Abstract:
A multiple motion toy includes a stand and a body assembly overlying the stand. The body assembly includes a turning member connected to the stand. The turning member is rotatable relative to the stand about a substantially vertical rotation axis. A pivot member is connected to the turning member such that the pivot member is tiltable relative to the turning member about a pivot axis. The pivot axis extends transversely to the rotation axis. A neck member is connected to the pivot member such that the neck member is linearly reciprocable along a bobbing axis. The bobbing axis extends transversely to the pivot axis. A drive system is operative to rotate the turning member about the rotation axis, tilt the pivot member about the pivot axis, and reciprocate the neck member linearly along the bobbing axis. The pivot axis is reoriented as the turning member rotates whereby the pivot and bobbing axes are varied relative to the stand. The bobbing axis is reoriented as the pivot member tilts whereby the bobbing axis is varied relative to the stand and the turning member.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    The present invention claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/215,949, filed Jul. 5, 2000, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The present application claims priority from Taiwanese Patent application Ser. No. 89209759, filed Jun. 8, 2000, and from Chinese Patent application Ser. No. 00243585.3, filed Jul. 13, 2000. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates to toys and, more particularly, to motion toys.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Motion toys have been disclosed which use a motor to turn a transmission gear train, which in turn moves eccentric rods or cams so as to move one or more movable parts of the toy back and forth. An example of such a motion toy is shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 herein, which employs a fan-shaped gear to move the structure about six axes of motion to provide left and right oscillating motion of the body and legs of the toy. A similar motion toy is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,911,617 to Chou, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. However, there is a need for a motion toy which provides different and more entertaining movements and combination of movements.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    According to embodiments of the present invention, a multiple motion toy includes a stand and a body assembly overlying the stand. The body assembly includes a turning member connected to the stand. The turning member is rotatable connected to the turning member such that the pivot member is tiltable relative to the turning member about a pivot axis. The pivot axis extends transversely to the rotation axis. A neck member is connected to the pivot member such that the neck member is linearly reciprocable along a bobbing axis. The bobbing axis extends transversely to the pivot. A drive system is operative to rotate the turning member about the rotation axis, tilt the pivot member about the pivot axis, and reciprocate the neck member linearly along the bobbing axis. The pivot axis is reoriented as the turning member rotates whereby the pivot and bobbing axes are varied relative to the stand. The bobbing axis is reoriented as the pivot member tilts whereby the bobbing axis is varied relative to the stand and the turning member.  
           [0005]    According to further embodiments of the present invention, a multiple motion toy includes a stand and a body assembly overlying the stand. The body assembly includes a pivot member connected to the stand such that the pivot member is tiltable relative to the stand about a horizontal pivot axis. A neck member is connected to the pivot member such that the neck member is linearly reciprocable along a bobbing axis. The bobbing axis extends transversely to the pivot axis. A drive system is operative to tilt the pivot member about the pivot axis and reciprocate the neck member linearly along the bobbing axis. The bobbing axis is reoriented as the pivot member tilts whereby the bobbing axis is varied relative to the stand.  
           [0006]    According to further embodiments of the present invention, a multiple motion toy includes a stand and a body assembly overlying the stand. The body assembly includes a turning member connected to the stand. The turning member is rotatable relative to the stand about a substantially vertical rotation axis. A neck member is connected to the turning member such that the neck member is linearly reciprocable along a bobbing axis. A drive system is operative to rotate the turning member about the rotation axis and reciprocate the neck member linearly along the bobbing axis.  
           [0007]    According to further embodiments of the present invention, a multiple motion toy includes a stand and a body assembly overlying the stand. The body assembly includes a turning member connected to the stand. The turning member is rotatable relative to the stand about a substantially vertical rotation axis. A leg member is connected to the body assembly such that the leg member is pivotable relative to the body assembly and the stand about a leg axis. A drive system is operative to rotate the turning member about the rotation axis and swing the leg member back and forth about the leg axis.  
           [0008]    Objects of the present invention will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art from a reading of the figures and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments which follow, such description being merely illustrative of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]    [0009]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a motion toy according to the present invention;  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the motion toy of FIG. 1;  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 3 is a partial, enlarged, exploded view of portions of the motion toy of FIG. 1;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view of a stand and a drive system of the motion toy of FIG. 1;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 5 is a perspective, enlarged, fragmentary view of a neck member and an upper transmission assembly of the motion toy of FIG. 1;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of the motion toy of FIG. 1 including the drive system thereof;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional, schematic view of the motion toy of FIG. 1;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the motion toy of FIG. 1 wherein the neck member is in a lower position;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the motion toy of FIG. 1 wherein an oscillating body subassembly thereof is in a rightward tilted position, a left leg member thereof is displaced leftwardly, and the neck member is in an upper position;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 10 is a schematic view of the motion toy of FIG. 1 wherein the oscillating body subassembly is in a leftward tilted position and a right leg member is displaced rightwardly;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a motion toy according to the prior art; and  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 12 is a front, cross-sectional view of the of the motion toy of FIG. 11. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0021]    The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.  
         [0022]    With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a motion toy according to the present invention is shown therein and generally designated  10 . The toy  10  includes generally a stand  1 , a drive system  2  and a body assembly  3 . The stand  1  provides a stationary support for the toy  10 , and the drive system  2  moves the body assembly  3  relative to the stand  1  to provide entertaining motion. According to preferred embodiments, this motion includes simultaneous movements of various different components of the body assembly  3 . Moreover, according to certain preferred embodiments, these several movements cooperate to simulate dancing.  
         [0023]    Turning to the construction of the toy  10  in more detail, and as best seen in FIGS. 1, 2,  4 ,  6  and  7 , the stand  1  includes a base  11  having a pair of upstanding posts or supports  111 . The supports  111  are arranged and configured to cooperatively position a motor  21  and all of the gears of a lower transmission assembly  22  of the drive system  2  in the manner shown and described below. An upper cover  12  overlies and is secured to the base  11 . The upper cover  12  has a hole  121  formed in an upper wall thereof.  
         [0024]    The lower transmission assembly  22  includes a first gear  221 , a second gear  222 , a third gear  223 , a fourth gear  224 , a transmission gear  225  and a coupled driving gear  226 . The gears  222 ,  223 ,  224 ,  225 ,  226  and the motor  21  are retained by an inner cover  23  which is secured to the base  11  by the supports  111 . As best seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, the aforementioned gears and the inner cover  23  are enclosed between the base  11  and the upper cover  12 .  
         [0025]    A suitable microprocessor or the like may be provided to control the operation of the motor  21 . The motor and other electronics may be provided with power by a battery and/or an electrical cord.  
         [0026]    As best seen in FIGS. 4 and 6, the drive axle or shaft of the motor  21  is operatively coupled to the first gear  221  by a drive belt  21 A which is retained by a peripheral groove in the first gear  221 . The teeth  221 A of the first gear  221  are meshed with the second gear  222 , which is in turn meshed with the third gear  223 . The third gear  223  and the fourth gear  224  are each meshed with the coupled driving gear  226 . The fourth gear  224  is also meshed with the transmission gear  225  (see FIGS. 2 and 6).  
         [0027]    The transmission gear  225  includes a stabilizing flange  2251 , a lower toothed portion  225 A (see FIG. 7), and an axle slot  2252 . The outer diameter of the transmission gear  225  extending above the stabilizing flange  2251  is sized to pass through an axle hole  2261  of the coupled driving gear  226 . The inner diameter of the axle hole  2261  and the outer diameter of the gear  225  define a holding slot  2262  therebetween. The holding slot  2262  is exposed through a hole  231  in the inner cap  23 .  
         [0028]    As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 5, the drive system  2  further comprises an upper transmission assembly  24  including a gear rod  241 . The gear rod  241  has a stop flange  2412  adjacent the lower end thereof, a joint end or plug  2413  below the stop flange  2412 , and a gear  2411  on the upper end of the gear rod  241 . The joint end  2413  is sized and configured to key into the axle slot  2252  of the transmission gear  225  for rotation with the gear  225 . The gear  2411  is meshed with a vertical gear portion  2421  of a variable gear  242 .  
         [0029]    The variable gear  242  rotates about a pin  242 A and is meshed with and operative to drive a first eccentric gear  243  which in turn drives a second eccentric gear  244 . The first eccentric gear  243  rotates about a pin  243 A and has a cam rod  2431  extending forwardly therefrom. The second eccentric gear  244  has a cam rod  244 A extending rearwardly therefrom and rotates about a pin  244 B.  
         [0030]    The drive system  2  further includes a spring  245  (see FIGS. 2 and 7) surrounding a fixed post  335  of a rear pivot member  33  as described in more detail below.  
         [0031]    The body assembly  3  (FIGS. 1 and 2) includes generally a rear turning member  31 , a pair of leg members  32 , a rear pivot member  33 , a neck member  34 , a neck cap  35 , a front pivot member  36 , a front turning member  37  and a pair of body shells  38 . The neck member  34  and the neck cap  35  combine to form a neck subassembly  3 A. The leg members  32  include feet  323 . A head member  39  (see FIG. 7) may be mounted on the neck member  34 . Clothing or the like may also be mounted over the body assembly  3 .  
         [0032]    As best seen in FIG. 3, the rear turning member  31  includes a joint portion  311  on its lower end. A locating slot  3111  is positioned over the joint portion  311 . A contoured slot  312  is formed in the rear turning member  31 . A fixed pivot support  313  is positioned over the contoured slot  312  and extends forwardly from the rear turning member  31 . A second fixed pivot support  315  is positioned between the slot  312  and the support  315  and extends forwardly from the rear turning member  31 . A cam rod  314  extends rearwardly from the opposite side of the rear turning member  31 . The cam rod  314  is adapted to be inserted into pivot holes  321  of the leg members  32 .  
         [0033]    The rear pivot member  33  includes a contoured slot  331 , a forwardly extending hollow rod  332 , a fixed part  333 , a rearwardly extending fixed support  334 , and an upper fixed projection  335 . A vertical slot  3331  is formed in the fixed part  333 . The rear pivot member  33  may include bores for receiving support projections  381  (or fasteners) extending from the interior surface of the adjacent body shell  38  (see FIG. 2).  
         [0034]    The neck member  34  has a horizontal slot  341 , a locating opening or slot  342 , and an extended neck portion  343 . A vertical slot  3431  is formed in the neck portion  343 . The neck cap  35  is mounted over the neck portion  343  which, along with the spring  245 , is received in a holding slot  351  of the neck cap  35  (see FIG. 2).  
         [0035]    A front opening  361  and side openings  36 C are formed in the front pivot member  36 . Hollow projections or bores  362  and  36 B extend from the front surface of the front pivot member  36 . The opening  361  allows a support projection  37 A to extend therethrough to engage the axle pin  244 B of the gear  244 . The bores  362  receive inwardly extending support projections (or fasteners) from the interior of the adjacent front body shell  38 . The bore  36 B pivotably holds a pivot rod  372  which extends rearwardly from the front turning member  37 . A joint portion  371  is located on the lower end of the front turning member  37 .  
         [0036]    The construction of the toy  10  may be better appreciated from the description of a method of assembling the toy  10  that follows. The motor  21  and the transmission assembly  22  are assembled on the base  11 , and the inner cap  23  is secured thereover by the supports  111 . The coupled driving gear  226  extends upwardly through the hole  231  in the inner cover  23 . The cover  12  is placed over the base  11  such that the hole  121  is aligned with the coupled driving gear  226 .  
         [0037]    The pivot rod  313  is inserted through the hollow support rod  332 . The outer diameter of the pivot rod  313  and the inner diameter of the hollow support rod  332  are selected such that the pivot rod  313  may rotate freely within the support rod  332 . The locating support  315  of the rear turning member  31  is inserted through the contoured slot  331  of the rear pivot member  33 . The locating support  334  is received in the contoured slot  312 . The rear cam rod  314  of the rear turning member  31  is then inserted through the pivot holes  321  of the leg members  32 . The locating support  334  is inserted into the gap between the two leg members  32 .  
         [0038]    The gear rod  241  of the upper transmission assembly  24  is inserted into the rear turning member  31 . The stop flange  2412  is received in the locating slot  3111  so that vertical displacement of the gear rod  241  is limited. The pin  242 A is inserted through the variable gear  242  and into the locating support  315  to locate the gear  242 . The vertical gear portion  2421  meshes with the gear  2411  of the gear rod  241 . The first eccentric gear  243  is then located on the pivot rod  313  of the rear turning member  31  by the pin  243 A which is inserted through the gear  243  and into the pivot rod  313 . The gear  243  is meshed with the variable gear  242 .  
         [0039]    The spring  245  is placed about the outer diameter of the fixed post  335  such that it is supported by the upper shoulder  33 A of the rear pivot member  33 . The neck member  34  is mated with the rear pivot member  33  such that the cam rod  2431  of the first eccentric gear  243  is received in the horizontal slot  341  of the neck member  34  (see FIG. 5). The cap  35  and the neck portion  343  are joined together such that the spring  245  is then located inside the holding slot  351  of the cap  35  and compressed between the shoulder  33 A and an upper wall  352  of the cap  35 . The second eccentric gear  244  is meshed with the first eccentric gear  243 , and the rod  244 A of the second eccentric gear  244  is inserted into the vertical slot  3331 .  
         [0040]    The front pivot member  36  is then mated with the rear pivot member  33 . The axle pin  244 B of the second eccentric gear  244  is inserted into the inwardly projecting support  37 A of the front turning member  37 . The support  37 A extends through the openings  361  and  342 . A guide rod  36 A secured to and extending rearwardly from the front pivot member  36  is inserted through the vertical slot  3431  of the neck portion  343 .  
         [0041]    The front turning member  37  is then mated with the rear turning member  31  about the front and rear pivot members  33 ,  36 . The pivot rod  372  is inserted into the bore  36 B. The support  37 A may be replaced with a recess in the inner surface of the front turning member  37  and a pin fitted between and within each of the recess and the bore  36 B.  
         [0042]    The body shells  38  are placed about the turning members  31 ,  37  and the pivot members  33 ,  36  such that these components are received in the interior cavities of the body shells  38 . The supports  381  extending inwardly from the front shell  38  are inserted into the bores  362  on the front side of the front pivot member  36 . The front pivot member  36  is secured to the rear pivot member  33 . The body shells  38  are secured to one another, whereby the rear body shell  38  is coupled to the front pivot member  36 . Preferably, the rear body shell  38  is also secured to the rear turning member  31  by engagement between the supports  381  and bores on the rear face of the turning member  31  corresponding to the bores  362 .  
         [0043]    The joint portions  311 ,  371  are inserted through the holes  121 ,  231  and into the holding slot  2262  of the coupled driving gear  226 . The joint portions  311 ,  371  may be held in place in the holding slot  2262  by a friction fit or by a suitable fastener or adhesive. The joint end  2413  is inserted into the axle slot  2252  of the transmission gear  225 .  
         [0044]    The toy  10  may be formed of any suitable materials. For example, with exception of the motor  21 , the components of the toy  10  may be formed of a polymeric material. For clarity, certain fasteners or other securing means (e.g., adhesives) are not shown in the drawings. The appropriate locations for placement of such fasteners and suitable types of fasteners will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the description herein.  
         [0045]    The components described above cooperate to provide several distinct movements to the body assembly  3  relative to the base  1 . These movements include clockwise and counterclockwise rotation and side-to-side tilting or oscillating of the body, side-to-side swinging or oscillating of the leg members  32 , and up-and-down bobbing movement of the neck subassembly  3 A.  
         [0046]    When actuated, the motor  21  drives the first gear  221  via the belt  21 A. The first gear  221  in turn causes the second and third gears  222 ,  223  to turn. The third gear  223  drives the coupled driving gear  226 . The rear and front turning members  31 ,  37  are fixedly coupled to the coupled driving gear  226  by the joint portions  311 ,  371  so that the turning members  31 ,  37  are thereby rotated clockwise (i.e., as indicated by the directional arrow R 1  in FIG. 1) or counterclockwise (i.e., as indicated by the directional arrow R 2  in FIG. 1) about a vertical rotation axis A-A (see FIG. 9) extending through the center of the coupled driving gear  226 . Because the remainder of the body assembly  3  is directly or indirectly supported by the turning members  31 ,  37 , the entirety of the shell assembly  3  is rotated. The drive direction of the motor  21  may be alternatingly reversed to turn the body assembly  3  alternatingly in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions.  
         [0047]    Additionally, the coupled driving gear  226  drives the fourth gear  224  by engagement with the fourth gear&#39;s inner (upper) teeth  224 A. The fourth gear  224  in turn drives the transmission gear  225 , the lower toothed portion  225 A of which meshes with the fourth gear&#39;s outer (lower) teeth  224 B. Because the joint end  2413  is keyed into the axle slot  2252  of the transmission gear  225 , the gear rod  241  (and, hence, the gear  2411 ) rotates with the transmission gear  225 . Alternatively, the lower teeth  223 A or a further set of teeth on the third gear  223  may engage the lower toothed portion  225 A to rotate the transmission gear  225 , in which case the fourth gear  224  may be omitted.  
         [0048]    The gear  2411  in turn drives the variable gear  242 , which drives the first eccentric gear  243 . The cam rod  2431  of the first eccentric gear  243  is captured in the horizontal slot  341 . The cam rod  2431  may slide freely left and right relative to the neck member  34  as the first eccentric gear  243  rotates. However, as the first eccentric gear  243  rotates, the “vertical” aspect of the movement of the cam rod  2431  parallel to a bobbing axis B-B (see FIG. 9) causes the cam rod  2431  to lift and lower the neck subassembly  3 A (i.e., the neck member  34  and the neck cap  35 ) relative to the remainder of the body assembly  3  (including the body shells  38 ), the transmission assembly  2 , and the stand  1  along the bobbing axis B-B. The movement of the neck member  34  is guided by the rod  36 A which slides freely along the vertical slot  3431 . The spring  245  biases the neck subassembly  3 A upward to ensure smooth operation.  
         [0049]    In this manner, the neck subassembly  3 A and any attachments to the upper end thereof are provided with a reciprocating, linear motion which gives the appearance of bobbing. More particularly, the neck subassembly  3 A moves alternatingly in an upward direction U to an upper, extended position as shown in FIG. 9 and in a downward direction D to a lower, retracted position as shown in FIG. 8 along or substantially parallel to the bobbing axis B-B. Notably, as a result of the tilting movement discussed below, the bobbing axis B-B may differ from the rotation axis A-A at times.  
         [0050]    The toy  10  also provides for a side-to-side tilting motion relative to the stand  1  about a horizontal pivot axis C-C (see FIG. 1). More particularly and as described in greater detail below, the neck member  34 , the front and rear pivot members  33 ,  36 , the cap  35  and the spring  245  are rotated clockwise and counterclockwise about the pivot rod  372  and the support rod  313 .  
         [0051]    The first eccentric gear  243  drives the second eccentric gear  244 . The cam rod  244 A is captured in the vertical slot  3331  so that the cam rod  244 A may slide freely up and down as the second eccentric gear  244  rotates. However, the horizontal aspect of the movement of the cam rod  244 A as the gear  244  rotates causes the rear pivot member  33 , the front pivot member  36  (which is affixed to the rear pivot member  33 ), the neck member  34 , the cap  35 , the body shells  38  and the spring  245  (collectively, an oscillating body subassembly  3 B) to pivot as a unit about the rod  372  at the pivot bore  36 B and about the pivot rod  313  at the hollow support rod  332 . The contoured slots  312  and  331  allow the oscillating body subassembly  3 B to pivot without interference between the rod  334  and the rear turning member  31  or between the rod  315  and the rear pivot member  33 .  
         [0052]    In this manner, the oscillating body subassembly  3 B is alternatingly pivoted in a clockwise or rightward direction T 1  to a rightwardly tilted position as shown in FIG. 9 and in a counterclockwise or leftward direction T 2  to a leftwardly tilted position as shown in FIG. 10 such that the oscillating body subassembly  3 B tilts away from the vertical rotation axis A-A about the horizontal pivot axis C-C of the pivot rod  372  or the pivot rod  313 . Because the oscillating body subassembly  3 B may be rotated about the vertical rotation axis A-A with the remainder of the body assembly  3  in the manner described above, the actual directions of tilting may vary. Notably, the bobbing axis B-B, which is defined by the positions of the pivot members  33 ,  36 , is reoriented relative to the vertical rotation axis A-A as the oscillating body subassembly tilts in the directions T 1  and T 2 . Accordingly, the bobbing axis B-B and the directions U, D of upward and downward movement are continuously varied as the oscillating body subassembly  3 B tilts about the pivot axis C-C and rotates about the rotation axis A-A.  
         [0053]    In addition to the tilting of the pivot members  33 ,  36  and the other components noted above, the leg members  32  are pivoted upwardly and downwardly in the following manner. As the pivot members  33 ,  36  tilt in the direction T 1 , the rod  334  swings leftward in the contoured slot  312 , abuts the inside surface  322  of the left leg member  32 , and pivots the left leg member  32  upwardly about the rod  314  in a leftward direction L 1  to a leftward, raised position as shown in FIG. 9. Similarly, when the pivot members  33 ,  36  tilt in the direction T 2 , the rod  334  swings rightward, abuts the inside surface  322  of the right leg member  32 , and pivots the right leg member  32  upwardly about the rod  314  in a rightward direction L 2  to a rightward, raised position as shown in FIG. 10. Preferably, the right leg member  32  and the left leg member  32  pivot independently of one another.  
         [0054]    The foregoing body rotating, body tilting, neck reciprocating and leg swinging motions are preferably executed simultaneously. The frequencies and distances of these movements may be selected to simulate dancing or the like. Moreover, the movements may be choreographed to music, for example, music from a suitable device which is actuated upon actuation of the motor  21 . The frequencies of the respective motions may be different from one another.  
         [0055]    The foregoing is illustrative of the present invention and is not to be construed as limiting thereof. Although a few exemplary embodiments of this invention have been described, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the claims. Therefore, it is to be understood that the foregoing is illustrative of the present invention and is not to be construed as limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications to the disclosed embodiments, as well as other embodiments, are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. The invention is defined by the following claims, with equivalents of the claims to be included therein.