Patent Publication Number: US-6988928-B2

Title: Compact motion mechanism for an animated doll

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/075,174, filed Feb. 12, 2002 and entitled “Compact Motion Mechanism for an Animated Doll,” which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/268,317, filed Feb. 12, 2001 and entitled “Compact Mechanism for an Animated Doll,” the entire disclosures of both applications are hereby incorporated by reference. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a toy doll, and in particular, to a toy doll which has plural, movable facial-expression structures, such as openable and closeable eyes, and an openable and closeable mouth, operated under the influence of a compact single motor and drive mechanism which fits within the hollow interior of the head component in the doll. For illustration purposes, an embodiment of the invention is described herein with specific reference to movable eye and mouth structures—a setting wherein the invention has shown itself to offer particular utility the invention, as will become apparent, can offer similar utility in relation to other kinds of movable facial-expression structures. 
   BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   For many years, animated toy dolls have been popular toys for children. Over these years, more and more sophistication in design has been brought to bear upon the realistic nature of selected animated doll motions in relation to facial-expression structures, and in particular, to such motions which, in addition to appearing to be relatively natural, also occur in a pattern which is not easily learned very quickly by a child—an event which might too soon lessen the child&#39;s interest in continuing to play with a doll. 
   Various motorized or electronic dolls are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,298,130, 3,767,901, 3,912,694, 4,139,968, 4,207,704, 4,767,374, 4,825,136, 4,840,602, 4,900,289, 5,141,464, 5,158,492, 5,191,615, 5,281,143, 5,413,516, 5,636,994, 5,820,441, 6,048,209, and PCT Publication No. WO 00/35548, the disclosures of which are all incorporated herein by reference. 
   The present invention proposes a very compact, single-motor-driven animation structure effectively mounted within the hollow interior of a doll&#39;s head component for opening and closing the doll&#39;s eyes and mouth (facial-expression structures) in manners which are relatively realistic. Additionally, the animation structure of the present invention operates in a complex enough pattern that memorization of the pattern is not too likely, especially in the case of young children. The invention also proposes such an animation structure which, in relation to its compactness, is extremely simple, and which can be easily incorporated into an even very tiny doll head component such as, for example, a doll head which might be roughly the size of a golf ball. 
   These and other interesting features and contributions which are made by the present invention in the field of animated toy dolls will become more fully apparent as the description which now follows is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 

   
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a simplified cut-away drawing of a toy doll (shown only fragmentarily) including a head component wherein movable eye and mouth structures are furnished and driven according to the present invention. In this figure, two graphical lines (a graphical representation) presented at the left side of the figure act as explanatory aids in describing motions that can be produced according to the invention in these eye and mouth structures. 
       FIG. 2  is an enlarged, fragmentary, simplified plan view taken generally along the line  2 - 2  in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is an unfolded (or developed) layout drawing of a rotary drive drum containing driver track structure which is constructed in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a graphical drawing which is similar to the one shown at the left side in  FIG. 1 , specifically illustrating different phases of motion and positioning in a single cycle of eye and mouth movement produced according to the invention. 
       FIG. 5  is very much like  FIG. 1 , except that, whereas  FIG. 1  illustrates the movable eye and mouth structures in conditions with the eyes and the mouth both open,  FIG. 5  shows a condition where the eyes are closed and the mouth is open. 
       FIG. 6  is like  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 5 , except that here a condition is illustrated wherein the eyes and the mouth are both closed. 
       FIG. 7  is similar to  FIGS. 1 ,  5  and  6 , but illustrates yet another condition in the doll wherein the eyes are open and the mouth is closed. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF, AND BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT, THE INVENTION 
   Turning now to the drawings, and referring first of all most particularly to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , illustrated generally at  10  is a fragmentary portion (the head portion) of a toy doll which includes a hollow, typically plastic, molded head component  12 . In doll  10 , head component  12  is the size roughly of a conventional golf ball. The facial features of this doll head include a forehead  14 , eye openings, such as the single eye opening shown at  16 , a nose  18 , and a mouth  20  which, in  FIG. 1 , is shown in an open condition. Preferably, the structural material which makes up head component  12  is sufficiently flexible, at least in the region of mouth  20 , to enable reasonably realistic opening and closing motion in this region, so that a closed condition for the mouth, such as is illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , can be achieved simply by producing relative closing motion between the upper and lower lip structure  20   a ,  20   b , respectively, in mouth  20 . 
   Provided in accordance with the present invention are two articulated-motion, facial-expression structures including an eye structure  22  and a mouth structure  24  which are mounted and disposed within the hollow interior of head component  12 . 
   Eye structure  22  includes a pair of generally hemispherical movable eye components, such as the single eye component shown at  22   a  in  FIG. 1 . These eye components, that are also collectively referred to herein as motion eye structure, are pivotally mounted for rotation reversibly, as indicated generally by double-ended curved arrow  26  in  FIG. 1 , on a pivot axis  28 . Shown at  30 , joined to component  22   a , and to its counterpart which is hidden in  FIG. 1  behind component  22   a , is a single, elongate actuator which extends radially away from axis  28 , on the opposite side of this axis from the two eye components. The left end of actuator  30  in  FIG. 1  includes what is referred to herein as a track follower  32 . 
   With up and down motion imparted to follower  32 , the actuator rotates the eye structure as indicated by arrow  26  about pivot axis  28 , between what is already been referred to herein as open and closed conditions. When the follower and actuator structures are in the positions generally shown for them in  FIG. 1 , the eye structure sits in what can be thought of as its counterclockwise motion limit condition, which condition defines the mentioned open condition to the eye structure. With upward motion in follower  32 , and related motion in actuator  30 , the eye structure rotates clockwise about axis  28  in  FIG. 1  toward, and finally ending at, a condition similar to that shown in  FIG. 5 , wherein the eye structure is closed. In this situation, the eye structure is in its clockwise motion limit condition. 
   Mouth structure  24  includes an elongate extension element  24   a  which is disposed appropriately within head component  12  in the region just beneath lower lip  20   d . Element  24   a  directly connects as shown to the lower lip portion  20   d  in the mouth structure. Extension element  24   a  extends from a body  24   b  which is appropriately pivoted on the inside of head component  12  for reversible rotation about an axis shown at  34  in  FIG. 1 . Axis  34  is disposed below and generally parallel to axis  28 , and both of these axes are oriented substantially normal to the plane of  FIG. 1 . Provided for mouth structure  24  is an elongate actuator extension  36  which has, at its outer end, a track follower  38 . With up and down movement of follower  38 , as generally indicated by double-ended arrow  40 , actuator  36  moves in such a fashion as to cause reversible, limited-angle rocking of the mouth structure about axis  34 , such rocking being indicated in  FIG. 1  by double-ended, curved arrow  42 . This rocking motion is delivered to the mouth lower lip through element  24   a.    
   With the various components in and associated with mouth structure  24  in the positions illustrated for them in  FIG. 1 , the mouth structure sits in what can be thought of as its most clockwise rotated condition, and creates an open condition for mouth  20 . When this mouth-associated structure is rocked counterclockwise in  FIG. 1  to another rotation limit condition, such as that which is pictured in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the mouth structure places mouth  20  in a closed condition. 
   Illustrated at  44  in  FIG. 1  is a two-diameter (or stepped-diameter) cylindrical drive drum body, or rotary drive device, which has an upright long axis shown at  46 , and which includes upper and lower, different-diameter end portions  44   a ,  44   b , respectively. Drum  44  is also referred to herein as a rotary interconnect structure. Drum body  44 , which is also referred to herein as a shared rotary drive device, is suitably mounted within the hollow interior of head component  12  for rotation about axis  46 . End portions  44   a ,  44   b  are also referred to herein as cylindrical elements. 
   Appropriately formed on, and extending generally circumferentially in a kind of continuous closed-loop fashion about upper drum body end  44   a , is an elongate circumferential track  48 . This track is defined by upper and lower, spaced, generally parallel walls  48   a  which define opposite sides of a track groove  48   b . Similarly formed on and circumferentially with respect to lower drum body end  44   b  is another elongate, generally circumferential, closed-loop track  50  which includes spaced side walls  50   a  that define a track groove  50   b . Tracks  48 ,  50  constitute rotary track instrumentalities herein. 
   Further included within the hollow interior of head component  12  according to the invention is a single, small electrical drive motor  52 . Motor  52  is appropriately, drivingly connected to rotate drum  44  about axis  46 . The drive axis of motor  52  is substantially coincident with axis  46 . Suitable electrical connections (not shown) are provided for operating motor  52  from an “on board” electrical power source, such as a battery. Motor  52  may be operated, selectively, either always in one rotary direction only, or, if so desired, reversibly in both directions, and in any one of a number of different rotational patterns over time. These operational patterns which may be selected for motor  52  do not form any part of the present invention, and can be implemented according to designer wishes. In the particular structure now being described, motor  52  is constructed to operate unidirectionally, at a fairly constant speed, and in successive, merge-connected cycles which last throughout a time period selected by the person playing with the toy. Such selection can be implemented either through the closure of an appropriate electrical circuit switch, or may result from other activities such as positional movements, external sounds, etc. None of these considerations also forms any part of the present invention. The stopping of action can occur by opening of the activation circuit either manually with a switch, or automatically after some period of time, some preset number of cycles, the ending of some event which has triggered operation in the first place, or in many other ways. 
   Looking for a moment at  FIG. 2  along with  FIG. 1 , one can see in  FIG. 2  generally the relative dispositions of motor  52  and drum  44  from an above point of view taken downwardly along axis  46 . Follower  32  on the outer end of actuator  30  is seen extending into groove  48   b  in track  48 . Similarly, follower  38  on the outer end of actuator  36  can be seen to be extending into groove  50   b  provided in track  50 . Motor  52  is also shown in  FIG. 2 . So also is rotational axis  46 . 
     FIG. 3  represents a developed, or flattened out, symbolic view of the upper and lower end regions of drum  44 . Here one can see generally how tracks  48 ,  50  are arranged on these two different-diameter drum ends. 
   In  FIG. 1 , and referring now to the graphical image that is presented at the left side in this figure, the dimension C shown there represents the full 360° angular lengths of tracks  48 ,  50 . The reason that the graphical image now being discussed in  FIG. 1  looks somewhat different from the mechanical developed view pictured in  FIG. 3 , is that  FIG. 3  actually shows the circumferential relative linear lengths (or dimensions) of tracks  48 ,  50 , whereas the graphical image in  FIG. 1  shows the angular circumferential dimensions that relate these two tracks. One can see that, within track  48 , there is one region  48   c  which is the lower-most region pictured in  FIG. 1 , and another region  48   d  which is the upper-most region in this track. These two regions are spaced relative to the direction of the longitudinal axis of drum  44 , and are joined through angular transition regions (two of them) shown at  48   e ,  48   f . Region  48   c  is referred to herein also as a low region in track  48 , and region  48   d  as a high region in the track. 
   Track  50  is somewhat similar in that it includes two longitudinally-spaced regions—an upper region  50   c  and a lower region  50   d , connected through angular transition regions shown at  50   e ,  50   f . Region  50   c  constitutes a high region in track  50 , and region  50   d  a low region in this track. 
   As will shortly become apparent,  FIGS. 5 ,  6  and  7  include, at their respective left sides, graphical representations like the one shown in  FIG. 1 . These other graphical representations each relate to the eye and mouth conditions specifically pictured in the associated figure. 
   With the structure of this invention organized as pictured mechanically in  FIGS. 1–3  and  5 – 7 , inclusive, during each complete, single, rotary cycle created in drum  44  by motor  52 , followers  32 ,  38  follow the paths defined by tracks  48 ,  50 , respectively. The result of this is that these followers shift generally upwardly and downwardly in  FIG. 1 , with pauses occurring between successive upward and downward motions, to cause related opening and closing rocking motions in eye structure  22  and in mouth structure  24 , along with periods of no eye or mouth movements. 
   Turning at this point to  FIG. 4  in the drawings, and further describing the motion activity just referred to, a complete, single 360° cycle of rotation for drum  44  is illustrated. This cycle defines, effectively, eight different kinds of positional changes and behaviors that are created by tracks  48 ,  50  for followers  32 ,  38 , respectively. The general “boundaries” of these eight phases are marked by dash-dot vertical lines in  FIG. 4 , and the lengths of the respective phases are marked by brackets provided in this figure. The dash-dot lines in  FIG. 4  are labeled L 1 –L 8 , inclusive, and the brackets, which define the nominal spans of these phases, are shown at B 1 –B 8 , inclusive. 
   A single cycle of unidirectional operation will now be described in the context of considering that motor  52  rotates drum  44  in a clockwise direction as pictured in  FIG. 2 . This context further includes that followers  32 ,  38  are positioned in track grooves  48   b ,  50   b , respectively, at a moment in time just at the end of that phase (or condition) in which both the eye and the mouth structures have been held open (paused) for a period of time during motor operation. This is the status of things pictured in  FIG. 1 . 
   Illustrated in each of the graphical image portions of  FIGS. 1 ,  5 ,  6  and  7  is an upwardly pointing arrow  60  which represents a laterally-moving cursor that points to the regions along tracks  48 ,  50  then occupied by followers  32 ,  38 , respectively. The cycle description now to be given, with clockwise rotation imparted as just described to the drum, causes cursor  60  effectively to progress in a left-moving direction in the graphical presentations provided in  FIGS. 1 ,  5 ,  6  and  7 . It is for this reason that the labeling described above the dashed-dot lines, and the brackets shown in  FIG. 4 , are given ascending numbers in a progression which is to the left in  FIG. 4  along tracks  48 ,  50 . 
   At the beginning of the single operating cycle now to be described, the physical positions and conditions of the various components are as pictured in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 . Followers  32 ,  38  ride in tracks  48 ,  50 , and specifically are positioned in these tracks (as indicated in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 ) with the eye structure and the mouth structure each open. The angular positions of the two followers under these circumstances are especially illustrated in the graphical illustration at the left side of  FIG. 1 , where cursor arrow  60  points to the positions of these two followers along tracks  48 ,  50 . 
   With clockwise rotation produced by motor  52  in drum  44 , relative motion occurs between tracks  48 ,  50  and cursor  60 . In particular, this relative motion is such that the cursor moves to the left simultaneously and equiangularly relative to these two tracks. Put another way, the two tracks move as a unit relatively to the right of cursor  60  in  FIG. 1 . In the several illustrations ( FIGS. 1 ,  5 ,  6  and  7 ) herein which employ such graphical representations, the positions of the tracks are retained roughly in the same relative location regarding the pictured cut-away head structure, and cursor  60  is shown in respective conditions moved to different angular locations which are to the left of the condition for the cursor shown in  FIG. 1 . 
   Considering now  FIG. 4  along with these other figures as an aid in reviewing the operation of the apparatus of this invention, cursor  60  is shown in  FIG. 4  in the same position (phase) angularly relative to tracks  48 ,  50  in which it is shown in  FIG. 1 . In this phase of a single cycle of operation of the apparatus of the invention, and as has been mentioned earlier, both the eye structure and the mouth structure are in open conditions. Follower  32  sits in low region  48   a  within track  48  and follower  38  sits within high region  50   c  in track  50  (see dash-dot line L 1 ). As will become apparent, this positional condition for the followers, the actuators, and the eye and mouth structures exists at the end of one of the basically eight different phases of conditions in the apparatus of the invention, and specifically, at the end of a phase wherein both the eye and mouth structures remain essentially stationary and both in open conditions. 
   As rotation in drum  44  now progresses, follower  32  begins to ride upwardly as urged and guided by inclined region  48   f  in track  48 , and follower  38  remains basically in the same vertical position in the next stretch of track  50 . This phase of operation, wherein the mouth structure remains open and the eye structure begins to close, is pictured by bracket B 1  in  FIG. 4 . When rotation has taken place angularly to a point which represents the “end” of phase B 1  (see dash-dot line L 2 ), follower  32  now sits in high region  48   d  in track  48 , while follower  38  still resides in high region  50   c  in track  50 . In this set of conditions, the eye structure is closed and the mouth structure open. This condition is pictured in  FIG. 5 . 
   There now ensues a phase of operation B 2  where, for a period of time, the eye structure remains closed and the mouth structures remains open. This phase begins at line L 2  in  FIG. 4 , ends at line L 3 , and is reflected by bracketed region B 2 . Thus, and as was true in the very first phase of operation, the end of which began this description, both the eye and the mouth structure are once again in nonmoving conditions. 
   At the end of phase B 2 , follower  32  remains in high region  48   d  of track  48 , and follower  38  begins descending in downwardly inclined ramp portion  50   f  in track  50 . This phase of operation, which ends at dash-dot line L 4  in  FIG. 4 , is marked by bracket B 3  in  FIG. 4 . This is a phase of operation during which the eye structure remains closed while the mouth structure moves, and specifically moves from an open condition toward a closed condition. This latter condition is pictured in  FIG. 6  in the drawings. 
   At the end of phase B 3 , follower  32  is still in high region  48   d  in track  48 , and follower  32  is now in low region  50   d  in track  50 , with the result that the eye structure is still closed, and the mouth structure is now also closed. 
   Dash-dot line L 4  marks the beginning of the next phase B 4  in the condition of the apparatus of this invention—a phase which ends with dash-dot line L 5 . In phase B 4 , both the eye structure and the mouth structure remain stationary, with the eye structure closed and the mouth structure also closed. This is the  FIG. 6  condition. 
   The next phase to follow is pictured at B 5  in  FIG. 4 , beginning with dash-dot line L 5  and ending with dash-dot line L 6  in the figure. During this phase, follower  32  is moved downwardly along downwardly inclined portion  48   e  in track  48 , while follower  38  remains unmoved in low region  50   d  in track  50 . Thus, during phase B 5 , the eye structure changes from a closed to an open condition while the mouth structure remains closed. 
   At the end of phase B 5 , a condition exists where follower  32  is now again in low region  48   c  in track  48 , while follower  38  is still also in low region  50   d  in track  50 . There then follows a phase marked B 6  in  FIG. 4 , beginning with dash-dot line L 6  and ending with dash-dot line L 7 . During phase B 6  both the eye and the mouth structures are stationary, with the eye structure open and the mouth structure closed. This condition is illustrated in  FIG. 7  in the drawings. 
   What next follows is a phase marked B 7  in  FIG. 4  during which phase follower  32  remains in low region  48   c  in track  48 , while follower  38  begins to move upwardly under the influence of rising ramp portion  50   e  in track  50 . This is a phase during which the eye structure remains open, while the mouth structure transitions from a closed to an open condition. At the end of phase B 7 , the components in the apparatus of this invention, vis-a-vis the conditions (open or closed of the eye structure and the mouth structure), are the same as those which existed at the beginning of this described single cycle of operation. The phase of operation during which this exists is pictured by bracket B 8  in  FIG. 4 . This phase begins with dash-dot line L 8  and ends with previously-mentioned dash-dot line L 1  which, because of the developed-view nature of  FIG. 4 , appears both at the left and right sides of this figure. During phase B 8 , follower  32  remains in low region  48   c  in track  48 , while follower  38  remains in high region  50   c  in track  50 . In this phase, both the eye and the mouth structures are held stationary in open conditions. 
   It can thus be seen how, in a single, unidirectional cycle of rotation and operation of motor  52  and drum  44 , a fairly complex and quite natural series of phases of eye openings, eye closings, mouth openings, mouth closings, accompanied by times when both the eyes and mouth are stationary in respective different open or closed conditions, takes place. The operation specifically described contains generally eight different phases of operation, with four phases involving nonmoving conditions in the eye structure and mouth structure, interleaved by four other phases where one but not the other one of these two structures is put into motion between an open and a closed condition, or vice versa. 
   The pattern of operation just described can also be seen to be one which is not easily quickly memorized, and one which, depending upon the particular starting set of positions for the various components in the mechanism of this invention, cannot easily be predicted—vis-a-vis what is next to happen. This statement, of course, assumes that operation of the apparatus of the invention can be stopped at any point in any one of its different phases, and this is an operating condition which the invention readily accommodates, and which is truly a matter of designer choice. Another option, of course, would be to have the components of the mechanism of this invention always advance to and stop in a particular selected starting and stopping condition each time that it is started and stopped. Other patterns of operation can, of course, be chosen at the selection of a designer of a doll employing this invention. 
   Further, the patterns described by tracks  48 ,  50  on and around the circumferences of drum ends  44   a ,  44   b , can take on a host of different characteristics to produce a very different set, or very different sets, of patterns of interrelated opening and closing operations for the eye and mouth structures. For example, the number of times that opening and closing occurs in a single 360° turn of drum  44 , and the angular rotational conditions during which changes takes place, or constancy holds, can be modified easily from design to design. So also can be the amount of vertical travel produced in the followers by vertical changes in the angular positions of the relative associated tracks. 
   The fact that, in the mechanism proposed by this invention, the up and down directions in which the followers move is mimicked by the up and down movements of the eye and mouth structures leads to overall simplicity in the structure of the invention. By stepping the diameter of the different drum regions that carry tracks, and by selecting the locations of horizontal pivot axes  28 ,  34 , and all in relation to, selecting the lengths of actuators  30 ,  36 , the apparent relative amounts of opening and closing motions that are producable in the eye and mouth structures are readily varied from design to design. 
   The structure of this invention, as can clearly be seen, involves a very few, relatively simply manufactured components, which may be molded plastic components. Also, the invention requires only a single, tiny electrical drive motor. These factors yield a structure which is easily miniaturized enough to fit within the hollow interior of an even very small doll head. 
   Without making any appreciable changes in the mechanical constructions of the eye and mouth structures, the actuators, the followers, the drum and the tracks herein, but simply by allowing motor  52  to operate bidirectionally, either by direct user selection, or in scheduled alternation, or even in random alteration, the patterns of eye structure and mouth structure openings and closings can be made to be far more complex. Such further complexity would thus make it far more difficult, almost to the point of impossibility, to predict what the next action will be, particularly on start-up of motion if that start-up is also initiated in a kind of random fashion. 
   Accordingly, a unique animated doll head mechanism, with a sophisticated, difficult to memorize and yet quite realistic set of motions, all employable in very tiny doll head structures, is proposed by the present invention. This mechanism, while offering, as stated earlier herein, special utility with respect to working with movable eye and mouth structures, can also be employed to work with other kinds of facial-expression structures. 
   It is believed that the following claims particularly point out certain combinations and subcombinations that are directed to one of the disclosed inventions and are novel and non-obvious. Inventions embodied in other combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of the present claims or presentation of new claims in this or a related application. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed to a different invention or directed to the same invention, whether different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are also regarded as included within the subject matter of the inventions of the present disclosure.