Simulated Walking Toy

Abstract

A toy simulating a walking or crawling creature comprising, a drive wheel assembly with at least a drive wheel, and a plurality of shafts that are eccentrically configured with respect to the main rotational axis of the drive wheel. A plurality of limbs are loosely coupled to said drive wheel through the plurality of shafts. The joint end of a limb is loosely coupled to a shaft so the limb can freely pivot around the shaft. A pair of left and right limbs coupled to a shaft further comprise at least a rotation stop that reciprocally restrain the rotational movement of the paired limbs. The terminal tip ends of limbs extend outward and downward to make contact with a surface continuously or temporarily through a rotation cycle of the drive wheel assembly. The limbs slide linearly and reciprocally on a surface as the drive wheel assembly is rotated.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 852,060, filed Mar. 15, 2013, entitled Rolling Cam Walking Animal or Creature, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention relates generally to walking toys and particularly to an apparatus for simulating the crawling or walking movements of multi-limbed creatures.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Crawling or walking toys are generally known and well established in the art. Toys designed to imitate the movement of multi-limbed creatures, especially those with four or more limbs, however, have struggled to provide a realistic and natural simulation of their walk cycles. While there are many examples of two-legged toys that achieve their desired effects with comparatively simple mechanisms, an operative mechanism that imparts realistic and natural limb action in toys with four or more limbs, such as...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a multi-limbed walking toy that has no need for separate power to propel each limb. The limbs are joined at multiple shafts that are offset at different angles and eccentric to the main rotational axis, which simulates contraction and extension of the limbs as they cycle through a movement sequence that presents a realistic and natural crawling or walking motion of a multi-limbed creature. The toy has been designed to move smoothly on different surfaces, including glass, tile, carpets, sandy beaches, and gravel pavements. The technical effect of the invention is to provide a unique and flexible toy that can move in a natural and realistic manner, while still being able to adapt to different surfaces.

Problems solved by technology

Toys designed to imitate the movement of multi-limbed creatures, especially those with four or more limbs, however, have struggled to provide a realistic and natural simulation of their walk cycles.

While there are many examples of two-legged toys that achieve their desired effects with comparatively simple mechanisms, an operative mechanism that imparts realistic and natural limb action in toys with four or more limbs, such as crustaceans, insects, and arthropods, is lacking.

Existing mechanisms apply overly complicated designs, or require separate driving force to actuate each individual limb.

This is due in part to the increased complexity of motion involved in creatures with four or more limbs, where the relative actions of the additional limbs are staggered.

Images