US20030134565A1

US20030134565A1 - Motion toy

Info

Publication number: US20030134565A1
Application number: US10/045,001
Authority: US
Inventors: Jing-Long Chou; Cheng-Tang Chang
Original assignee: Chain Fong Toys Co Ltd
Current assignee: Chain Fong Toys Co Ltd
Priority date: 2002-01-15
Filing date: 2002-01-15
Publication date: 2003-07-17

Abstract

A motion toy is constructed to include a body, a head, a tail, and a power drive unit mounted in the body and coupled between the head and the tail, the head having a beak, the power drive unit including a motor, a transmission gear train coupled to the motor, a reciprocating rod driven by the transmission gear train to close/open the beak of the head, a first coupling driven by the transmission gear to turn the shell of the head alternatively leftwards and rightwards, and a second coupling coupled to the first coupling and driven to turn the tail alternatively up and down.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to toys and, more particularly, to a motion toy, which turns the head alternatively leftwards and rightwards, moves the beak between the open position and the close position, and turns the tail alternatively up and down when operated.

2. Description of the Related Art

A variety of motor-operated motion toys have been disclosed, and have appeared on the market. These motion toys simulate the motion of a human being or animal to attract children's eyes. Due to high manufacturing cost, toy manufacturers would not like to develop complicated motion toys with fine action.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is one object of the present invention to provide a motion toy, which turns the head alternatively leftwards and rightwards and the tail alternatively up and down when operated. It is another object of the present invention to provide a motion toy, which drives the beak to open and close alternatively when operated to turn the head and the tail. It is still another object of the present invention to provide a motion toy, which produces a sound effect. According to one aspect of the present invention, the motion toy comprises a body, a head, a tail, and a power drive unit mounted in the body and coupled between the head and the tail. The head comprises a shell, a beak mounted in the shell of the head, the beak comprising an upper mandible fixedly fastened to the shell of the head, a lower mandible pivoted to the shell of the head below the upper mandible and supported in a close position closed on the upper mandible, the lower mandible having a rear extension, a press plate pivoted to the shell of the head and stopped at the rear extension of the lower mandible and adapted for turning the lower mandible relative to the upper mandible, and a swivel plate coupled to the shell of the head and adapted for turning the shell of the head alternatively leftward and rightward. The power drive unit comprises a casing, a motor mounted in the casing, a transmission gear train mounted in the casing and coupled to the motor, a reciprocating rod coupled to the transmission gear train and driven by the transmission gear train to move the press plate of the head, a first coupling coupled to the transmission gear train, and a second coupling coupled to the first coupling and driven by the first coupling to turn the tail alternatively up and down upon motion of the motor. According to another aspect of the present invention, a recording device is mounted in the body of the motion toy for recording sound.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a motion toy constructed according to the present invention. [0006]
FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the motion toy according to the present invention. [0007]
FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the power drive unit for the motion toy according to the present invention. [0008]
FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the head for the motion toy according to the present invention. [0009]
FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the tail for the motion toy according to the present invention. [0010]
FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a wing for the motion toy according to the present invention. [0011]
FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the recording device for the motion toy according to the present invention. [0012]
FIG. 8 is an assembly view of the head and the tail according to the present invention. [0013]
FIG. 8A is a schematic drawing showing the position of the head relative to the power drive unit before action. [0014]
FIG. 8B is a side view showing the head and the tail respectively coupled to the power drive unit before action. [0015]
FIG. 9 is similar to FIG. 8A but showing the head turned rightwards. [0016]
FIG. 9A is similar to FIG. 8B but showing the tail turned upwards. [0017]
FIG. 10 is a schematic drawing showing the beak closed according to the present invention. [0018]
FIG. 10A is a schematic drawing showing the beak opened according to the present invention. [0019]
FIG. 11 is similar to FIG. 8A but showing the head turned leftwards. [0020]
FIG. 11A is similar to FIG. 8B but showing the tail turned downwards. [0021]
FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the wing closed on the front body shell according to the present invention. [0022]
FIG. 12A is a perspective view showing the wing opened from the front body shell according to the present invention.[0023]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. from [0024] 1 through 7, a motion toy in accordance with the present invention is generally comprised of a body 1, a power drive unit 2, a head 3, a tail 4, two wings 5, and a recording device 6.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 again, the [0025] body 1 comprises a front body shell 11, a back body shell 12, and a bottom shell 13. The front body shell 11 and the back body shell 12 are fastened together and then fixedly mounted on the bottom shell 13. The front body shell 11 comprises a plurality of posts 111 for the mounting of the power drive unit 2, the head 3, the tail 4, the winds 5, and the recording device 6.
Referring to FIG. 3 again, the [0026] power drive unit 2 comprises a casing 21, and a transmission mechanism 22 mounted in the casing 21. The casing 21 has a sliding way 211. The transmission mechanism 22 comprises a motor 221 having an output shaft 2211, a transmission gear train including a first gear (the pinion) 222, a second gear 223, a third gear 224, and a fourth gear (the output gear) 225, the third gear 224 having an eccentric rod 2241, a wheel 226 disposed outside the casing 21 and connected to the fourth gear 225 by a rod member 7 for synchronous rotation, the wheel 226 having an eccentric rod 2261, a reciprocating rod 227 slidably mounted in the sliding way 211 of the casing 21 and stopped at the eccentric rod 2241 of the third gear 224, the reciprocating rod 227 having one end terminating in a hand 2271 and extended to the outside of the casing 21, two locating blocks 23 fixedly provided at two sides of the casing 21, a first coupling device 24, and a second coupling device 25. The first coupling 24 comprises a longitudinal center sliding slot 241 coupled to the eccentric rod 2261 of the wheel 226, two transverse sliding slots 242 disposed at two sides of the longitudinal center sliding slot 241 and respectively coupled to the locating blocks 23 by a respective fastening element 8, a rear rod 243, and a front bottom rod 244. The second coupling 25 is pivoted to the casing 21, having a coupling notch 251 coupled to the rear rod 243 of the first coupling device 24 and a coupling rod 252.
Referring to FIG. 4 again, the [0027] head 3 comprises a shell 31, the shell 31 having a plurality of posts 311, a plurality of holes 312, an inside annular groove 313 around the bottom opening thereof, and a through hole 314 near the bottom side, a press-button switch 32 mounted in one hole 312 at the top side of the shell 31, a beak 33 mounted in the other holes 312 at the front side of the shell 31, the beak 33 including an upper mandible 331 and a lower mandible 332, the lower mandible 332 comprising a transverse pivot hole 3321 pivotally connected to one post 311 of the shell 31 by a rod member 7, a rear extension 3322 suspended inside the shell 31, and a hook 3323 disposed on the middle adjacent to the pivot hole 3321, a return spring 9 connected between one post 311 of the shell 31 and the hook 3323, a press plate 34 pivotally connected to one post 311 of the shell 31 by a rod member 7, the press plate 34 having a press portion 341 pressed on the top side of the rear extension 3322 of the lower mandible 332 for enabling the press plate 34 to be driven to turn the lower mandible 332 about the axis passing through the pivot hole 3321 and immediately returned to its former position by the return spring 9 after disappearance of the driving force, a circular bottom cover plate 35, the circular bottom cover plate 35 comprising a coupling flange 351 coupled to the inside annular groove 313 of the shell 31 and two openings 352, a limiter block 36 fixedly vertically fastened to the top side of the circular bottom cover plate 35 by screws 8, the limiter block 36 having a through hole 362 disposed on the middle and a smoothly arched sliding slot 361 spaced above the through hole 362, and a swivel member 37 downwardly inserted through one opening 352 of the circular bottom cover plate 35 and coupled to the limiter block 36. The swivel member 37 comprises a spring holder 371 disposed on the middle, a through hole 373 extended through the spring holder 371 and pivotally coupled to the through hole 362 of the limiter block 36 and connected to the through hole 314 of the shell 31 by a rod member 7, and a horizontal guide rod 372 disposed near the top side and inserted through the sliding slot 361 of the limiter block 36, and a bottom coupling notch 374. Further, a return spring 9 is mounted on the spring holder 373 and connected between the swivel member 37 and the limiter block 36.
Referring to FIG. 5 again, the [0028] tail 4 comprises a base plate 41, the base plate 41 having two parallel coupling blocks 411, an N-shaped link 42 pivoted to the base plate 41, the N-shaped link 42 comprising a center coupling rod 421 pivotally coupled to the coupling blocks 411 of the base plate 41, an end coupling rod 422 extended from one end thereof, and a trapezoidal end coupling notch 423 disposed in the other end thereof, a coupling plate 43 coupled to the N-shaped link 42, the coupling plate 43 comprising an elongated coupling slot 431 disposed in one end thereof and coupled to the end coupling rod 422 and a coupling rod 432, and an end piece 44, the end piece 44 having a coupling portion 441 pivotally coupled to the coupling rod 432 of the coupling plate 43. Further, a return spring 9 is mounted on the coupling rod 432 and connected between the coupling plate 43 and the end piece 44.
Referring to FIG. 6 again, each [0029] wing 5 comprises a pivot 51 transversely disposed at one end, and a plurality of posts 52 disposed at the back side thereof to which a stop block 53 and a locating plate 54 are fastened by screws 8 to hold a linkage 55.
Referring to FIG. 7 again, the [0030] recording device 6 is mounted in the front body shell 11 of the body 1 and covered with a hinged cover 61. When opened the hinged cover 61, the user can use the audio recording circuit assembly (not shown) of the recording device 6 to record sound.
Referring to FIGS. from [0031] 1 through 7 again, the bottom coupling notch 374 of the swivel member 37 of the head 3 is coupled to the front bottom rod 244 of the first coupling 24 of the power drive unit 2, keeping the reciprocating rod 227 stopped below the press plate 34 of the head 3, and then the trapezoidal end coupling notch 423 of the N-shaped link 42 of the tail 4 is coupled to the coupling rod 252 of the second coupling 25 of the power drive unit 2, keeping the pivots 51 and linkages 55 of the tails 5 respectively pivoted to the posts 111 of the front body shell 11 of the body 1, and then the back body shell 12 is fastened to the front body shell 11.
Referring to FIGS. 8, 8A, and [0032] 8B and FIGS. from 3 through 5 again, when the motor 221 started, the gears 222, 223, 224, and 225 are rotated. At this time, the eccentric rod 2261 of the wheel 226 forces the first coupling 24 leftwards, and the same time the rear rod 243 forces the second coupling 25 leftwards, causing the coupling rod 252 of the second coupling 25 to turn the N-shaped link 42 of the tail 4 about the axis passing through the center coupling rod 421 in upward direction, and therefore the coupling plate 43 is forced to move the end piece 44 upwards. During leftward movement of the first coupling 24 of the motor drive unit 2, the front bottom rod 244 is moved with the first coupling 24 to turn the swivel member 37 leftwards, thereby causing the head 3 to be turned rightwards (See FIGS. 9 and 9A). Further, during rotary motion of the third gear 224, the eccentric rod 2241 is moved to reciprocate the reciprocating rod 227 up and down. When the reciprocating rod 227 moved upwards, the hand 2271 is forced to move the press plate 34 against the rear extension 3322 of the lower mandible 332, causing the lower mandible 332 to be turned about the axis passing through the pivot hole 3321. When the reciprocating rod 227 moved downwards and disengaged from the press plate 34, the corresponding return spring 9 immediately pulls the lower mandible 332 back to its former position (See FIGS. 10 and 10A). Further, when the motor 221 continuously rotated, the eccentric rod 2261 of the wheel 226 forces the first coupling 24 to move rightwards, thereby causing the second coupling 25 to be turned rightwards. When the second coupling 25 turned rightwards, the N-shaped link 42 is turned downwards, causing the coupling plate 43 to turn the end piece 44 downwards, and at the same time the head 3 is turned leftwards (See FIGS. 11 and 11A). By means of the aforesaid action, the head 3 is alternatively turned left and right, the beak 33 is alternatively opened and close, and the tail 4 is alternatively turned up and down.
Referring to FIGS. 12 and 12A, the [0033] wings 5 can be turned outwards by hand to force the stop blocks 53 into engagement with the inside wall of the body 1, causing the wings 5 to be stopped in the extended position, at this time the stop block 53 triggers the internal music IC (not shown) to produce sound.
A prototype of motion toy has been constructed with the features of the annexed drawings of FIGS. [0034] 1˜12. The motion toy functions smoothly to provide all of the features discussed earlier.
Although a particular embodiment of the invention has been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims. [0035]

Claims

What the invention claimed is:

1. A motion toy comprising a body, a head, a tail, and a power drive unit mounted in said body and coupled between said head and said tail, wherein said head comprises a shell, a beak mounted in the shell of said head, said beak comprising an upper mandible fixedly fastened to the shell of said head, a lower mandible pivoted to the shell of said head below said upper mandible and supported in a close position closed on said upper mandible, said lower mandible having a rear extension, a press plate pivoted to the shell of said head and stopped at the rear extension of said lower mandible and adapted for turning said lower mandible relative to said upper mandible, and a swivel plate coupled to the shell of said head and adapted for turning the shell of said head alternatively leftward and rightward; said power drive unit comprises a casing, a motor mounted in said casing, a transmission gear train mounted in said casing and coupled to said motor, a reciprocating rod coupled to said transmission gear train and driven by said transmission gear train to move said press plate of said head, a first coupling coupled to said transmission gear train, and a second coupling coupled to said first coupling and driven by said first coupling to turn said tail alternatively up and down upon motion of said motor.

2. The motion toy as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first coupling comprises a longitudinal center sliding slot coupled to said transmission gear train and alternatively moved back and forth by said transmission gear train upon motion of said motor, two transverse sliding slots disposed at two sides of said longitudinal center sliding slot and respective coupled to a respective locating block of said casing, a rear rod coupled to a coupling notch of said second coupling for driving said second coupling to turn said tail up and down, and a front bottom rod coupled to a bottom coupling notch of said swivel member of said head for turning said swivel member and the shell of said head upon motion of said motor.

3. The motion toy as claimed in claim 2, wherein said transmission gear train comprises a first gear fixedly fastened to an output shaft of said motor, a second gear, a third gear coupled to said first gear through said second gear, said third gear having an eccentric rod adapted to reciprocate said reciprocating rod, a fourth gear meshed with said third gear, and a wheel connected to said fourth gear for synchronous rotation with said fourth gear, said wheel comprising an eccentric rod coupled to the longitudinal center sliding slot of said first coupling,

4. The motion toy as claimed in claim 3, wherein said head further comprises a circular bottom cover plate coupled to an inside annular groove of the shell of said head, a limiter block fixedly mounted on said circular bottom cover plate in vertical, said limiter block comprising a smoothly arched sliding slot; said swivel member is inserted through an opening of said circular bottom cover plate, having one end coupled to the front bottom rod of said first coupling and an opposite end provided with a fixed guide rod coupled to the smoothly arched sliding slot of said limiter block.

5. The motion toy as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lower mandible comprises a hook connected to a post inside the shell of said head by spring means, which holds said lower mandible in an upper limit position closed on said upper mandible.

6. The motion toy as claimed in claim 2, wherein said tail comprises a base plate, said base plate having two parallel coupling blocks, an N-shaped link pivoted to said base plate, said N-shaped link comprising a center coupling rod pivotally coupled to the coupling blocks of said base plate, a front end coupled to the second coupling of said power drive unit, and an end coupling rod extended from a rear end thereof, a coupling plate coupled to said N-shaped link, said coupling plate comprising an elongated coupling slot disposed in one end thereof and coupled to the end coupling rod of said N-shaped link and coupling rod disposed at an opposite end thereof, and an end piece, said end piece having a coupling portion pivotally coupled to the coupling rod of the coupling plate of said tail, and a return spring mounted on the coupling rod of the coupling plate of said tail and connected between the coupling plate and end piece of said tail.

7. The motion toy as claimed in claim 1, wherein the front end of said N-shaped link comprises a trapezoidal end coupling notch coupled to a coupling rod of said second coupling of said power drive unit.

8. The motion toy as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a recording device mounted in said body for recording sound, said recording device having a hinged cover.

9. The motion toy as claimed in claim 1 further comprising two wings respectively pivoted to said body at two sides.