam plate 90 having a bearing 94 rotatable within aperture 93 together with a flange 95. A spring 81 is captivated between flange 95 and gear 110 and is operative to produce a spring force urging the combined structure of cam plate 90, flange 95, and bearing 94 outwardly toward arm 14. In accordance with an important aspect of the present invention, the integral member formed by cam plate 90, bearing 94 and flange 95 is operatively coupled to shaft 72 such that rotation of shaft 72 produces a corresponding rotation of cam plate 90. In further accordance with the present invention, cam plate 90 supports a pair of outwardly extending cam lobes 91 and 92. Arm 14 is joined to spring bracket 73 and bearing 85 and is, as mentioned above, not engaged by shaft 72. Thus, arm 14 is freely pivotable with respect to shaft 72. Housing 61 defines an aperture 86 which receives bearing 85 in a rotational support. A cam follower plate 87 defining a projecting cam follower 88 is integrally formed with bearing 85 and spring bracket 73. As a result, pivotal movement of cam follower plate 87 causes a correspondingly angular pivotal movement of bearing 85, spring bracket 73, spring arm 75, and arm 14. A shoulder bearing 84 pivotally supports the combined structure of arm 14 and the drive mechanism 60 within torso 11 (seen in Figure 1) . Gear 110 is operatively coupled to arm 13 in a substantially identical slip cam arrangement. Thus, a cam plate 109 and bearing 112 together with a flange 114 are formed of an integral fabrication and are engaged by shaft 72. Bearing 112 is received within an aperture 113 formed in housing 61. Cam plate 109 further supports one or more cam lobes such as cam 111. A spring 115 is captivated between flange 114 and gear 110 to urge the combined structure of cam plate 109, bearing 112 and flange 113 outwardly toward arm 13. In further similarity to the structure described above which drives arm 14, a cam follower plate 107 having a cam follower 108 extending therefrom is joined to a bearing 106 and a spring bracket 116 to form an integral unit. A spring arm 100 extends from spring bracket 116 and defines a notch 101 having a spring 102 coupled thereto. In similarity to spring 78 operative upon spring arm 75, spring 102 is operative upon arm 100 to urge arm 100 downwardly causing a corresponding downward bias upon arm 13. Control circuit 63 is operatively coupled to motor 70 and momentum sensing switch 96 by a plurality of connecting wires (not shown) . In response to sufficient impact or jostling movement of the doll body, switch 96 responds by producing an activate signal which is coupled to control circuit 63. In further response, control circuit 63 operates to couple battery power to motor 70. The operative power applied to motor 70 causes shaft 71 thereof together with pulley 121 to rotate. The coupling of belt 123 to pulley 124 causes pulley 124 to be rotated as pulley 121 rotates. The different diameters of pulleys 121 and 124 produces a speed reduction ratio increasing effective torque and reducing the speed. The rotation of pulley 124 rotates gear 125 which in turn rotates gear 128 and gear 129. Gear 129 is engaged by gear 126 causing rotation of gears 126 and 127. Gear 127 engages gear 130 which in turn engages gear 110 at the center of shaft 72. It will be noticed that the operative power of motor 70 is coupled by the pulley and gear arrangement to gear 110 which is engagingly secured to shaft 72 and is positioned between a pair of slip cam mechanisms operative to move arms 13 and 14. As gear 110 rotates, shaft 72 is correspondingly rotated to cause rotation of cam plate 90 and lobes 91 and 92. The rotation of cam plate 90 continues and a lobe such as lobe 91 is moved into engagement with cam follower 88. Once a lobe supported upon cam plate 90 engages cam follower 88, cam follower plate 87 together with bearing 85 and spring brackets 73 are correspondingly pivoted in the manner shown in Figure 3. The pivotal movement of spring bracket 73 overcomes the force of spring 78 against spring arm 75 allowing arm 14 to pivot. In further accordance with the present invention, cam follower plate 87 defines a stop edge 89 (seen in Figure 5) which contacts a stop member such as stop 55 shown in Figure 5 thereby terminating the rotation of cam follower plate 87. Once cam follower plate 87 is stopped and resists further rotational movement, the torque applied to cam plate 90 and the engaged cam lobe such as lobe 91 against cam follower 88 produces a camming force which overcomes the force of spring 81 and which cams cam plate 90 inwardly toward gear 110. This inward movement results from the incline of surfaces on cam follower 88 and cam lobes such as lobe 91. As the torque continues to be applied to gear 110 and shaft 72, the inward movement of cam plate 90 continues to increase the engaged lobe such as lobe 91 slips past cam follower 88. Once the engaged cam lobe slips past cam follower 88, cam plate 90 and cam follower plate 87 are no longer coupled and as a result cam follower plate 87, bearing 85 and spring bracket 73 are rotated by the return spring force of spring 78. Once again, this action is described above in Figure 3. In addition, as the engaged cam lobe on cam plate 90 passes beyond cam follower 88, spring 81 returns cam plate 90 to its outward position. Thereafter, cam plate 90 continues to be rotated by gear 110 and shaft 72 until the next cam lobe such as lobe 92 encounters cam follower 88. Thereafter, the above-described action is repeated again causing the rotational power applied to gear 110 to grab, pivot and release cam follower plate 87 to impart a pivotal movement of arm 14 which includes a relatively slow upward movement and a relatively quick downward movement. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that while an exemplary set of slip cams is shown in Figures 4 and 5, different motion profiles may be imparted to arms 13 and 14 using different cam lobe arrangements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, in the example of Figure 4, a plurality of cam lobes are preferably formed on cam plate 90 to provide a series of short duration motions to shake rattle 18. Conversely, cam plate 109 supports a single cam lobe 111 which engages a single cam follower 108 to provide a longer stroke pivotal motion of arm 13. More specifically, the operative coupling between gear 110 and arm 13 is substantially identical but for the above-mentioned differences in cam lobe number and placement to the above-described operational mechanism coupling gear 110 to arm 14. Accordingly, an aperture 113 formed in housing 61 rotatably supports a bearing 112 having a flange 114 and a cam plate 109 integrally formed therewith. As with cam plate 90 described above, cam plate 109 is engagedly secured to shaft 72 and is rotatable therewith. A spring 115 urges flange 114 together with bearing 112 and cam plate 109 outwardly to the position shown. The outward mechanism operative upon arm 113 further includes a cam follower plate 107 supported by a bearing 106 within an aperture 105 formed in housing 61. The opposite side of bearing 106 is joined to a bracket 104 which in turn supports an arm 100. In further accordance with the above-described slip cam operation and structure, cam follower plate 107 further includes a cam follower 108. A spring 102 is coupled to arm 100 at a notch 101 formed therein to provide a return spring force. In operation, rotational power imparted to gear 110 and shaft 72 rotates cam plate 109 and cam lobe 111. Because cam follower plate 107 does not engage shaft 72, there is no rotational coupling between shaft 72 and cam follower plate 107. Thus, initially, cam plate 109 rotates without engaging cam follower plate 107 until lobe 111 engages cam follower 108. Once the engagement of cam lobe 111 and cam follower 108 takes place, the continued rotation of gear 110, shaft 72 and cam plate 109 causes a corresponding pivotal movement of cam follower plate 107 overcoming the force of spring 102 and allowing pivotal movement of arm 13. In further similarity to the above-described operation of the slip cam arrangement operative upon arm 14, this rotation continues until a stop edge formed on cam follower plate 107 similar to edge 89 of cam follower plate 87 shown in Figure 5 reaches an internal restriction or travel stop within housing 61 (not shown) thereby terminating the rotation of cam follower plate 107. As torque continues to be applied to cam plate 109 from gear 110 and shaft 72, the angled facets of lobe 111 and cam follower 108 overcome the force of spring 115 causing cam plate 109 to be driven inwardly. As torque continues to build and as cam plate 109 continues to be driven inwardly, a point is reached at which lobe 111 passes beyond cam follower 108 releasing the engagement between cam plate 109 and cam follower plate 107. With this release, spring 102 pivots arm 100 downwardly toward the return position producing a corresponding pivotal movement of arm 113. The resulting mechanism utilizes two oppositely directed slip cam arrangements for moving arms 13 and 14 in independent motion profiles which are determined by their respective slip cam lobe configurations. A single drive mechanism utilizing a simple gear train provides rotational power to the slip cam mechanisms and avoids a great deal of cost and complexity in providing relatively complex movements of arms 13 and 14. Figure 5 sets forth a section view of drive mechanism 60 taken along section lines 5-5 in Figure 4. As described above, toy 10 includes an arm 14 supporting a hand 19 which in turn supports a rattle 18. As is also described above, arm 14 is joined to a spring bracket 73 having a spring arm 75. Spring arm 75 defines a notch 76 which receives one " end of a return spring 78. The remaining end of spring 78 is coupled to a tab 77 formed within housing 61 (not shown) . As is also described above, spring bracket 73 is joined to a cam follower plate 87. Cam follower plate 87 is rotatable in common with spring bracket 73, spring arm 75 and arm 14. Cam follower plate 87 further defines a center aperture 98 through which arm shaft 72 having a square cross-section is passed. In accordance with the preferred operation of the present invention, aperture 98 is sufficiently large to avoid engagement between arm shaft 72 and cam follower plate 87. In further accordance with the present invention, cam follower plate 87 defines an angularly faceted cam follower 88. A stop 55 is formed within housing 61 (seen in Figure 4) and is positioned within the travel path of edge 89 of cam follower plate 87. Also shown in Figure 5, are a plurality of cam lobes 91, 92 and 97 which as is better seen in Figure 4, are supported upon a cam plate. As is also described in Figure 4 above, cam plate 90 supporting lobes 91, 92 and 97 is engaged with and rotatable with arm shaft 72. Thus, the combination of arm 14, spring bracket 73 and cam follower plate 87 are rotatably supported without engagement to shaft 72 while cam plate 90 is operatively coupled to arm shaft 72 and rotatable therewith. The slip cam function of the present invention system provides an action in which the sole engagement for communicating pivotal movement to arm 14 from the drive mechanism utilizes the engagement of cam lobes 91, 92 or 97 against cam follower 88. In operation and assuming arm 14 is positioned in its relaxed position shown in solid-line representation, the energizing of motor 70 (seen in Figure 4) produces rotational power which, in the above-described drive mechanism 60, is communicated to cam plate 90 and cam plate 101 (also seen in Figure 4). In Figure 5, the coupling between cam follower plate 87 and cam plate 90 is shown. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the apparatus shown in Figure 5 is equally descriptive of the engagement between cam plate 109 and cam follower plate 107 (seen in Figure 4). An operational cycle is initiated whenever sufficient touch or impact is applied to the present invention doll to activate the momentum sensor as described above and energize the drive motor. The rotating force of the drive motor ultimately rotates cam plate 90 which in turn rotates cam lobes 91, 92 and 97 in the manner indicated by arrows 135, 136 and 137. The rotation of cam plate 90 continues without engagement of cam follower plate 87 until a cam lobe such as lobe 91 moves into contact with cam follower 88. Thereafter, the engagement between cam follower 88 and lobe 91 causes rotational movement of cam follower plate 87 together with spring bracket 73, spring arm 75 and arm 14. Sufficient torque is applied to overcome the force of spring 78 moving arm 14 to the dashed-line position shown. As cam follower plate 87 rotates, edge 89 is brought into contact with stop 55 which is rigid and thus terminates the rotational motion of cam follower plate 87. With continued application of torque as described above to cam plate 90, the angular facets on cam follower 88 and cam lobe 91 (better seen in Figure 4) force cam plate 90 inwardly as described above allowing lobe 91 to slip past cam follower 88 and disengaging cam follower plate 87 from cam plate 90. In the absence of engagement between a cam lobe and cam follower 88, cam follower plate 87 is freely rotatable and pivots back toward its initial solid- line position under the urging of spring 78. As mentioned above and as will be apparent from comparison of Figures 5 and 4, the motion profile for arm 14 and/or arm 13 may be varied to suit specific needs by the placement and number of cam lobes supported upon cam plate 90. In the example shown in Figure 5 operative upon arm 14 holding rattle 18, the desire is to have a plurality of relatively short pivotal arm motions with sufficient abrupt transitions to cause rattle 18 to be sounded. By way of alternative, arm 13 is driven by cam plate 109 (seen in Figure 4) utilizing a single cam lobe 111 (also shown in Figure 4) . In this arrangement, the extent of arm motion for arm 13 is increased in magnitude and is more uniform between a raised and lowered position. With temporary reference to Figure 2, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above- described "peek-a-boo" movement of blanket 50 provided by doll 40 utilizes a set of substantially identical slip cam arrangements to allow arms 43 and 45 to undergo the desired range and abruptness of movement to play the peek-a-boo game. In applying the present invention slip cam arrangement, it has been found desirable under some circumstances to omit the use of a pivotal stop such as provided by stop 55 against edge 89. In such case, it has been found opportune to utilize a sufficiently strong spring 78 as a return spring and a sufficiently weak biasing spring in place of spring 72 and spring 115 shown in Figure 4 to allow the increase of spring force energy stored in spring 78 as arm 75 pivots upwardly to provide the resisting force by which the engaged cam lobe and cam follower are allowed to slip apart and disengage permitting return motion of the supported arm such as arm 14. In either case, the objective is the provision of arm movement in a predetermined motion profile in response to touch stimulation or impact stimulation of the doll. While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. Therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims: THAT WHICH IS CLAIMED IS: 1. A doll comprising: a torso, a head, first and second arms and a pair of legs; means pivotally supporting said arms; motor drive means supported within said torso for producing rotational power; a first slip-cam coupling said motor drive means to said first arm operative to pivot said first arm through a range of motion from a rest position to a raised position and thereafter releasing said first arm; and a first spring coupled to said means pivotally supporting said arms producing a return force urging said first arm toward said rest position. 2. The doll set forth in claim 1 further including: a second slip-cam coupling said motor drive means to said second arm operative to pivot said second arm through a range of motion from a rest position to a raised position and thereafter releasing said second arm; and a second spring coupled to said means pivotally supporting said arms producing a return force urging said second arm toward said rest position. 3. The doll set forth in claim 2 wherein said first and second slip-cams each include: a cam plate having at least one cam lobe; a cam follower plate having a cam follower extending toward said at least one cam lobe; and spring means urging said cam plate toward said cam follower plate, said cam plate and said cam follower plate being joined to said arm and to said motor drive means. 4. The doll set forth in claim 3 wherein said motor drive means includes a touch-responsive switch for activating said motor when said doll is touched or moved . 5. The doll set forth in claim 4 wherein said torso defines a back side rest surface for resting said doll upon a play surface and wherein said head and legs are raised with respect to said back side rest surface. 6. The doll set forth in claim 1 wherein said first slip cam includes: a cam plate having at least one cam lobe; a cam follower plate having a cam follower extending toward said at least one cam lobe; and spring means urging said cam plate toward said cam follower plate, said cam plate and said cam follower plate being joined to said arm and to said motor drive means. 7. The doll set forth in claim 1 wherein said motor drive means includes a touch-responsive switch for activating said motor when said doll is touched or moved . 8. The doll set forth in claim 1 wherein said torso defines a back side rest surface for resting said doll upon a play surface and wherein said head and legs are raised with respect to said back side rest surface. 9. A doll having a back side, said doll comprising: a torso, a pair of legs, a head and a pair of raised arms, said arms being pivotally supported upon said torso; drive means having a battery-powered motor coupled to said pair of arms for pivoting said arms; and a motion switch activating said battery- powered motor in response to touch or impact upon said doll, said doll lying upon said back side with said arms raised.

Inventors: EWING BRIAN, MCDONALD DONALD L, EWING, BRIAN, MCDONALD, DONALD, L.
Applicants: MATTEL INC, MATTEL, INC.
Application year: 1999
Main classification: A63H13
IPC codes: A63H3, A63H13, G09F19