Oscillating figure

Abstract

An oscillating body, and a method of manufacturing an oscillating body using a mold having a mold cavity with a curved surface. The method involves inserting a predetermined amount of a hardenable mixture in the mold cavity and allowing the hardenable mixture to harden to produce a body that is a negative of at least a portion of the mold cavity, including a curved surface that is a negative of the curved surface of the mold. A ballast is connected to the body portion such that the ballast remains stationary relative to the body portion. An oscillating body is made in part or in whole from the body portion with the ballast, wherein the oscillating body is adapted to roll on the curved surface in an oscillating manner after being subjected to a displacement.

Description

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 60 / 512,768, filed Oct. 21, 2003, which is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Oscillating toys and oscillating figures are well known in the art, and have been used both to amuse and to attract attention. For example, roly-poly devices have been provided to children (and adults) for amusement and visual stimulation, as well as to develop the sensory nervous system (such as, for example, sight and / or hearing). However, the prior art oscillating toys / figures are typically crudely made and their movements are not well understood. Indeed, a survey of the art suggests that the movements of the produced toys / figures is unpredictable and sometimes even irritating. There is a need to provide superior oscillating figures that will be more esthetically pleasing and desirable to the users. Still further there is a need to improve the various methods of manufacture of these oscillating...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] Another aspect of the invention concerns an oscillating body comprising a body including a curved surface adapted to enable the oscillating body to be in rolling contact with a support surface, the body having a center of mass located substantially directly below the center of curvature of the curved surface when the oscillating body is in an at rest position on the support surface and free to roll. The curved surface has a curve of contact extending at least about 10 degrees in at least one direction away from a point at which the curved surface contacts the support surface in the at rest position. The curvature of the curved surface, when evaluated along the curve of contact within about 10 degrees from the point at which the curved surface contacts the support surface at the at rest position, results in stable center of mass travel. The coefficient of oscillation of the body is greater than about 0.05 and less than about 1.

Problems solved by technology

However, the prior art oscillating toys / figures are typically crudely made and their movements are not well understood.

Indeed, a survey of the art suggests that the movements of the produced toys / figures is unpredictable and sometimes even irritating.

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