Abstract:
A toy figure pair includes an assault toy figure having a punching mechanism which extends the toy figure arms in a punching or attacking movement as the user manipulates a movable toggle at the toy figure rear torso surface. A target toy figure is movably supported upon a plurality of freely rolling wheels and is able to roll away from impacts received from the assault toy figure. Additionally, a resilient cape supported upon the target toy figure is able to prevent tipping of the target toy figure under certain circumstances.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to toy figures and particularly to those which include movement features for simulating combat. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Toy figures which include movement features such as the ability to have appendages or other body portions moved in response to user input are well known in the art. Notsurprisingly, practitioner&#39;s in the art have developed a virtually endless variety of articulated toy figures having movement capabilities. One particularly successful movement feature toy figure was known generally in the market place under the name “Rockem Sockem Robot Game”. The basic features of this game included a pair of virtually identical robot-like toy figures, each of which included a head movable between a raised or extended position and a normal position. A spring latch mechanism within the toy figure allowed the head to be pushed downwardly upon the body against the force of the internal spring and latched by moving the head forward. In response to an impact to the toy robot head, the latch mechanism released and the head of the figures rose abruptly. Each robot figure also included a pair of pivotally supported arms coupled to an internal gear mechanism and a toggle button on the toy figures back torso surface. The pivotal arms were coupled to the rear toggle button by a gear drive mechanism. In its anticipated play activity, each user grasped one of the toy robots in a manner enabling the manipulation of the rear toggle button with the object of moving the pivotal arms against the opponent so-as-to strike a blow to the head of the opponents robot. In response to a sufficient blow to the head particularly from the front, latch released and the head sprung upwardly. 
     Still other toy figures with movement capability have been provided which are generally directed to activities such as combat, boxing or the like. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,046,987 issued to Djordjevic sets forth TOY BOXER ARMS for use on a doll having a torso. Each arm is pivotally supported by an inwardly extending shaft which in turn is coupled to a spring support. A pair of pivotally supported levers are coupled to the shaft supporting the arms by a flexible string or the like. Movement of each lever moves the dolls arms. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,457,097 issued to Miller et al. sets forth an ACTION TOY AND GAME having a hand-grip handle which supports a multiply articulated extendible member and which includes a thumb receiving end proximate the user. The outer end of the multiply articulated member is supported within a hand puppet. The movement of the user&#39;s thumb against the thumb piece of the multiply articulated member causes the puppets arms to move. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,995,610 issued to Paoletti sets forth an ELECTRIC BOXING GAME having two opposed doll boxers movably mounted on a support surface. Each boxer has swingable arms and a punch received indicator. Electric or computer control means operate at least one boxer so-as-to provide body movement and arm movements against the other boxer. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,088,510 issued to Frasca sets forth a TOY having a pair of puppet-like dolls supporting articulated arms and moveable upon a play surface. A downwardly extending member passes through apertures in the play surface and is coupled to a pistol grip-like handle suitable for grasping by each of the opposed players. The players manipulate their respective dolls and implement blows by squeezing the trigger mechanism on the handle to move the arms of the doll. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,623,329 issued to DiLeva sets forth an EXTENSIBLE DOLL having arm and leg appendages which include telescoping extendible members. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,741,870 issued to Lang sets forth a GROWING FIGURE TOY having a soft extendible outer body supported by an extendible internal frame. As the frame extends, the body is stretched and the toy appears to “grow”. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,874,112 issued to Sapkus et al. sets forth an ANIMATING DEVICE FOR FIGURE TOYS having a pistol-like hand grip which is swingably connected to a figure toy. The figure toy may be moved in a swinging fashion to simulate baseball hitting or other similar activities. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,526,552 issued to Rhodes sets forth an ANIMATED FIGURE TOY HAVING A TELESCOPING APPENDAGE which includes an upper torso provided with a neck opening. An elongated neck and head assembly are received within the opening and reciprocate to move the head relative to the torso. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,536,166 issued to Renger et al. sets forth a CAP FIRING ANIMATED FIGURE TOY having positionable appendages and upper and lower torso portions pivotally interconnected with a spring member. The rear of the torso is configured for retaining sound emitting devices such as a plurality of caps and a mechanism including a spring biased hammer member is provided within the torso for actuating one of the caps. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,673,367 issued to MacBain sets forth an ANIMATED FIGURE TOY having an upper torso with a trunnion member coupled for rotatable movement. The trunnion includes hinge couplers connectable to mating hinge portions on the interior of the front and rear halves of the upper torso. A spring is positioned beneath the trunnion for co-action with an actuating post sliding captively within the trunnion for limited movement. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,042,807 issued to Sasakawa et al. sets forth an BOXER DOLL AND BOXING GAME APPARATUS EMPLOYING SAME having a base upon which a pair of boxing figures are supported. A pneumatic mechanism is supported within each of the figures which is operative to move the boxers arms in a punch-like action. The pneumatic mechanisms within each doll are operated by a pair of squeezable bulbs held by the participants. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,087,219 issued to Price sets forth an ACTION CHARACTER FIGURE which includes a torso portion, a rotatable arm portion on the torso and a leg portion which is retractable into the lower end of the torso. The arm is connected to the leg in the interior of the torso such that rotation of the arm causes the leg portion to be retracted into the torso against the force of an internal spring. Release of the spring causes the arm to be rotated in a reverse direction and the leg to be resiliently extended. 
     While the foregoing prior art devices to some extent improved the art and have in some instances enjoyed commercial success, there remains nonetheless a continuing need in the art for ever more interesting, amusing and entertaining articulated toy figures having movement capability. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved toy figure game. It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide an improved toy figure game having a toy figure pair for simulating combat. It is a still more particular object of the present invention to provide an improved toy figure game having a toy figure pair in which one of the toy figures is movable laterally in response to a punch impact. 
     In accordance with the present invention there is provided a combat simulating toy figure pair comprising: a first figure having a first torso, a first head, a first pair of arms and a first pair of legs, the first torso defining a slot therein; arm moving means supported within the first torso having a toggle rotatably supported in the first torso having a gear portion, a pair of shafts supporting the first pair of arms, and gear means coupling the gear portion to the arm shafts; a second figure having a second torso, a second head, a second pair of arms and a body support supporting the torso; a wheel plate supporting the body support and defining a plurality of slots; and a plurality of wheels rotatably supported within the slots, the first figure being manipulated by moving the toggle to punch the second figure and the second figure receiving a punch from the first figure and rolling away from the first figure. 
    
    
     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: 
     FIG. 1 sets forth a perspective view of a toy figure pair constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 sets forth a partial section side view of one of the toy figures of the present invention toy figure pair; 
     FIG. 3 sets forth a partial perspective view of the punch activating mechanism of the toy figure shown in FIG. 2 taken along section line  3 — 3  therein. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 1 sets forth a perspective view of a toy figure pair constructed in accordance with the present invention and generally referenced by numeral  10 . Toy figure pair  10  includes a target toy figure 20 cooperating with an assaulting toy figure  50 . Toy figure 20 generally resembles a fanciful creation of a wizard or the like while toy figure 50 generally resembles a fanciful robot or the like. In the anticipated play pattern of toy figure pair  10 , toy figure 50 is moved against toy figure 20 in an assault move which is carried forward by a series of punching actions by toy figure 50 in the manner described below. Toy figure 20 is supported by a plurality of rotating wheels such that toy figure 20 is readily adapted to absorb punch impacts and move rearwardly or roll away from toy figure  50 . Additionally, toy figure 20 utilizes a resilient cape for additional support against tipping in response to punch actions. 
     More specifically, toy figure 20 includes a body  21  generally simulating a fanciful wizard or the like and having a torso  22  supporting a head  23  and a pair of arms  24  and  26 . Body  21  further includes a pair of shoulder joints  25  and  27  pivotally supporting arms  24  and  26  respectively upon torso  22 . 
     In accordance with an important aspect of the present invention, body  21  further includes a downwardly extending body support  30  having a wheel plate  33  on the bottom surface thereof. Wheel plate  33  defines a plurality of elongated slots such as slots  34  and  37 . A plurality of freely rolling wheels, such as wheels  36  and  39  are rotatably supported upon wheel plate  33  within slots  34  and  37  by axles  35  and  38  respectively. An additional plurality of wheels  40  through  44  are similarly supported upon wheel plate  33  by respective axles  45  through  49 . 
     Toy figure 20 further includes a resilient cape  31  supported upon body  11  by a neck ring portion  19  which generally encircles head  23 . Resilient cape  31  is preferably formed of a resilient relatively stiff material such as rubber or soft plastic and defines a bottom edge  32 . Bottom edge  32  is close to touching the supporting surface upon which wheels  36 ,  39  and  40  through  44  rollingly support toy figure  20 . However, in the preferred fabrication of the present invention, edge  22  is spaced somewhat distant from body support  30  and is close to but not touching the underlying support surface upon which toy figure 20 is freely rolling. In this manner, resilient cape  31  provides support for toy figure 20 in the event toy figure 20 is impacted by punches from toy figure 50 in the manner described below and would other wise to tilt rearwardly in the direction indicated by arrow  12 . Such tilting is resisted as edge  32  comes in contact with the surface upon which toy figure 20 is rolling. 
     Toy figure 50 includes a body  51  supported by a pair of legs  53  and  54  and having a pair of arms  55  and  56 . Body  51  further includes a head  59 . Arms  55  and  56  are pivotally supported upon torso  52  of body  51  at a pair of shoulder joints  57  and  58 . In accordance with the mechanism set forth below in greater detail, arms  55  and  56  are pivotally movable forward and rearwardly in the directions indicated by arrow  60  in a punching motion which is intended to simulate combat as toy figure 50 assaults toy figure  20 . Suffice it to note here, that toy figure 50 may be held by the user and moved against toy figure 20 in an attack or assault. Suffice it further to note that as the user moves toy figure 50 against toy figure 20, the user causes punching motions by arms  55  and  56  hoping to land a blow against toy figure 20 sufficient to tip it or knock it over. 
     During the above described simulation of combat, as toy figure 50 assaults toy figure 20 the novel support of toy figure 20 upon a plurality of rolling wheels together with the assistance of resilient cap  31  cooperate to allow toy figure 20 to sustain such impacts and thereby survive attack by toy figure  50 . 
     FIG. 2 sets forth a partial section view of toy figure  50 . As described above, a number of toy figures have been provided in the prior art which simulate a punching or boxing-type action. Accordingly, it will be understood that toy figure 50 may be fabricated entirely in accordance with the conventional fabrication of prior art punching or boxing dolls and toy figures. For example, toy figure 50 in its preferred fabrication is substantially similar to the above described prior art device utilized in the prior art game known as “Rockem Sockem Robot Game”. Alternatively, virtually any conventional punching or boxing toy figure capable of extending or pivoting one or more arms in a punching action to impact toy figure 20 (seen in FIG.  1 ) may be utilized for toy figure 50 without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     More specifically, toy figure 50 includes a body  51  having a torso  52  supporting a head  59 . Torso  52  is supported by a pair of legs  53  and  54  (leg  54  shown in FIG.  1 ). A pair of arms  55  and  56  (arm  56  seen in FIG. 1) are pivotally supported upon torso  52 . 
     Toy figure 50 further includes a toggle  61  supported by a shaft  62  within torso  52 . Toggle  61  extends rearwardly through a slot  60  formed at the rear surface of torso  52 . A shaft  65  is rotatably supportive within torso  52  by conventional support means (not shown). Shaft  65  supports a gear  64  which engages gear portion  63  of toggle  61 . As is better seen in FIG. 3, shaft  65  supports arm  55  and is rotatable therewith. 
     In operation, a punching action is produced as the user moves toggle  61  within slot  60  in which arm  55  (as well as arm  56  shown in FIG. 3) pivot in response to movement of toggle  61 . Thus, as the user moves toggle  61  downwardly in the direction indicated by arrow  70 , gear portion  63  rotates in the direction indicated by arrow  71  which in turn rotates gear  64  and shaft  65  in the direction indicated by arrow  72 . This rotation of shaft  65  in turn rotates arm  55  downwardly in the direction indicated by arrow  73 . Conversely, as the user moves toggle  61  upwardly within slot  60  in the direction indicated by arrow  75 , gear portion  63  rotates downwardly in the direction indicated by arrow  76 . The rotation of gear  63  in the direction of arrow  76  rotates gear  64  and shaft  65  in the direction indicated by arrow  77 . The rotation of shaft  65  in turn pivots arm  55  upwardly in the direction indicated by arrow  78 . 
     Thus, as the user moves toggle  61  up and down in the directions indicated by arrows  70  and  75 , a corresponding punching movement of arm  55  in the directions indicated by arrows  73  and  78  respectively is produced. 
     FIG. 3 sets forth a partial top view of the operative mechanism for toy figure  50 . As described above, a toggle  61  is pivotally supported within torso  52  (seen in FIG. 2) by a shaft  62 . Toggle  61  includes a gear portion  63 . A shaft  65  is rotatably supported within torso  52  (seen in FIG. 1) in accordance with conventional fabrication techniques (not shown). Shaft  65  supports a gear  64  engaging gear portion  63 . Shaft  65  further supports arm  55 . 
     Arm  56  is pivotally supported upon torso  52  (torso  52  seen in FIG. 2) by a shaft  68  in accordance with conventional fabrication techniques (not shown). Shaft  68  includes a gear  67  which engages a gear  66  supported upon shaft  65 . 
     In operation, as toggle  61  is pivoted about shaft  62 , gear portion  63  rotates correspondingly. The rotational movement of gear portion  63  rotates shaft  65  through the engagement of gear  64 . Gear  66  is corresponding rotated by the rotation of shaft  65 . With shaft  65  directly coupled to arm  55 , arm  55  moves in direct relation to the rotation to shaft  65 . The gear coupling between gear  66  and gear  67  however reverses the relative direction of movement between shaft  65  and arm  56 . Accordingly, as the user moves toggle  61  about shaft  62 , arms  55  and  56  are pivoted in opposite directions. This is the preferred manner of punching action by toy figure 50 (seen in FIG.  1 ). However, it will be understood that other punching actions and mechanisms may be utilized in toy figure 50 without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     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.