Abstract:
A toy figure with controlled motorized movements is provided having a head, two arms two legs and a tail which are pivotally and/or rotatably attached to a chassis. Mechanisms and electronics are included to move the head, arms, legs and tail in a variety of play patterns and movements.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application 61/089,622 filed Aug. 18, 2008 and titled “Figure with Controlled Motorized Movements.” 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a figure with controlled motorized movements. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    There have been numerous varieties of children&#39;s toys that are non-interactive and interactive. A continual need for improvements in more realistic play qualities along with improved electronics and mechanics provide for new arrangements which improve or change the play and interaction between the child and the toy. 
         [0004]    Numerous other advantages and features of the invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the embodiments thereof and from the accompanying drawings. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In one or more embodiments of the present invention, a toy figure with controlled motorized movements is provided having a head, two arms and two legs. The head, two arms and two legs are pivotally and/or rotatably attached to a chassis. A first motor secured to the chassis and drives a tail mechanism attached to the chassis with a tail segment rotatably and pivotally attached to the tail mechanism. The tail mechanism also includes a tail linkage with forward and rearward linkage channels. The forward linkage channel is in communication with the inside rim of a tail cam, which is rotated by the first motor. As such, the movement of the forward linkage channel directs movement of the rearward linkage channel. The rearward linkage channel is in communication with a tail column that fits within the tail segment having a rearward projecting tail segment and a forward projecting segment pin. The forward projecting segment pin is positioned to move against an actuator having a cutout and a pair of flanges. The movement of the tail column moves the forward projecting segment pin against the pair of flanges to create a pivoting and rotating movement of the rearward projecting tail segment. Further, the pivoting and rotating movement of the rearward projecting tail segment may move along a figure eight pattern. An integrated circuit with electronics may be included to receive signals generated in response to a triggering means and for controlling movement of the tail mechanism in response to the signals. 
         [0006]    Based thereon other aspects of the invention and other embodiments can be disclosed. For example, there may be provided an interactive toy figure with a chassis having rear and front sections with a pair of rear legs and a pair of front legs secured to respective sections. The chassis has a first substantially horizontal configuration with the rear and front legs being in communication with a surface and having a first front and rear leg configurations. A motor in communication with a mechanically operated means for raising and lowering the front section of the chassis is secured to the chassis. The motor may also move the rear section of the chassis upwardly and downwardly to cause a change in the center of gravity and define at least two configurations where at least one of the configurations is defined as a pouncing configuration. The mechanically operated means for lowering and raising the chassis in communication with a triggering means further includes an integrated circuit with electronics for receiving signals generated in response to the triggering means and for controlling movement of the mechanically operated means for lowering and raising the chassis. 
         [0007]    Numerous other advantages and features of the invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the embodiments thereof, from the claims, and from the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    A fuller understanding of the foregoing may be had by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a figure from the right in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the figure from  FIG. 1  from the left in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3   a  is a top view of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3   b  is a front view of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3   c  is a side view of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3   d  is a rear view of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3   e  is a bottom view of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the figure from  FIG. 1  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention illustrating a partial view of an arm mechanism and a head mechanism; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged rear perspective view of the figure from  FIG. 1  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention illustrating a partial view of the arm mechanism and head mechanism; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6   a  is an enlarged rear perspective view of the figure from  FIG. 1  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention illustrating a view of a tail mechanism; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6   b  is a perspective view of  FIG. 6   a  from a lower angle; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6   c  is a rear perspective view the figure from  FIG. 1  where a portion of the tail mechanism is removed; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7   a  is a front perspective view of the figure from  FIG. 1  illustrating the figure in an upright position; 
           [0022]      FIG. 7   b  is a front view of  FIG. 7   a ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7   c  is a front perspective view of the figure from  FIG. 1  illustrating the figure in a lowered position; 
           [0024]      FIG. 8   a  is an enlarged rear perspective view of the figure from  FIG. 1  where a portion of the figure is removed to show internal components of the figure where the figure is in a sitting position; 
           [0025]      FIG. 8   b  is an enlarged rear perspective view of the figure from  FIG. 1  where a portion of the figure is removed to show internal components of the figure where the figure is in an upright position; 
           [0026]      FIG. 8   c  is a front perspective view of  FIG. 8   b;    
           [0027]      FIG. 9  is a front left perspective view of the figure from  FIG. 1  where a portion of the figure is removed to show internal components. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0028]    While the invention is susceptible to embodiments in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will be described herein, in detail, the preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood, however, that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the spirit or scope of the invention or the embodiments illustrated. 
         [0029]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 through 3   e , in accordance to an embodiment of the present invention, there is illustrated a  FIG. 10  that includes a set of arm mechanisms, two head mechanisms, a tail mechanism and a chassis mechanism. In this embodiment, the  FIG. 10  uses two motors to move the figure into and out of an assortment of movements and actions by varying the distribution and direction of power to the motors. A variety of external coverings (not shown) may be used for the  FIG. 10 , such as different types of animals or characters. 
         [0030]    Referring now also to  FIG. 4 , the  FIG. 10  includes a set of arm mechanisms and a first head mechanism. Each arm mechanism includes an arm  25 , a shoulder  30  and a shoulder cam  35 . The arm mechanisms are further rotatably attached separately to either end of a front axle  40 . An arm transfer gear  45  is fixedly attached to the front axle  40 , such that the front axle  40  and arm transfer gear  45  rotate together. Additionally, a head transfer gear  50  is fixedly attached to the front axle  40 , such that the head transfer gear rotates together with the front axle  40  and arm transfer gear  45 . The arm transfer gear  45  and head transfer gear  50  are meshed to a gear train  55 , which may be set at different ratios as desired. The gear train  55  is further meshed to a clutch gear  60  fixedly attached to a front clutch  65  and a tail clutch  70 . The front clutch  65  is in meshed communication with a belt drive  75  that is driven by a first motor gear  80 . The first motor gear  80  is driven by a first motor  15 , which is secured to the chassis  20  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). 
         [0031]    When the first motor  15  is powered in a clockwise direction, the front clutch  65  engages and transfers rotation, rotating the front axle  40 . As the front axle  40  rotates, the shoulder cams  35  rotate accordingly. 
         [0032]    A pin  85  is positioned on the outside of each shoulder cam  35  and at positions approximately 180 degrees different from each other. Varying degree positions may be used as desired. The upper portion of each arm  25  is rotatably attached to its respective pin  85 . Each arm  25  also includes and aim channel  90  to receive a pin  95  positioned at the lower portion of each shoulder  30  to guide movement of the arms  25 . When the shoulder cams  35  rotate, the arms  25  move up and down as the pin  95  slides along the arm channel  90 . Positioning the pins  85  on the shoulder cams  35  at different degree points drives the arms  25  to move up and down opposite one another. 
         [0033]    Continuing to refer to  FIG. 4  and now additionally  FIG. 5  the first head mechanism is illustrated. A head segment  100  moves simultaneously to the movement of the arm mechanisms described above. The first head mechanism includes the head transfer gear  50 , a spool actuator  110 , the head segment  100  and a neck housing  115 . The spool actuator  110  has two triangularly shaped flanges  120  extending from the interior of each side and is fixedly attached to the head transfer gear  50 . The head segment  100  includes a lower portion  125  that is pushed from side to side in a pendulum-type motion by the flanges  120  as the spool actuator  110  rotates. Further, the head segment  100  has a spherical shaped extrusion  130  at the mid section to create a ball joint  135  in combination with the neck housing  115 . Thus, an upper portion  140  of the head segment  100  moves from side to side (and additionally in all directions) when the first motor  15  powers in the clockwise direction. The upper portion  140  may take on the form of a head for a variety of characters or animals, such as a cat. 
         [0034]    Another example of the movements executed by the  FIG. 10  includes the use of a tail mechanism as illustrated in  FIGS. 6   a - 6   c . The first motor  15  also drives the movement of a tail mechanism when the first motor  15  is powered in a counterclockwise direction. The belt drive  75  rotates a tail gear  145  which in turn drives the clutch gear  60  and engages the tail clutch  70 . The tail clutch  70  is meshed to a bevel gear  150  fixed to a tail cam  155 . A pin  160  is positioned on the upper side of the tail cam  155  and positioned in a forward linkage channel  165  at the forward portion of a tail linkage  170 . The rear portion of the tail linkage  170  includes a rear linkage channel  175  to receive a pin  180  on a tail transfer segment  185  included in the tail mechanism. The tail mechanism further includes a tail column  190 , a tail segment  195 , a tail segment pin  200  and an actuator  205  with a heart-shaped cutout  210 . The tail transfer segment  185  is fixed to the upper portion of the tail column  190  while the base of the tail column  190  is rotatably attached to a ledge  215  extending from the actuator  205  and rotates freely. The tail segment  195  is pivotally attached to the tail column  190  via a pin  220 . The tail segment pin  200  extends from one end of the tail segment  195  such that it is positioned within the cutout  210 . As movement is transferred to the tail mechanism via the tail linkage  170 , the tail column  190  and tail segment  195  move in a pattern directed by the path the tail segment pin  200  travels. As the tail mechanism moves, the tail segment pin  200  travels along the outer rim of the cutout  210 , then is pushed to the other side of the cutout  210  when the tail segment pin  200  encounters one of two flanges  225  extruding form the base of the cutout  210 . Thus, the tail segment pin  200  travels in a figure eight type (shown with dotted lines in  FIG. 6   c ) path as the tail mechanism moves. As such, by powering the first motor in the counterclockwise direction, power and rotation is transferred to the tail mechanism to create a movement similar to that of a “wagging tail.” Further, the figure eight type path directs a movement that is a more fluid motion in comparison to a rigid mechanical movement. 
         [0035]    An additional example of a movement of the  FIG. 10  where the  FIG. 10  moves from a sitting position ( FIG. 1 ) to substantially an upright position ( FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b ), however, it is within the scope to bring the  FIG. 10  to an angled position above the horizontal. A second motor  230  is secured to the chassis  20 . The second motor  230  has a motor gear  235  meshed to a clutch gear  240  fixed to an up clutch  245  and a bounce clutch  250 . When the second motor  230  is powered in a clockwise direction, the up clutch  245  engages and transfers rotation to a mid axle  255  with a transfer gear  260  and an up cam  265  fixedly attached thereto. A pin  270  is positioned on the outside of the up cam  265  and is rotatably attached to an up linkage  275 . The opposite end of the up linkage  275  is rotatably attached to a left hip  280 . When the mid axle  255  rotates as directed by the second motor  230 , the up cam  265  rotates therewith. The rotatable connection between the up linkage  275  and the up cam  265  drives the chassis  20  upward to an upright position. Continuing to power the second motor  230  and subsequently the rotation of the up cam  265  will further drive the chassis to a lowered position as seen in  FIG. 7   c . One full revolution of the up cam  265  will drive the chassis from the sitting position, then to the upright position, then to the lowered position and then back to the sitting position. 
         [0036]    Further, adjusting the power distribution to the motor when the figure is in the sitting position provides for additional movement utilizing the mechanisms described above to raise the figure to the aforementioned upright or angled position. For example, a “pouncing” movement utilizes the weight and center of gravity of the figure along with a timing sequence related to the power distribution to the second motor. A switch is positioned such that it triggers in a range where the weight of the chassis causes the figure to lean slightly forward, generally in a range where the chassis is raised halfway to the full upright position. Triggering this switch pauses the application of power to the motor, providing time for the figure to lean forward. Power is then reapplied to continue extending the chassis as the figure leans forward, such that the figure then lies flat on a surface. Continuing to apply power to the motor will return the figure to the sitting position. 
         [0037]    As the second motor  230  is powered in the clockwise direction and is raising the chassis  20 , a second head mechanism additionally directs movement of the first head mechanism and the arm mechanism as illustrated in  FIGS. 8   a - 8   c . The second head mechanism includes a hip disc  285 , a first linkage  290 , a second linkage  295  and third linkage  300 . The hip disc  285  is secured to a right hip  305  and includes a hip channel  310  and two pins positioned on the inside of the hip disc  285 . The first linkage  290  has a first linkage channel  315  at one end to receive a pin  317  fixed to the hip disc  285 . A pin  320  is positioned just up from the first linkage channel  315  and is positioned in hip channel  310 . The other end of first linkage  290  is rotatably attached to the inner side of the right shoulder cam  35 . One end of the second linkage  295  is rotatably attached to the hip disc  285  via a pin  325 . The other end of the second linkage  295  is rotatably attached to the third linkage  300 . The third linkage  300  is in rotatable communication with the first head mechanism via a head axle  330 . As the chassis  20  rotates upward, the hip channel  310  guides the movement of the first linkage  290  as pin  320  travels along the hip channel  310 , which in turn drives the right arm mechanism upward. An arm shaft  335  directs the left arm mechanism to move up simultaneously such that both arms are now in a raised position as seen in  FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b . The second linkage  295  moves along with the first linkage  290  and directs the third linkage  300  to rotate the head axle  330  forward and thus rotate the first head mechanism forward with the chassis  20  in the upright position. 
         [0038]    It should also be known that while the chassis  20  and first head mechanism are in the upright position, powering the first motor  15  in the clockwise direction directs the arm mechanisms to activate and move the arms up and down as described above. Further, powering the first motor  15  in the counterclockwise direction, while the  FIG. 10  is in the upright position, directs the tail mechanism to activate and wag as described above. 
         [0039]    Referring again to  FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b  and now additionally  FIG. 9 , the second motor  230  also powers an up and down movement of the chassis  20  when the chassis  20  is in the upright position. When the second motor  230  is powered in the counterclockwise direction, the clutch gear  240  rotates and engages the bounce clutch  250  which is meshed to a rear axle gear  340  fixed to a rear axle  345 . A right hip cam  350  and a left hip cam (not shown) are rotatably attached at either end of the rear axle  345 . A pin  357  is positioned on the outside of both the left hip cam  355  and the right hip cam  350 . Each pin is positioned in an upper leg channel  360  included in two legs  365  fixed to the left hip  280  and the right hip  305 , respectively. The lower portion of each leg  365  includes a lower leg channel  370  to receive pins  375  positioned at the base of each hip. When rotation is transferred to the left hip cam  355  and right hip cam  350 , the chassis  20  moves up and down as the pins  357  travel in the upper leg channels  360  while the pins  375  travel up and down in the lower leg channels  370 . As such, when the second motor  230  is powered in the counterclockwise direction, the chassis  20  moves up and down in a bouncing type motion. It should be noted that varying the degree positioning of the pins  357  on the left hip cam  355  and right hip cam  350  can create a chassis motion that is more fluid and less rigid. 
         [0040]    In the first embodiment, the  FIG. 10  includes a means to move from a sitting position to an upright position in accordance to a variety of preprogrammed responses triggered by switches or user input. 
         [0041]    Further and in accordance with the first embodiment, the  FIG. 10  includes a means to move from an upright position to a lying down position in accordance to a variety of preprogrammed responses triggered by switches or user input. 
         [0042]    The first embodiment also includes a means for the  FIG. 10  to “pounce” from a sitting or upright position to a lying down position in accordance to a variety of preprogrammed responses triggered by switches or user input. 
         [0043]    Additionally, the first embodiment includes a means to “wag” the tail of the  FIG. 10  in accordance to a variety of preprogrammed responses triggered by switches or user input. 
         [0044]    Also, the first embodiment includes a means to move the head and arms of the  FIG. 10  in accordance to a variety of preprogrammed responses triggered by switches or user input. 
         [0045]    Further, the first embodiment includes a means for the  FIG. 10  to move up and down in a “bouncing” type motion while in an upright position in accordance to a variety of preprogrammed responses triggered by switches or user input. 
         [0046]    Additionally, the first embodiment includes a means for the  FIG. 10  to “pounce” and wag the tail of the  FIG. 10  in accordance to a variety of preprogrammed responses triggered by switches or user input. 
         [0047]    Also, the first embodiment includes a means for the  FIG. 10  to “pounce” and move the head and arms of the  FIG. 10  in accordance to a variety of preprogrammed responses triggered by switches or user input. 
         [0048]    Further, the first embodiment includes a means for the  FIG. 10  to move up and down in a “bouncing” type motion while the tail of the figure “wags” in accordance to a variety of preprogrammed responses triggered by switches or user input. 
         [0049]    Additionally, the first embodiment includes a means for the  FIG. 10  to move up and down in a “bouncing” type motion while moving the head and arms of the  FIG. 10  in accordance to a variety of preprogrammed response triggered by switches or user input. 
         [0050]    As mentioned above, the  FIG. 10  executes a variety of movements and actions by alternating the direction to which each motor is powered. Further, different combinations of directional powering are available to create additional movements. The options for additional movements are increased when different amounts of power are distributed to the motors in addition to varying the direction. Each of the various movements may be triggered by several different control systems. For example, switches can be positioned throughout the figure to activate preprogrammed responses contained in an integrated circuit when triggered, such as when a user presses the head of the  FIG. 10 . Another example of a control system is the inclusion of a microphone in the  FIG. 10  that activates preprogrammed responses contained in an integrated circuit when the microphone picks up certain audio signals. Yet another example is the use of remote control, where a user would input commands to a controller with a transmitter, and a receiver receives these commands and transfers the commands to an integrated circuit to direct movement of the  FIG. 10 . 
         [0051]    From the foregoing and as mentioned above, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concept of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific methods and apparatus illustrated herein is intended or inferred.