Abstract:
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.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    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 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to an eyeglasses toy configured to be used in a performance for entertainment. 
       Description of the Related Art 
       [0003]    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. 
         [0004]    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 
       [0005]    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. 
         [0006]    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. 
         [0007]    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. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an eyeglasses toy according to an embodiment of the invention as viewed from a front left upper position. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the eyeglasses toy according to the embodiment of the invention as viewed from a rear right upper position. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the eyeglasses toy according to the embodiment of the invention as viewed from a front upper position. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the eyeglasses toy according to the embodiment of the invention as viewed from a rear lower position. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5A  is a side view of the eyeglasses toy according to the embodiment of the invention with a hinge member removed therefrom, showing a rotating operation of a rotational eyelid member performed to expose an eyeball member. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5B  is a side view of the eyeglasses toy according to the embodiment of the invention with the hinge member removed therefrom, showing a rotating operation of the rotational eyelid member performed to cover the eyeball member. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a front view of the eyeglasses toy according to the embodiment of the invention, showing a state in which the eyeglasses toy is operated to expose the eyeball members. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a front view of the eyeglasses toy according to the embodiment of the invention, showing a state in which the eyeglasses toy is operated to cover the eyeball members. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0016]    Hereinafter, an embodiment of the invention will be described based on the drawings. An eyeglasses toy  10  shown in  FIG. 1  is a toy reproducing a pair of eyeglasses in which a left string  61  and a right string  62 , which are strings  60  functioning as operating members, are fastened together to make up a chin locked portion  65  (refer to  FIGS. 6 and 7 ) which is wrapped around the chin of a wearer of the eyeglasses toy  10  so that rotational eyelid members  30  are rotated to entertain viewers as a result of the mouth of the wearer being opened (that is, the strings  60  being 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 toy  10  when it is worn. Additionally, directions indicated by front, rear, up and down denote front, rear, up and down directions resulting when the eyeglasses toy  10  is worn. 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the eyeglasses toy  10  as viewed from a front left upper position.  FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the eyeglasses toy  10  as viewed from a rear right upper position.  FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the eyeglasses toy  10  as viewed from a front upper position.  FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the eyeglasses toy  10  as viewed from a rear lower position. 
         [0018]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 to 4 , an eyeglasses frame  20  includes a rim member  22  and two temple members  24 . As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the rim member  22  includes frame-shaped rims  221  which are connected by a bridge portion  225  and fixed eyelid members  228 . Each frame-shaped rim  221  has a slit  222  which is formed at an outer end portion. The slit  222  is formed in a front-to-rear direction. Consequently, each frame-shaped rim  221  has a substantially C-like annular external shape when seen from the front. Each frame-shaped rim  221  has a cylindrical portion  221   a  which has a C-like annular cylindrical shape and an annular projecting portion  221   b  which projects from a front end of the cylindrical portion  221   a  radially inwards into a C-like annular shape. Two step portions  221   c  are formed on an outer surface of each cylindrical portion  221   a  at locations which hold the slit  222  therebetween so that an end portion of the cylindrical portion  221   a  where the slit  222  is formed has a recessed shape. One boss  223  is provided on each step portion  221   c  so as to rise therefrom. In addition, three bosses  224  (all of which are not shown) are formed on an inner circumferential surface of each cylindrical portion  221   a  so as to be disposed at substantially equal intervals in a circumferential direction. 
         [0019]    The cylindrical portions  221   a  of the frame-shaped rims  221  are connected together by the bridge portion  225  having 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 portions  221   c  are formed). A pad portion  221   a   1  is formed on an outer circumferential surface of each cylindrical portion  221   a  in a position which lies near to and slightly lower than the bridge portion  225  so as to project to the rear. 
         [0020]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the fixed eyelid member  228  is fixed in place within a frame of each frame-shaped rim  221 . Each fixed eyelid member  228  has an upper and lower spherical surface portions  228   a ,  228   b  which are formed at an upper and lower portions of the fixed eyelid member  228 , respectively. The spherical surface portions  228   a ,  228   b  are 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 portions  228   a ,  228   b  are formed into a shape resulting when a spherical body is cut into segments. As shown in  FIG. 4  particularly, a substantially semi-circular outer circumferential arc portion  228   c  is formed on an outer circumference of a proximal end portion of the lower spherical surface portion  228   b  so as to project in a radial direction. As shown in  FIG. 3  particularly, the outer surface of the upper spherical surface portion  228   a  continues to an outer surface of the outer circumferential arc portion  228   c . Consequently, a step portion  228   c   1  is formed between the outer surface of the lower spherical surface portion  228   b  and the outer surface of the outer circumferential arc portion  228   c.    
         [0021]    Flange portions  228   d  are formed individually along proximal end portions of the upper spherical surface portions  228   a  and the outer circumferential arc portions  228   c . Three boss fixing portions  228   e  are provided on a rear surface of each flange portion  228   d  so as to rise to the rear therefrom, and the three boss fixing portions  228   e  are disposed at substantially equal angular intervals in a circumferential direction when seen from the rear. A substantially semi-cylindrical boss accommodating portion  228   e   1  is formed on a front side of each boss fixing portion  228   e . A cylindrical boss abutment portion  228   e   2  is formed on a rear side of each boss fixing portion  228   e  at a portion corresponding to a rear end portion of the boss accommodating portion  228   e   1 . A diameter of the boss abutment portion  228   e   2  is made smaller than an outside diameter of the boss accommodating portion  228   e   1 . 
         [0022]    The boss fixing portions  228   e  and the bosses  224  of the frame-shaped rim  221  are disposed so as to face each other. Then, in attaching the fixed eyelid member  228  to the frame shaped rim  221 , the bosses  224  are accommodated in the boss accommodating portions  228   e   1  of the boss fixing portions  228   e , and end faces of the bosses  224  are brought into abutment with front end faces of the boss abutment portions  228   e   2 . As this occurs, a front surface of the flange portion  228   d  is brought into abutment with a rear surface of the annular projecting portion  221   b  of the frame shaped rim  221 . Then, for example, wood screws, not shown, are screwed into holes in the boss fixing portions  228   e  from the rear of the boss abutment portions  228   e   2  of the fix fixing portions  228   e , whereby the fixed eyelid member  228  can be fixed to the frame shaped rim  221 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , when the fixed eyelid member  228   e  is fixed to the frame shaped rim  221 , the spherical surface portion  228   a  projects to the front from an upper portion of the frame shaped rim  221 , and the spherical surface portion  228   b  projects to the front from a lower portion of the frame shaped rim  221 . 
         [0023]    In addition, as shown in  FIG. 4 , two cylindrical bosses  228   j  are formed on the rear surface of the flange portion  228   d  of each fixed eyelid member  228  so as to extend to the rear. A shaft support portion  228   f  is formed at an outer end of each fixed eyelid member  228  by cutting out the outer end of the fixed eyelid member  228  from the flange portion  228   d  to the front into a U-like shape as seen from the side. The outer end of the fixed eyelid member  228  is formed into a flat surface  228   g , and a spring accommodating and locking portion  228   h  is formed on the flat surface  228   g  around the shaft support portion  228   f  so as to rise into a substantially C-like annular shape. A substantially C-shaped annular cut-out portion of the spring accommodating and locking portion  228   h  matches the shaft support portion  228   f . Further, a shaft support portion  228   i  having a U-like groove shape whose longitudinal direction follows the front-to-rear direction is formed on an inner surface of the fixed eyelid member  228  which faces the shaft support portion  228   f.    
         [0024]    In addition, as shown in  FIG. 1 , an eyeball member  40  is disposed in each of the frame shaped rims  221  of the rim member  22 . Then, the rotational eyelid member  30  is provided rotatably so as to cover and expose a spherical surface portion  40   a  of each of the eyeball members  40 . 
         [0025]    As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , each of the rotational eyelid members  30  is 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 members  30  are formed into a shape resulting when a hollow spherical body is cut into segments. An arc-shaped projection  30   d  is formed at a front edge of each of the rotational eyelid members  30  so as to project therefrom into an arc-like shape. A flat surface  30   a  is formed at each end of each of the rotational eyelid members  30 . Cylindrical rotational shafts  30   b  are formed on the facing flat surfaces  30   a  of each of the rotational eyelid members  30  so as to project into a cylindrical shape. A cylindrical rotational shaft  30   c  is formed on each of the flat surfaces  30   a  which face in opposite directions (that is, on the outer flat surfaces  30   a ). 
         [0026]    A rotation transmission portion  31  is formed at an end portion of each of the rotational shafts  30   c . The rotation transmission portion  31  has a string locking portion  31   b  which projects from an outer circumference of a cylindrical main body tube  31   a  and a spring locking portion  31   c  which projects radially outwards from the outer circumference of the main body tube  31   a  into a plate shape. A torsional coil spring  32 , which is a biasing member, is provided on the outer circumference of each of the main body tubes  31   a  between the spring locking portion  31   c  and the flat surface  30   a . One of legs of each of the torsional coil springs  32  is brought into abutment with the spring locking portion  31   c  and is then locked thereon. 
         [0027]    The rotational shafts  30   b  of the rotational eyelid members  30  are supported rotatably in the shaft support portions  228   i  which are provided on the inner surfaces of the ends of the fixed eyelid members  228  which face each other. On the other hand, the rotational shafts  30   c  of the rotational eyelid members  30  are supported rotatably in the shaft supports portions  228   f  which lie at the respective outer ends of the fixed eyelid members  228 . Then, the torsional coil springs  32  are accommodated in the spring accommodating and locking portions  228   h , and the other legs of the torsional coil springs  32  are locked individually in the spring accommodating and locking portions  228   h . On the other hand, as has been described above, the one leg of each of the torsional coil springs  32  is brought into abutment with the spring locking portion  31   c  so as to be locked therein. Consequently, the rotational eyelid members  30  are biased by the torsional coil springs  32  in a direction in which the arc-shaped projections  30   d  are brought into abutment with edges of the upper spherical surface portions  228   a  (that is, in a direction in which the spherical surface portions  40   a  of the eyeball members  40  are exposed). 
         [0028]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the eyeball members  40  are fixed in place in the rim member  22  (specifically speaking, the fixed eyelid members  228 ) so that the spherical surface portions  40   a  project to the front from the rim member  22 . Then, the eyeball members  40  are disposed underneath the rotational eyelid members  30 . In other words, the rotational eyelid members  30  are disposed so as to rotate between the eyeball members  40  and the fixed eyelid members  228 . As shown in  FIGS. 3, 4 , the eyeball members  40  have a semi-spherical shape. An opening portion  40   b  is formed in a center or an apex portion of each of the eyeball members  40  so as to ensure the field of vision of the wearer when he or she wears the eyeglasses toy  10 . A concentric annular step portion  40   c  is formed on an outer circumference of the opening portion  40   b , which serves to represent an eyeball pattern more prominently. 
         [0029]    Flat surfaces  40   d  are formed at both ends of each of the eyeball members  40 . A guided portion  41  is formed on each of the flat surfaces  40  in such a way as to be folded back to the front into a hook-like shape. An outer guided portion  41   a  is inserted into the corresponding shaft support portion  228   f  of the fixed eyelid member  228 . An opposite guided portion  41   b , which lies opposite to the guided portion  41   a  (that is, an inner guided portion) is inserted into the corresponding shaft support portion  228   i  of the fixed eyelid member  228 . By doing so, the shaft portions  30   b ,  30   c  which are supported by the shaft support portions  228   f ,  228   i  are prevented from being dislocated therefrom. 
         [0030]    Two fixing portions  42  are formed individually at end edges of each of the eyeball members  40  so as to project outwards. The fixing portions  42  are disposed so as to match the two bosses  228   j  of each of the fixed eyelid members  228 . Front surfaces of the fixing portions  42  are brought into abutment with end faces of the bosses  228   j . Consequently, the eyeball members  40  are fixed to the fixed eyelid members  228  by screwing wood screws, not shown, from the rear of the fixing portions  42 . 
         [0031]    The temple members  24  are connected to the rim member  22  via corresponding hinge members  50 . More specifically, the hinge members  50  are each formed substantially into a shell shape, and a shaft support portion  51  is formed at a rear end of each of the hinge members  50 . The shaft support portion  51  has a fitting portion  51   a  which is formed so as to hold rotatably a cylindrical shaft which is fitted therein. On the other hand, shaft portions  24   a  are formed individually at front ends of the temple members  24  which are formed long. The shaft portions  24   a  are held rotatably by the shaft support portions  51  via the fitting portions  51   a . By doing so, the temple members  24  are made to be folded up freely relative to the rim member  22 . 
         [0032]    Two fixing portions  52  are formed on each of the hinge members  50 , and a boss abutment portion  52   a  is provided in an interior of each of the fixing portions  52 . The bosses  223  of the frame shaped rim  221  are brought into abutment with the boss abutment portions  52   a , so that the hinge member  50  is fixed to the frame shaped rim  221  with wood screws, not shown. As this occurs, the rotation transmission portion  31  and the torsional coil spring  32  are accommodated in an interior of the hinge member  50 . 
         [0033]    A guide portion  241  is formed on an inner side of each of the temple ember  24  at a front and slightly lower portion thereof. The guide portion  241  is formed of three guides  241   a ,  241   b ,  241   c  each having a substantially C-shaped annular section. The guides  241   a ,  241   b ,  241   c  are disposed so as to be aligned along a longitudinal direction of the temple member  24 . The string  60  is passed through the guides  241   a ,  241   b ,  241   c . The string  60  is passed through anyone of the guides  241   a ,  241   b ,  241   c  to change a distance from the chin of the wearer of the eyeglasses toy  10  which functions as an operating point to the string locking portion  31   b  where the string  60  is locked, whereby a stroke of the string  60  which rotates the rotational eyelid member  30  can be controlled. For example, when a child whose face is relatively small wears the eyeglasses toy  10 , the child can enjoy playing with the eyeglasses toy  10  by passing the string  60  only through the guide  241   a  at the front end. On the contrary, when an adult whose face is relatively large wears the eyeglasses toy  10 , by passing the string  60  through all of the three guides  241   a ,  241   b ,  241   c , the rotational eyelid member  30  can be rotated smoothly. 
         [0034]    The rotational eyelid member  30  rotates on the rotational shafts  30   b ,  30   c . Here,  FIG. 5A  shows a state in which the spherical surface portion  40   a  of the eyeball member  40  is exposed, and  FIG. 5B  shows a state in which the spherical surface portion  40   a  of the eyeball member  40  is covered by the rotational eyelid member  30 . In  FIGS. 5A, 5B , the hinge member  50  is omitted from illustration. Then, the eyeglasses toy  10  is worn as shown in  FIG. 6 . In this embodiment, the left string  61  and the right string  62  are fastened together into the chin locked portion  65 . However, a detachable fastening member may be used to join the left string  61  and the right string  62  together. 
         [0035]    Then, as shown in  FIG. 7 , when the wearer opens his or her mouth, the strings  60  are 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 in  FIG. 5B , the string  60  is pulled to the rear. As this occurs, the rotation transmission portion  31  rotates against the biasing force of the torsional coil spring  32 . Then, the rotational eyelid member  30  rotates so as to cover the spherical surface portion  40   a  of the eyeball member  40 . The rotation of the rotational eyelid member  30  is restricted as a result of the arc-shaped projection  30   d  being brought into abutment with the edge of the lower spherical surface portion  228   b . Then, since the rotational eyelid member  30  is biased by the torsional coil spring  32  in the direction in which the rotational eyelid member  30  exposes the spherical surface portion  40   a  of the eyeball member  40 , when the wearer closes his or her mouth as shown in  FIG. 6 , the eyeglasses toy  10  is returned to the state shown in  FIG. 5A . As this occurs, the rotation of the rotational eyelid member  30  is restricted as a result of the arc-shaped projection  30   d  being brought into abutment with the edge of the upper spherical surface portion  228   a.    
         [0036]    In this way, according to the eyeglasses toy  10 , the rotational eyelid members  30  can be rotated as the wearer opens his or her mouth, and therefore, the eyeglasses toy  10  can 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 toy  10  is synchronized with the change in facial expression of the wearer of the eyeglasses toy  10 , whereby the wearer can enjoy entertaining viewers. 
         [0037]    In the eyeglasses toy  10 , the fixed eyelid members  228  each including the spherical surface portions  228   a ,  228   b  are formed, and the rotational eyelid members  30  rotate between the fixed eyelid members  228  of the eyeball members  40 . By adopting this configuration, the eyeglasses toy  10  can produce a more comical facial expression. Then, the torsional coil springs  32  and the rotational transmission portions  31  where the torsional coil springs  32  are locked are accommodated in the interiors of the hinge members  50  which are positioned on the sides of the eyes. By adopting this configuration, the torsional coil springs  32  and the rotation transmission portions  31  can be covered with the hinge members  50 . 
         [0038]    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 strings  60  are 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 toy  10 , molded parts can be used to connect the strings  60 .