HK1054882B - A toy punching figure - Google Patents

Description

Toy boxing people

Field of the invention

The present invention relates generally to toy figures and, more particularly, to toy figures of the type known in the art as "action figures".

Background of the invention

Toy action figures have become a well-known class of products in the toy industry. The subjects were mostly young boys. Typical figures for such toy figures are men's chinese that replicate heroes and bad eggs and the like. Common themes for such toy action figures include warriors, soldiers, athletes, and the like. In addition, there have also been many toy action figures that utilize scientific fantasy themes, such as robots, space actors, humanoid robots, and super heros.

While such toy action figures may vary in their appearance, size, and other features, most toy action figures may be generalized to have a molded plastic body that is exaggerated in terms of body proportions and muscles. Most toy action figures are molded plastic bodies made from parts and components that are connected by corresponding articulated joints. The overall effect is to produce or achieve a posture or motion similar to that experienced by humans. Posability (i.e., the ability to hold a particular body position) is typically achieved by having one or more of the multiple articulating joints have a friction fit.

Many toy action figures also provide certain motion characteristics to further enhance the play and entertainment value of the toy figure. Such motion characteristics may include, for example, the ability to jump, punch, or kick. In many cases accessories such as various shields and weapons are also fitted for use with toy action figures.

Recent advances in miniaturized, low-cost digital electronic systems have made it possible for practitioners in the toy industry to further enhance toy figures with sound circuits built into the toy action figure. The role of such sound circuits is to achieve action enhancement through sound effects such as speech or other sounds (e.g., thunder, other loud noises or crashing sounds).

Despite the tremendous success of such toy action figures in the marketplace, there continues to be a need in the art for more improved, interesting and exciting toy action figures.

Summary of The Invention

It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide an improved toy action figure. It is a more specific object of the present invention to provide an improved toy action figure with enhanced boxing characteristics.

According to the present invention, there is provided a toy action figure comprising: a body of a toy figure having at least one arm, an upper torso and a lower torso, the upper torso being rotatable on the lower torso between first and second positions; a spring connecting the upper and lower torso, the spring urging the upper torso toward the first position; an audio circuit for producing audible sound; a flash unit and a flash element mounted in at least one arm for producing a flash of light; a hand movably supported on at least one arm; and a bump switch connected to the audio circuit and to a flash element mounted in at least one arm. The impact switch is actuated by movement of the hand to close the audio circuit and the flash unit, the upper torso is pivoted from a first position to a second position against the spring force of the spring and released to rapidly rotate the upper torso and move at least one arm in a punching motion to impact an object with the hand and actuate the impact switch.

Brief description of the drawings

The features of the invention 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, like elements are identified with like numerals, wherein:

figure 1 is a perspective view of a toy action figure made in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a side view, partially in section, of an enhanced feature of the toy action figure of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a partial sectional view of the torso rolling mechanism of the toy action figure of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a schematic block diagram of an electronic circuit for use in the toy action figure of the present invention.

Description of The Preferred Embodiment

Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of a toy figure made in accordance with the present invention and generally identified by the numeral 10. The toy figure 10 has a body 11 made of a plurality of molded plastic components. Thus, body 11 has an upper torso 12 and a lower torso 13, with upper torso 12 being pivotally secured to lower torso 13. The lower torso 13 in turn has two legs 30 and 31 to which two feet 32 and 33 are secured. Two arms 15 and 17, each having two hands 16 and 18, are pivotally secured to upper torso 12 by a pair of shoulder joints 20 and 21. The upper torso 12 is also fitted with a speaker grille 36 at the front thereof. Arm 17 includes a light-transmissive portion 19 generally surrounding the exterior thereof, an elbow 24 and a wrist 25. The arm 15 has an articulated elbow joint 22 and a wrist 23.

In operation (in a manner described in more detail below), the combination of upper torso 12, arms 15 and 17, and head 14 is pivotally secured to lower torso 13. This pivotable connection is shown in more detail in figures 2 and 3 below. It is noted here that upper torso 12 may pivot in the direction indicated by arrow 41 through a range of motion equal to approximately 90. As will also be more clearly seen in figure 3 below, the pivoting movement of upper torso 12 in the direction indicated by arrow 41 is in a direction opposing the return spring (spring 95 in figure 3). Thus, when upper torso 12 is rotated in the direction indicated by arrow 41, energy is stored within the spring. At this point, if the lower torso and/or legs 30 and 31 are grasped, the energy stored in the spring 95 (shown in figure 3) causes the upper torso 12 to rapidly pivot in the direction of arrow 42 to return to the lower torso alignment position shown in figure 1 once the upper torso 12 is released.

In accordance with the present invention, and as shown in greater detail in FIG. 2 below, arm 17 defines an internal cavity (cavity 70 shown in FIG. 2) in which are housed circuit components, including a flash element 50 (described in greater detail below); whenever the hand 18 strikes an appropriate object, the flash element 50 is turned on to produce a flash of light in the form of a pulse of light. Thus, by way of example, FIG. 1 shows arm 17 rotated in the direction indicated by arrow 42, causing hand 18 to strike a surface 40. This impact causes flash element 50 to be energized (as will be described in more detail below) to produce a flickering bright light, shown as ray 51 in FIG. 1.

Simultaneously with the flash unit 50 being powered and outputting a high-energy flash, an internal audio circuit (see audio circuit 80 in fig. 2) housed within the upper torso 12 is also powered and produces an appropriate audio output that is played directly out through the speaker grille 36. The variety of the audio output can be selected according to preference. However, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the sound output has been selected to simulate the slamming of a punch.

Thus, to manipulate toy figure 10, a player may initially hold lower torso 13 and/or legs 30 and 31 with one hand and position toy figure 10 adjacent an object or surface to be punched (e.g., surface 40), then rotate the combination of upper torso 12, arms 15 and 17, and head 14 in the direction of arrow 41, and then release upper torso 12 for rapid gyrating motion in the direction of arrow 42. This rapid pivoting movement causes arm 17 and hand 18 to move in a boxing motion against the targeted object or surface. Taking surface 40 as an example, the player continues to adjust the position of toy figure 10 as upper torso 12 rapidly gyrates in the direction of arrow 42. This adjustment is made until hand 18 strikes the target surface. As will be described in greater detail below, the impact of hand 18 against a target surface (e.g., surface 40) causes flash element 50 to turn on and cause the above-described "pop" sound to be emitted. The effect is to enhance the boxing characteristics of the toy figure 10, both engaging and teasing the figure.

Figure 2 illustrates a partial cross-sectional side view of toy figure 10. As described above, toy figure 10 has a body 11 having an upper torso 12 and a lower torso 13, with upper torso 12 pivotally supported on lower torso 13. As also previously described, toy figure 10 has an arm 17 pivotally supported on upper torso 12 at shoulder joint 21. The upper shoulder of arm 17 defines a slot 61 and a transversely extending bore 62. Shoulder flange 60 is manufactured in a conventional manufacturing process and is typically a disc-shaped member that fits within groove 61 in a sliding friction fit. The cylindrical stub shaft 63 is also conventionally manufactured and is supported in a small bore (not shown) formed in the shoulder flange 60. Short pivot 63 is mounted at both ends in openings 62 in arm 17. Again, the preferred fit of short pivot 63 in opening 62 is a tight friction fit to provide arm 17 with postural support. Arm 17 may thus pivot against upper torso 12, or outwardly therefrom in the direction indicated by arrow 66 about short pivot 63. In addition, shoulder flange 60 is rotatable at shoulder joint 21 in the directions indicated by arrows 64 and 65 by conventional supports (not shown) within upper torso 12.

An led 86 is housed within the interior cavity 70 defined by arm 17. Flash element 50 is also mounted within interior cavity 70 of arm 17. As described above, arm 17 has an outer portion (transparent portion 19 shown in fig. 1) made of a transparent material that transmits light. It should be noted that light-transmissive portion 19 is positioned such that light emitted by light-emitting diode 86 or flash element 50 is radiated outwardly from interior cavity 70.

Arm 17 also has an opening 71 at wrist 25. Wall 72 extends inwardly within arm 17 and defines an opening 73. Secured within the aperture 73 is a bump switch 85 having an actuating button 89. The hand 18 is preferably shaped as a fist according to the boxing characteristics described above. The hand 18 is supported by a connector rail 91 which extends through the opening 71 and terminates in the interior cavity 70 in a generally circular flange 92. The flange 92 supports the hand 18 and abuts against the actuating button 89 of the impact switch 85. It should be noted that the dimensions of the flange 92 and the connecting rod 91 are chosen so that a gap 93 is left between the hand 18 and the end of the wrist 25. The hand 18 is held in the extended position shown in fig. 2 by the resilient force of the bump switch 85 against the actuator button 89. Thus, the bump switch 85 may be considered normally off and only activated when the button 89 is depressed.

Arm 17 also has an aperture 74 near shoulder joint 21 through which a plurality of connecting wires 104 enter interior cavity 70. The connection lines 104 are the power supply connection lines for the light emitting diode 86, the flash unit 50, and the two wires 102 connected to the bump switch 85, respectively. The connection line 103 is connected to the flash unit 50, and further includes a lead line 102.

Toy figure 10 also has an electronic control circuit (shown in more detail below in figure 4) mounted within interior cavity 35 of upper torso 12. It is noted here that the control circuitry within toy figure 10 includes an audio circuit 80 and a flash unit 81. The audio circuit 80 and the flash unit 81 are connected to the lead wire 104 by means not shown in the drawing. Also housed within interior cavity 35 is a speaker 88 positioned against speaker grille 36 formed in the front of upper torso 12. The upper torso 12 also houses a battery pack 83 for powering the audio circuitry 80 and a battery pack 82 for powering the flash unit 81.

In operation, the light emitting diode 86 is powered via the flash unit 81 to give an indication that the system is operational. Subsequently, a stroke against hand 18 moves hand 18 in the direction indicated by arrow 90, thereby depressing button 89 and actuating stroke switch 85. The action of bump switch 85 causes flash unit 81 to turn on flash element 50, thereby creating a flash of light that propagates outward through translucent portion 19 of arm 17 (see fig. 1). Thus, a bright flash of light is produced each time the hand 18 strikes an object or surface to be punched. In addition, sound circuit 80 is also turned on by impact switch 85 to produce an audible sound, such as a crash or punch, applied to speaker 88. As a result, flash element 50 emits a high intensity flash whenever hand 18 punches against an appropriate object or surface, accompanied by the output of an appropriate sound (e.g., a "pop" or "click").

Figure 3 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of toy figure 10 taken along section line 3-3 of figure 1. As described above, a spring-driven swivel mechanism operating between upper torso 12 and lower torso 13 would be apparent to one skilled in the art and may well be manufactured in a conventional manufacturing process. Accordingly, it is believed that toy figures having a revolving upper torso and spring-driven return for use with the present invention are known in the art. Accordingly, it is believed that the provision of the apparatus for maintaining such rotational and rapidly regaining torso movement shown in FIG. 3 is merely exemplary of a wide variety of equivalent structures that may be utilized without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The basic features of the slewing gear shown in fig. 3, or of selected alternative equivalent mechanisms, are mainly characterized in that: the upper torso can move rapidly on the lower torso imparting a swinging or punching motion to arms 17 (see fig. 1).

Thus, upper torso 12 is pivotally supported on lower torso 13 by pivot struts 55. Upper torso 12 has a flange 56 and splines 57 that rotate therewith. The lower torso 13 also has a spring positioning socket 110 and a stop 98. The return spring 95 is wound around the pivot post 55 and has one end 96 secured to the flange 56 of the upper body 12 and the other end 97 secured to the spring positioning socket 110 of the lower body 13. In addition, splines 57 of upper torso 12 have an outwardly extending stop portion 58. Stop portion 58 of upper torso 12 and stop 98 of lower torso 13 cooperate to limit pivotal movement of upper torso 12 in response to the force of spring 95 to maintain the aligned position shown in figure 2.

In operation, the force of spring 95 urges upper torso 12 to pivot in the direction indicated by arrow 101. This spring force also urges stop portion 58 against stop 98, thereby preventing further pivotal movement and aligning upper torso 12 with lower torso 13. Thereafter, upper torso 12 is rotated in the direction of arrow 100, against the force of spring 95, to the position shown in phantom in FIG. 3 to produce a punching motion. The range of rotation of upper torso 12 is approximately 90. Turning to this position, energy has been stored in the spring 95. Upon release of upper torso 12, the energy stored in spring 95 causes upper torso 12 to pivot rapidly in the direction indicated by arrow 101 until stop portion 58 again strikes stop 98. The rotation of upper torso 12 is stopped.

Figure 4 shows a block diagram of the operational circuitry housed within toy figure 10. As described above, toy figure 10 has an audio circuit 80 and a flash unit 81. As also explained above, the battery pack 83 is operatively connected to the audio circuit 80, while a separate battery pack 82 is operatively connected to the flash unit 81. A light emitting diode is connected to the flash unit 81 and the flash unit battery pack 82. The flash element 50 (which may be one, for example) is operatively connected to the flash unit 81. The impact switch 85 is connected to the sound circuit 80 and the flash unit 81. The audio circuit 80 is connected to an audio amplifier 87 to drive a conventional speaker 88. The speaker 88 is representative of a wide variety of transducers suitable for converting electrical signals into audible sound, such as piezoelectric transducers, if desired. Memory 84 stores various combinations of digitally encoded audio information (e.g., pop or the like) operable to turn on sound circuit 80.

The audio circuit 80 may be manufactured in a conventional manufacturing process and utilizes the memory 84 and the audio data stored therein to provide an audio signal output. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that virtually any language or sound circuit may be used in place of sound circuit 80 and memory 84. The main feature of sound circuit 80 is to provide an appropriate signal to amplifier 87 which amplifies the signal and applies it to speaker 88 to turn predetermined information or sound (e.g., the "pop" sound emitted each time the bump switch is triggered to turn on) into audible sound. For example, a combination of a microprocessor, read only memory, voice synthesizer, and audio output amplifier may be adapted to function as the sound circuit 80; memory 84 and amplifier 87 have been made as a single integrated circuit chip set by texas instruments having a model name TMS50C 44. It should be understood, however, that a variety of standard sets of integrated circuits may be used to form audio circuit 80, memory 84, and amplifier 87.

The flash unit 81 may be manufactured in a conventional manner, and the flash unit 81 provides a trigger voltage pulse from the battery pack 82 to be applied to the flash unit 50 whenever a signal is received from the impact switch 85.

In operation, the circuit shown in figure 4 is silent and silent until toy figure 10 makes a boxing action in the manner described above. Once the punch switch 85 is actuated by a punching motion, a signal is applied to the sound circuit 80 and the flash unit 81. In response to the applied signal from the impact switch 85, the sound circuit 80 accesses the memory 84 to retrieve the audio information already present therein, and the sound circuit 80 then converts the audio information into an appropriate analog audio signal for application to the amplifier 87. Amplifier 87 boosts the power of the applied audio signal to a level sufficient to drive speaker 88, thereby emitting audible sound. As an example, the present embodiment applies "pop" type sound information.

At the same time, the triggering of the bump switch 85 turns on and the signal it applies to the flash unit 81 causes the flash unit 81 to transmit a voltage pulse from the battery pack 82 to the flash unit 50. In response to the applied voltage, flash element 50 produces a brief, high intensity flash of light, as indicated by arrow 51. After the sound circuit 80 and flash unit 81 are active, the system remains in a quiescent silent state until the impact switch is once again triggered on. It should be noted that the separate battery power supplies 83 and 82 for the audio circuit 80 and the flash unit 81 may be combined to form a single battery power supply unit without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. If separate battery power supplies are used, different operating voltages can be used for the audio circuit 80 and the flash unit 81. However, this should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention.

What has been described above is a novel action toy figure having a punching action that is enhanced by a high intensity flash of light and a "pop" sound of a punch. The bright flash and bang sound have been shown to play a role that greatly enhances the amusing and entertainment value of the character's punch character.

While particular embodiments of the present 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. It is therefore intended that the following claims be interpreted as including all such alterations and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (10)

1. A toy figure, comprising:

a body of a toy figure, the body having at least one arm, an upper torso, and a lower torso; said upper torso is pivotable on said lower torso between first and second positions;

a spring connecting said upper torso and said lower torso urging said upper torso toward said first position; in that

An audio circuit for producing audible sound;

a flash unit and a flash element mounted in at least one arm for generating a flash of light;

a movable hand mounted on at least one arm;

a bump switch connected to said audio circuit and said flash unit, said bump switch being mounted in said at least one arm and being actuated by movement of said hand to close said audio circuit and flash unit;

the upper torso is rotatable against the spring force of the spring from the first position to the second position and upon release, rapidly pivots the upper torso and carries the at least one arm in a punching motion position, causing the hand to strike an object and actuating the strike switch.

2. The toy figure of claim 1, wherein the at least one arm defines an interior cavity for receiving the flash element, and wherein the at least one arm has a light-transmissive portion surrounding the flash element.

3. The toy figure of claim 2, wherein the at least one arm further includes a light emitting diode coupled to the flash unit and operable to indicate the flash unit is in the on state.

4. The toy figure of claim 3, wherein the at least one arm has a bump switch secured in one wrist aperture, the bump switch having a switch button, and wherein the hand has a connecting rod passing through the other wrist aperture, the connecting rod having end flanges, the hand bringing the connecting rod and the end flanges into abutment against the switch button upon a bump of the hand.

5. The toy figure of claim 4, wherein said at least one arm is pivotally secured to said upper torso.

6. The toy figure of claim 5, wherein the hand is shaped as a fist.

7. A toy figure, comprising:

a toy human body having a lower torso and a pair of support legs, an upper torso having first and second arms pivotally connected thereto, a pivotal connection joint connecting said upper torso to said lower torso in a pivotal connection and configured to allow the upper torso to pivot between first and second positions;

a spring connecting said upper torso and said lower torso to urge said upper torso toward said first position;

a hand mounted on said first arm;

a bump switch mounted in said first arm, said bump switch being turned on by the impact of said hand;

a flash unit installed in the upper trunk, connected to the impact switch, and turned on by the impact switch;

a flash unit mounted in said first arm for producing a flash of light when said flash unit is energized;

an audio circuit mounted within the upper torso and connected to the impact switch and responsive to actuation of the impact switch to produce an audible sound.

8. A toy figure, comprising:

a body of a toy figure having at least one arm;

a hand mounted on said at least one arm;

a bump switch turned on in response to the bump of the hand;

a flash element supported by the toy figure and operative when energized to produce a flash of light;

a flash unit supported by the body of the toy figure and connected to the bump switch and the flash element, the flash unit being powered by the bump switch when the bump switch is activated.

9. The toy figure of claim 8, further including an audio device coupled to the bump switch, the audio device producing a sound upon activation of the bump switch.

10. The toy figure of claim 9, wherein the at least one arm includes an interior cavity having a light-transmissive portion, and wherein the flash element is mounted within the interior cavity of the at least one arm.