Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    A. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to toys which may be manipulated by hand. More particularly, the invention relates to miniature humanoid figures which may be dynamically manipulated to simulate human activities such as bike riding.  
           [0003]    B. Description of Background Art  
           [0004]    A variety of toys exist which include miniature three-dimensional figures that are either accurate, stylized or comedic representations of humans or animals, or of fanciful or contrived creatures. Some toys of this type include a rigid figurine rigidly attached to a model of a movable object such as a skateboard or bicycle. For example, Takahashi, U.S. Pat. No. D 259,647, Jun. 23, 1981, Skateboard Figure Toy, discloses an ornamental design for a rigid comedic skateboard rider figurine rigidly mounted to a toy skateboard, the latter having a pair of front wheels at opposite ends of a laterally disposed front axle, a pair of rear wheels at opposite ends of a rear axle, a driven gear attached coaxially to the rear axle inwardly of a rear wheel, and a drive gear meshed with the driven gear and rotatably powered by a spring or inertia motor.  
           [0005]    Another toy that includes a figurine combined with a miniature vehicle is described in Mangold, U.S. Pat. No. 2,645,056, Jul. 14, 1952, Toy Vehicle With Moving Figure, which discloses a toy vehicle, especially a toy motorcycle provided with a toy cyclist supported by the feet thereof by a mechanism coupled to a wheel rotated by longitudinal movement of the cycle on the ground, the mechanism causing the cyclist to cyclically lean forward to a prone position and back to a standing position. The cyclist has no movable joints.  
           [0006]    A toy which interchangeably supports various dolls in a fixed position is described in Echelmeier, U.S. Pat. No. 2,820,324, Doll Walker, which discloses a doll walker comprising essentially a wheeled cart including an upright or stanchion rod R having attached thereto upper and lower endless elastic belts securable around the chest and ankles, respectively of a doll standing on the upper surface of the cart.  
           [0007]    Cleveland, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,574,969, Apr. 13, 1971, A Walking Doll And Wheeled Scooter Combination, discloses a miniature scooter for use with a walking doll to allow the doll to push and ride the scooter. The scooter includes a low flexible platform for receiving one foot of the doll, a hook for loosely capturing the foot on the scooter, and a handlebar that lies immediately in front of the doll&#39;s abdomen to prevent forward tipping.  
           [0008]    Oishi et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 4,836,819, Jun. 15, 1984, Skateboarding Toy, discloses a skateboarding toy which includes a mechanism frame that supports a toy body having the appearance of a monkey, in an erect but horizontally rotatable disposition on a skateboard which has a spring motor powered drive wheel and front steering wheels, and a steering rod for operating the front wheels. When the drive wheel is driven, the toy body with the skateboard is advanced in a straight direction, and when the steering rod is moved back and forth, the front wheels are turned horizontally towards the right and left alternately with respect to the advancing direction of the skateboard, so that the skateboard runs along a snaking path. The toy body rides sideways on the skateboard and twists the upper half of its body while appearing to steer the skateboard in a zigzag line as if the toy animal were enjoying the skateboarding. The left and right arms of the toy animal are shown hanging to its sides, but may be manually rotated on shoulder pivot joints having generally horizontally disposed pivot axes to a raised position, or to a front or back position and then set there, so that with the raised arms, the toy animal looks as if it were balancing on its skateboard while skateboarding in a snaking path.  
           [0009]    The present invention was conceived of to provide toy action figures having joints which are selectably articulateable, each figure having protruding from its body a stem which may be grasped by the hand of a user and used to manipulate the figure to execute life-like motions.  
         OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION  
         [0010]    An object of the present invention is to provide three-dimensional toy action figures each including a figurine which has body member joints that are selectably articulateable to enable the figurine to realistically simulate motions of a human body performing specific activities.  
           [0011]    Another object of the invention is to provide toy action figurines, each of which has certain body member joints which are fixed to maintain a fixed arrangement between certain pairs of body members, and other body member joints which are so constructed as to enable other pairs of body members to move freely relative to one another, the combination of fixed and freely movable joints enabling the figurines to be manipulated to realistically simulate fluid, athletic motions of a human body in performing activities, particularly those of an athletic type.  
           [0012]    Another object of the invention is to provide toy action figurines, each of which has a particular combination of fixed and movable body member joints, and a manipulating stem which protrudes from the body of the action figure and which may be grasped by the hand of a user and used to manipulate the figurine, thereby causing the figure to execute life-like motions.  
           [0013]    Another object of the invention is to provide toy action figurines, each of which represents a person engaging in a particular physical activity, each action figurine being provided with a particular combination of body member joints, some of which are readily pivotable but provided with stops to limit the angular extent of pivotable motion, and some of which are not readily pivotable, that combination resulting in a realistic simulation of the motion of human members during performance of a particular human physical activity, when the toy action figurine is tilted and/or turned.  
           [0014]    Another object of the invention is to provide toy action figurines, each of which has a plurality of body member joints, some of which are freely movable but provided with angular excursion limiting stops, and some of which are not readily movable, the combination of freely movable and not freely movable joints being so arranged as to allow each figure to be manipulated to realistically simulate fluid athletic motions of the human body in performing particular athletic activities, each figure including means enabling the figure to be manipulated.  
           [0015]    Another object of the invention is to provide toy action figurines, each of which has a plurality of body member joints, some of which are freely movable but provided with angular excursion limiting stops, and some of which are not readily movable, the combination of freely movable and not freely movable joints being so arranged as to allow each figurine to be manipulated to realistically simulate fluid athletic motions of the human body in performing particular athletic activities, each figurine including a stem protruding from the body of the figurine which is adapted to being grasped by the hand of a person to manipulate the figurine.  
           [0016]    Another object of the invention is to provide toy action figurines, each of which has protruding from the body thereof a manipulating stem which is adapted to be grasped by the hand of a person to manipulate the figurine to simulate motions of a full-size object which a figurine is patterned after, the stem being provided with a ring-shaped portion adapted to insertably receive the fingertip of a person, thereby enabling the figurine to be orbited around the finger tip, thus facilitating rotational motions in a vertical plane of the figurine, as well as translations and rotations about the axis of the stem.  
           [0017]    Another object of the invention is to provide toy action figures, each of which includes a figurine which is a miniature three-dimensional representation of a human being or other animal, the figurine being attached to a miniature three-dimensional model of a motorcycle, bicycle, skateboard, or other such vehicle, each figurine having a plurality of body member joints some of which are freely movable but provided with angular excursion limiting stops, and some of which are not readily movable, the combination of freely movable and not freely movable joints being so arranged as to allow each figurine to be manipulated to realistically simulate fluid athletic motions of the human body in performing particular athletic activities, each figurine including a stem protruding from the body of the figurine which is adapted to being grasped by the hand of a person to manipulate the figurine.  
           [0018]    Various other objects and advantages of the present invention, and its most novel features, will become apparent to those skilled in the art by perusing the accompanying specification, drawings and claims.  
           [0019]    It is to be understood that although the invention disclosed herein is fully capable of achieving the objects and providing the advantages described, the characteristics of the invention described herein are merely illustrative of the preferred embodiments. Accordingly, we do not intend that the scope of our exclusive rights and privileges in the invention be limited to details of the embodiments described. We do intend that equivalents, adaptations and modifications of the invention reasonably inferable from the description contained herein be included within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0020]    Briefly stated, the present invention comprehends miniature toy action figures, each including a figurine which is a miniature three-dimensional representation of a full-size object, particularly of a human or other animal, the figurine having selectably articulateable joints and a manipulating stem which may be manipulated by the thumb and/or fingers of a person to cause the figure to execute movements which realistically simulate movements of a full-size counterpart serving as a model for a particular miniature figure. A main embodiment of toy action figures according to the present invention includes miniature three-dimensional humanoid figurines which realistically simulate the appearance of a person engaging in an athletic exercise such as performing trick motions on a bicycle, when the figurine is suitably manipulated by a person grasping and manipulating a stem which protrudes from the head or back of the figure.  
           [0021]    According to the invention, each three-dimensional action figurine is provided with a plurality of selectably articulateable joints that connect various pairs of body members of the figurine. Selectably articulateable here refers to the fact that certain of the joints are fixed, or immovable, while certain of the joints may be “poseable”, i.e., pivotable, but which include friction-producing elements between relatively moving members, thus allowing the relative disposition between selected body members to be adjusted into a pose which is retained as the body is moved. Also, according to the invention, certain joints between certain body member pairs of each figurine are so constructed as to be freely pivotable, with minimal frictional forces which might inhibit certain types of relative motion between those body members.  
           [0022]    The frictional force between body member pairs joined by certain freely pivotable joints is made sufficiently small so that the body members pivot relative to ane another in response to torques exerted by gravity on the members as the figure is tilted or rotated using the manipulating stem.  
           [0023]    According to the present invention, certain of the freely pivotable joints are accompanied by appendages such as plates or pins which are fastened to discrete locations of a particular action figure to function as limit stops which limit the angular extent of relative pivotable motion of otherwise freely pivotable body members.  
           [0024]    An example embodiment of a three-dimensional toy action figure according to the present invention includes a figurine depicting a bicyclist which is moveably attached to a miniature bicycle model, e.g., in a seated position. The wrist and elbow joints of the bicyclist are preferably fixed so that the bicyclist&#39;s arms are generally straight and disposed perpendicularly outwardly with respect to the bicyclist&#39;s chest. A loose joint shoulder joint between the shoulder and upper end of each arm allows each arm to rotate freely in a generally vertical plane. The thumb and fingers of both hands of the bicyclist form a pair of laterally inwardly facing, semi-tubular openings which rotatably receive the handle bar grips of the bicycle. To secure the bicyclist to the bicycle, the lower surface of each of the bicyclist&#39;s two feet is fastened to the upper surface of separate pedal of the bicycle.  
           [0025]    In the toy action figure described above, with the bicyclist seated in an upright position on the bicycle seat, grasping a manipulating stem protruding from the bicyclist&#39;s head and tilting it forward relative to the front wheel of the bicycle causes the torso of the bicyclist to pivot forward relative to his arms, thus resulting in the bicyclist assuming a prone position relative to the bicycle. Tilting the manipulating stem backwards causes the bicyclist&#39;s torso to pivot rearwardly, resulting in torques exerted by gravity acting on the front portion of the bicycle and the hands of and arms of the bicyclist to cause the arms to pivot downwardly about the shoulder joints. Downward movement of each arm is limited by a separate limit pin which protrudes laterally outwardly from the torso, at a location below and forward of the shoulder joint pivot axis. Thus, if the manipulating stem is tilted sufficiently far rearward, the arms of the bicyclist abut the stop pins to thereby limit relative pivotal motion between the arms and torso, and causing the front of the bicycle to lift off of the ground, simulating a “wheelie.” During these motions, relatively loose, freely pivotable ball joints between the upper end of each leg and pelvis, analogous to human hip joints, enable the legs to move realistically in response to the force of gravity as the figure is tilted.  
           [0026]    The example action figure described above also includes on one leg thereof a shin guard-like bar which protrudes upwardly towards a knee joint to abut the upper leg and thereby limit straightening of the lower leg relative to upper leg to a predetermined angular extension limit which results in realistic motion of the bicyclist relative to the bicycle, as the action figure is manipulated. In a preferred embodiment, the stem protruding from a figurine is provided near the upper end thereof with a ring-shaped portion adapted to insertably receive a finger tip of a person manipulating the figurine, enabling the figurine to be orbited in partial or full circles around the finger tip, by rotating the wrist, for example. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0027]    [0027]FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a poseable prior art toy figure.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 2 is a right side elevation view of an embodiment of a toy action figure with selectably articulateable pivotable joints according to the present invention, that figure comprising a miniature bicyclist figurine attached to a miniature bicycle and showing the figure in a seated position.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 3A is a front elevation view of the article of FIG. 2.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 3B is a partly broken away front elevation view of the action figure of FIG. 3A, on an enlarged scale.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 3C is a fragmentary view of the action figurine of FIG. 3B on a further enlarged scale, showing the left arm thereof in a laterally outwardly extending position.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 3D is a fragmentary view of the figurine of FIG. 3B, showing a left knee joint thereon.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 3E is a front perspective view showing a right knee joint of the action figure of FIG. 3B, showing a motion limiting shin guard bar thereof.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 3F is a side elevation view of the joint of FIG. 3D, showing the right lower leg in a maximum rearwardly bent disposition.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 3G is side elevation view of the joint of FIG. 3D, showing the right lower leg in a maximum forward, straightened disposition.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 4 is a left side elevation view of the action figure of FIG. 2 showing how the figure may be orbited about a finger tip inserted into a ring-shaped portion of a manipulating stem of the figure.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 5 is a rear elevation view of the action figure shown in FIG. 4.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 6 is an upper plan view of the action figure of FIG. 2.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 7 is a lower plan view of the action figure of FIG. 2.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 8 is a left side elevation view of the action figure of FIG. 2, showing the bicyclist in a standing position and a manipulating stem thereof grasped by an operator&#39;s thumb and forefinger of his right hand.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 9 is a view similar to that of FIG. 8, but showing the bicyclist and bicycle rotated ninety degrees clockwise in a horizontal plane by action of the operator&#39;s thumb and forefinger.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 10 is a left side elevation view similar to that of FIG. 8, but showing the bicyclist and bicycle rotated ninety degrees clockwise (rearward), in a vertical plane by action of the operator&#39;s wrist.  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 11 is a left side elevation view similar to that of FIG. 10, but showing the bicyclist and bicycle rotated counterclockwise (forward) in a vertical plane by the operator.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 12 is a view similar to that of FIG. 11, but showing an alternate embodiment of the figure in which a manipulating stem of the bicyclist is mounted to the back rather than the head.  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 13 is a fragmentary view of the bicyclist of FIG. 4, showing a first modification of a manipulating stem thereof.  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 14 is a fragmentary view of the bicyclist of FIG. 4, showing a second modification of a manipulating stem thereof.  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 15 is a fragmentary view of the bicyclist of FIG. 4, showing a third modification of a manipulating stem thereof. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0048]    [0048]FIG. 1 illustrates a prior-art poseable miniature figurine with poseable joints, while FIGS.  2 - 15  illustrate a toy action figure with manipulating stem and selectably articulateable joints according to the present invention.  
         [0049]    Referring first to FIG. 1, a prior-art miniature figurine  10  with moveable joints is shown to comprise a miniature three-dimensional model which resembles a human being, having a head  11 , torso  12 , right and left upper arms  13 R,  13 L, forearms  14 R,  14 L, hands  15 R,  15 L, pelvis  16 , upper legs  17 R,  17 L, lower legs  18 R,  18 L, and feet  19 R,  19 L. As shown in FIG. 1, poseable miniature figurine  10  includes a plurality of joints of different types that enable relative movement between pairs of body members. Each of these joints has relatively moving surfaces between which substantial frictional forces exist. This arrangement enables body parts or members to be moved into a desired disposition or “posed,” relative to one another, the frictional forces between joint members retaining the pose chosen for the figurine by a person who has manipulated the figurine members. Thus, as shown in FIG. 1, miniature figurine  10  includes shoulder rotator joints  21 R,  21 L between torso  12  and right and left upper arms  13 R,  13 L, respectively. Each shoulder rotator joint  21 R,  21 L includes a headed pin  31  having a generally horizontally disposed shank  32  and head  33  rotatable in a socket (not shown) within torso  12 . The outer lateral end  34  of each rotator joint  21 R,  21 L terminates in a shoulder boss  34 R,  34 L, each of which holds a pivot pin  35 R,  35 L. The latter pivot pins are disposed transversely to the axes of inner shoulder rotator joint pins  31 R,  31 L. Also, the upper end portion of each upper arm  13 R,  13 L has formed in the upper transverse end face thereof a centrally located, rectangularly shaped, axially inwardly disposed slot  13 SR,  13 SL which bifurcates the upper end portion into front and rear tabs  131 R,  131 L. Slots  13 SR,  13 SL receive therewithin shoulder bosses  34 R,  34 L which are pivotably held therewithin by pivot pins  35 R,  35 L. The foregoing elements comprise shoulder swivel joints  22 R,  22 L which enable upper arms  13 R,  13 L to be pivoted around an axis perpendicular to that of an inner shoulder rotator joint pin, i.e., in a vertical plane for right upper arm  13 R, as shown in FIG. 1, and in a plane perpendicular to the paper for left upper arm  13 L positioned as shown in FIG. 1.  
         [0050]    The lower portion of right and left upper arms  13 R,  13 L of poseable figurine  10  are rotatable upon their respective longitudinal axes with respect to upper portions of the upper arms  13 R,  12 L by means of joints  23 R,  23 L, each having a longitudinally disposed pivot axis  36 R,  36 L.  
         [0051]    Poseable miniature figurine  10  also includes elbow joints  24 R,  24 L, which permit pivotable motion of forearms  14 R,  14 L within the plane of upper arms  13 L,  13 R, respectively.  
         [0052]    As shown in FIG. 1, poseable miniature figurine  10  is also provided with a pelvic joint  25  that enables pivotable motion of pelvis  16  relative to torso  12 , along an axis generally corresponding to the spine of the miniature figure. Pelvic joint  25  includes a fore and aft disposed upper anchor pin  40 , which is encircled by an endless elastic band  41 . The lower end of endless elastic band  41  is twisted 90 degrees, stretched taut, and held within the upstanding hook portion  42  of a laterally disposed leg support bar  43 . Leg support bar  43  has ball ends  44 R,  44 L on opposite lateral ends thereof, and is fitted with a groin arch  45  which depends downwardly from pelvis  16 . Ball ends  44 R,  44 L fit within sockets  46 R,  46 L provided in the upper ends of upper legs  17 R,  17 L respectively, the respective ball and socket combinations comprising universal joints  26 R,  26 L which permit movement of the upper legs relative to the pelvis.  
         [0053]    Miniature figurine  11  also includes knee joints  27 R,  27 L which enable pivotable motion in a plane of each lower leg  18 R,  18 L with respect to upper legs  17 R,  17 L, respectively. Each lower leg  18 R,  18 L is terminated at the lower end thereof by a foot  19 R,  19 L.  
         [0054]    FIGS.  2 - 15  illustrate an example embodiment of a three-dimensional toy action figure  50  with manipulating stem and selectably articulatable joints according to the present invention. Example embodiment  50  includes a three-dimensional figurine  51  depicting a bicyclist, which is movably attached to a miniature toy model  52  of a bicycle.  
         [0055]    Bicycle  52  is of conventional design, including a frame  53 , front and rear wheels  54  and  55 , drive sprocket wheel  56 , and right and left crank arms  57 R,  57 L which have foot pedals  58 R,  58 L pivotably attached to the outer ends thereof. Toy bicycle  52  also includes an upstanding seat post  59  terminated at the upper end thereof by a seat or saddle  60 . Bicycle  52  also includes a front fork  61  which holds a front axle  62  at its lower end. The upper portion of fork  61  is pivotably held within a head tube  63 , and has a stem  64  which protrudes upwardly of the head tube. Stem  64  has attached to the upper end thereof a pair of laterally and transversely disposed right and left handlebars  65 R,  65 L, terminated at the outer ends thereof by right and left handle grips  66 R,  66 L. As shown in FIG. 3A, bicycle  51  may optionally be provided with a pair of right and left front axle extension tubes  67 R,  67 L, which protrude laterally outwardly of front wheel  54 .  
         [0056]    Referring now to FIGS.  3 A- 3 F in addition to FIG. 2, bicyclist figurine  51  according to the present invention may be seen to comprise a miniature figurine which resembles a human being, having a head  71 , torso  72 , right and left upper arms  73 R,  73 L, forearms  74 R,  74 L, hands  75 R,  75 L, pelvis  76 , upper legs or thighs  77 R,  77 L, lower legs  78 R,  78 L, and feet  79 R,  79 L. As shown in FIGS.  2 - 3 F, and as is described in detail below, bicyclist figurine  51  has a plurality of joints of different types that enable pairs of body members connected by individual joints to be moved relative to one another. These joints are selectably articulatable, i.e., some being of a type which is fixed, or movable with difficulty, and others being of a type which enables relatively free movement between other pairs of body members. Moreover, toy bicyclist figurine  51  includes structural elements which limit the degree of angular excursion between certain pairs of body members. Thus, some of the joints of figurine  51  are constructed so as to have substantial frictional forces exerted between relatively moving surfaces of the joints. This arrangement enables certain pairs of body parts or members connected by this type of joint to be moved into a desired fixed disposition relative to one another, frictional forces between joint components retaining the disposition chosen for the figurines, simulating, for example, a bicyclist on a bicycle. Optionally, joints of this type may be immobilized, by adhesives or locking members, for example, or body members connected by such joints may be fabricated as unitary structures affording no enablement of relative movement between those body members.  
         [0057]    Bicyclist figurine  51  also includes certain joints which enable free relative movement between certain other pairs of body members. Thus, as may be seen best by referring to FIG. 3C, bicyclist figurine  51  has a pair of right and left elbow joints  84 R,  84 L, which join right and left upper arms  73 R,  73 L to right and left forearms  74 R,  74 L. Elbow joints  84 R,  84 L are so constructed as to maintain forearms  74 R,  74 L bent only slightly with respect to upper arms  73 R,  73 L, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3B. Thus, joints  84 R,  84 L may include in combination flanges  85 R,  85 L formed by reduced thickness, upper ends of forearms  74 R,  74 L, the flanges having flat longitudinally disposed bearing surface  86 R,  86 L which bear against similarly shaped bearing surfaces  87 R,  87 L of flanges  88 R,  88 L, formed by reduced thickness lower ends  87 R,  87 L of upper arms  73 R,  73 L.  
         [0058]    A pair of rivets  89 R,  89 L disposed transversely through flange ends  85 R,  85 L, and  87 R,  87 L function as pivot pins enabling pivotable relative motion between each forearm  74 R,  74 L and upper arm  73 R,  73 L. Rivets  89 R,  89 L have rounded heads  90 R,  90 L, flared ends  91 R,  91 L, which are secured sufficiently tightly against the outer surface of the forearms and upper arms to cause bearing surfaces  86 R,  86 L to press sufficiently tightly against bearing surfaces  88 R,  88 L as to enable pivotable, but frictionally retarded movement between each upper arm and forearm. Referring still to FIG. 3C, figurine  51  may be seen to include shoulder rotator joints  100 R,  100 L which connect the upper ends of upper arms  73 R,  73 L to torso  72 . Each shoulder rotator joint  100 R,  100 L includes a headed pin  101 R,  101 L having a generally horizontally disposed shank  102 R,  102 L and a head  103 R,  103 L, rotatable in a socket  104 R,  104 L. The outer lateral end  105 R,  105 L of each shoulder rotator joint  100 R,  100 L terminates in a shoulder boss  106 R,  106 L, each of which holds a pivot pin  107 R,  107 L. The latter pivot pines are disposed transversely to the axes of inner shoulder rotator joint pins  101 R,  101 L. Also the upper end portion of each upper arm  73 R,  73 L has formed in the upper transverse end face  108 R,  108 L thereof a centrally located, rectangularly shaped, axially inwardly disposed slot  109 R, which bifurcates the upper end portion of the arm into front and rear tabs  110 R,  110 L,  111 R,  111 L. Slots  109 R,  109 L receive therewithin shoulder bosses  106 R,  106 L which are pivotably held therewithin by pivot pins  107 R,  107 L. The foregoing elements comprise shoulder swivel joints  82 R,  82 L which enable upper arms  73 R,  73 L to be pivoted around an axis perpendicular to that of the inner should rotator joint pin, i.e., in a plane perpendicular to the paper for left, upper arm  73 L positioned as shown in FIG. 2C.  
         [0059]    Although not necessary for the functioning of bicyclist figurine  51  on bicycle  52 , the figurine may be provided with such joints which may be required for similar figurines combined with different vehicles and/or performing different physical activities, thus enabling different figurines to be manufactured using many of the same manufacturing steps. Thus, as shown in FIG. 3C, each upper arm  73 R,  73 L of bicyclist figurine  51  may be segmented into upper and lower portions  112 R,  113 L, respectively, the upper and lower portions being joined by a coaxially disposed axle pin  114 R,  114 L, forming upper arm rotator joints  83 R,  83 L that enable the upper and lower portions of the upper arm to be rotated relative to one another about a common longitudinal axis.  
         [0060]    Referring now primarily to FIG. 3B, it may be seen that bicyclist action figurine  51  is provided with a pelvic joint  115  that enables pivotable motion of pelvis  76  relative to torso  72 , along an axis generally corresponding to the spine of the figurine. Pelvic joint  115  includes a fore and aft disposed upper anchor pin  116  which is encircled by an endless elastic band  117 , preferably made from a durable elastomeric material such as synthetic rubber. The lower end of elastic band  117  is twisted 90 degrees, and held within the upstanding hook portion  119  of a laterally disposed leg support rod  118 . Leg support rod  118  has ball ends  120 R,  120 L on opposite lateral ends thereof, and is fitted within a groin arch  121  which depends downwardly from pelvis  76 . Ball ends  120 R,  120 L of leg support rod  118  fit loosely within sockets  121 R,  121 L provided in the upper ends of upper legs  77 R,  77 L, respectively, the ball and socket combinations comprising universal joints  122 R,  122 L which enable the upper legs to swivel relative to the pelvis. Bicyclist figuring  51  includes knee joints  123 R,  123 L which enable pivotable motion in a plane of each lower leg  78 R,  78 L with respect to an upper leg or thigh  77 R,  77 L, respectively. Thus, as shown in FIGS.  3 B and  3 D- 3 G, the lower end  124 R,  124 L of each thigh  77 R,  77 L has formed therein an axially upwardly protruding, generally rectangularly-shaped slot  125 R,  125 L. Slot  125 R,  125 L forms in each lower thigh-end  124 R,  124 L thin inner and outer web  126 R,  126 L,  127 R,  127 L having a generally semicircular planview shape. Each inner and outer web pair  126 R- 127 R,  126 L- 127 L, combined with slots  125 R,  125 L between the web pair members, functions as a clevis  128 R,  128 L. Thus, as shown in FIG. 3B and  3 D- 3 F, slot  125 R,  125 L of each clevis  128 R,  128 L receives therewithin a generally semicircular-shaped boss  129 R,  129 L which protrudes upwardly from the upper end  130 R,  130 L of lower leg  78 R,  78 L. Boss  129 R,  129 L is held within slot  125 R,  125 L by a knee joint pivot pin  131 R,  131 L which is fixed at opposite lateral ends thereof in laterally aligned bores  132 R,  132 L, and  133 R,  133 L provided through inner and outer clevis webs  126 R,  126 L and  127 R,  127 L, the knee joint pivot pin passing through a bore  134 R,  134 L which extends transversely through upper leg boss  129 R,  129 L, thus forming knee joints  123 R,  123 L.  
         [0061]    Referring now to FIG. 3F, it may be seen that knee joints  123 R,  123 L enable lower leg  78 R,  78 L, to be pivoted or bent rearwardly until the upper rear margin  136 R,  136 L of the calf  137 R,  137 L of the leg abuts lower rear margin  138 R,  138 L of thigh  77 R,  77 L. As shown in FIG. 3D, lower left leg  78 L may be pivoted forwardly until the upper transverse edge wall  129 L of a “shin bone”  140 L abuts a lower front margin  141 L of thigh  77 L. On the other hand, right hand knee joint  123 R is so constructed as to limit forward pivotable motion of lower right leg  78 R relative to thigh  77 R. Thus, as shown in FIGS.  3 B and  3 E- 3 G, lower right leg  78 R of figurine  51  is provided with a bar or rigid strap  142  which is affixed to the front surface or shin  143  of the lower right leg, and may therefore be referred to as a “shin guard”. Shin guard  142  protrudes above shin bone  140 R, and has a transversely disposed upper, edge wall  144 . Thus, as shown in FIG. 3G, forward motion of lower right leg  78 R relative to thigh  77 R is limited by abutting contact of upper transverse edge wall  144  of shin guard  142  with lower front margin  141 R of the right thigh.  
         [0062]    As shown in FIG. 3G, the addition of shin guard  142  limits the allowable forward motion of lower right leg  78 R relative to right thigh  77 R to an amount less than that of left lower leg  78 L relative to left thigh  77 L, i.e., to an amount which prevents the right lower leg from being fully aligned with or straightened with respect to the right thigh. Therefore, when torso  72  and right thigh  77 R are bent forward relative to pelvis  76  and right and left lower legs  78 R,  78 L, as shown in FIG. 10, right hand knee joint  123 R is prevented from being fully straightened by the action of shin guard  142 . This arrangement results in realistic motion of figurine  51  as action FIG. 50 is maneuvered as shown in FIGS.  8 - 12 .  
         [0063]    Referring again to FIGS. 2 and 3B, it may be seen that action figure 50 s provided with a manipulating stem  145 . In the embodiment  50  of an action figure shown in FIGS. 2 and 3B, manipulating stem  145  includes a stiff spring wire  146  which has a downwardly protruding lower end  147  which is held within a bore  148  that extends perpendicularly downwardly into head  71  of figurine  51 . As shown in the figures, bore  148  is preferably laterally and longitudinally centered with respect to head  71 .  
         [0064]    Manipulating stem  145  also includes a finger grip which may be readily grasped between the thumb and fingers of a person, particularly a child. The finger grip facilitates rotation of the stem about its longitudinal axis, to thereby rotate the action figure along an axis generally parallel to the spine of the action figurine, as well as facilitating pivoting the figure in a vertical plane, and translating the action figure vertically and/or horizontally. An embodiment  149  of a finger grip shown in FIGS. 2 and 3B comprises essentially a longitudinally elongated cylinder  150  having a diameter of about {fraction (3/16)} in. and a length of about ¾ in. inch. Cylinder  150  has a bore  151  which extends perpendicularly upwardly from lower transverse face  152  of the cylinder, the bore receiving the upwardly protruding upper end  153  of spring wire  146 . Preferably, the upper end of finger grip cylinder  150  is enlarged to help secure it within the grasp of a person, as for example, by being provided with an upper end flange  154 . As shown in FIG. 2, stem ring wire  146  preferably has formed therein a planar loop  155 . Loop  155  is of the appropriate diameter, e.g., about ⅝ inch, to insertably receive a person&#39;s finger tip. This construction enables figurine  51  and vehicle  52  to be orbited in full or partial circles around the finger tip, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Also, with stem wire  146  made of spring wire, loop  155  functions as a spring which enables figurine  51  and vehicle  52  to flex somewhat relative to finger grip  149  as action figure  50  is manipulated.  
         [0065]    FIGS.  4 - 12  illustrate how action figurine  50  according to the present invention, provided with selectably articulateable joints and a manipulating stem, are manipulated by the hand of a person to cause the figurine to realistically simulate motion of a human body in performing certain physical activities, which for the example embodiment shown in the figures and described above are activities associated with operation of a bicycle.  
         [0066]    Referring first to FIGS. 4 and 8, it may be seen that grasping manipulating stem  145  between the thumb and a finger of a person, and pulling upwardly on the manipulating stem, causes bicyclist figurine  51  of action figurine  50  to transition between a seated position on bicycle  52 , as shown in FIG. 4, to a standing position, as shown in FIG. 8. In making this transition between a seated and standing position, right and left upper arms  73 R,  73 L of bicyclist  51  rotate downwardly on inner shoulder rotator joints  100 R,  100 L, and right and left hands  75 R,  75 L rotate forward or counterclockwise as viewed from the left-hand side of the bicyclist, on handlebar grips  66 R,  66 L. Also during this transition, right and lower legs  78 R,  78 L rotate forwardly to a more nearly straight position relative to thighs  77 R,  77 L on knee joints  123 R  123 L.  
         [0067]    [0067]FIG. 9 illustrates the effects of rotating manipulating stem  145  ninety degrees clockwise between the thumb and forefinger, causing bicyclist  51  and bicycle  52  of action figure  50  to rotate ninety degrees to the right, as if to change course in that direction.  
         [0068]    [0068]FIG. 10 illustrates the effects of tilting manipulating stem  145  of action figure  50  rearwardly in a vertical midplane through action figurine  50 . This action causes torso  72  of bicyclist  51  to tilt forward to a position generally horizontal and more parallel to the frame  53  of bicycle  52 . During this maneuver, right and left upper arms  73 R,  73 L of bicyclist  51  rotate upwardly away from torso  72  on inner shoulder rotator joints  100 R,  100 L, and right and left hands  75 R,  75 L rotate rearwardly or clockwise as viewed from the left-hand side of the bicyclist, on handlebar grips  66 R,  66 L. Also during this maneuver, lower legs  78 R,  78 L rotate forwardly to a still more nearly straightened position relative to thighs  77 R,  77 L on knee joints  123 R,  123 L. In this case, however, straightening of right knee joint  123 R is limited by shin guard  142 , thus resulting in figurine  51  assuming a life-like position, in which the right knee joint does not become “locked up.” 
         [0069]    [0069]FIG. 11 illustrates the effects of tilting manipulating stem  145  of action figure  50  forwardly in a vertical midplane through the action figure. This action causes torso  72  of bicyclist  51  to tilt rearward on pelvic joint  115  to a position generally horizontal and more generally perpendicular to frame  53  of bicycle  52 . During this maneuver, right and left upper arms  77 R,  77 L of bicyclist  51  rotate downwardly towards torso  72  on inner shoulder rotator joints  100 R,  100 L, and right and left hands  75 R,  75 L rotate forwardly or upwardly with respect to handlebars  65 R,  65 L on handlebar grips  66 R,  66 L. Also during this maneuver, thighs  77 R,  77 L and lower legs  78 R,  78 L rotate rearwardly to a more nearly bent position relative to torso  72 , on pelvic ball joints  122 R,  122 L, and knee joints  123 R,  123 L.  
         [0070]    [0070]FIG. 12 is a view of an alternate embodiment  50 A of action figure  50 , in which a manipulating stem  145 A is attached to bicyclist  51 A so that it protrudes generally perpendicularly outwardly from the back of the bicyclist, midway between the shoulder blades.  
         [0071]    [0071]FIG. 13 is a fragmentary view of a second alternate embodiment  50 B of action figure  50 , which includes a modified manipulating stem  145 B having a straight spring wire  146 B, terminated at the upper end thereof by a straight cylindrical finger grip  149 B.  
         [0072]    [0072]FIG. 14 is a fragmentary view of a third alternate embodiment  50 C of action figure  50 , which includes a modified manipulated stem  145 C having a straight spring wire  146 C and a straight cylindrical finger grip  149 C, terminated at the upper end thereof by a knob  156 .  
         [0073]    [0073]FIG. 15 is a fragmentary view of a fourth alternate embodiment  50 D of action figure  50 , which includes a modified manipulating stem  145 D, terminated at the upper end thereof by a straight cylindrical finger grip  149 D. As shown in FIG. 15, modified manipulating stem  145 D protrudes from the back of bicyclist  51 D, but could alternatively be attached to the head of the bicyclist.

Technology Category: 1