Model toy and movable structure

Abstract

The invention relates to a model toy and a movable structure. For example, a novel structure of a movable mechanism in a model toy is provided. The model toy is provided with a base part accessory which is provided with a first connecting part, a second connecting part and a rotating shaft; a first portion coupled to the base fitting via a first coupling portion so as to be rotatable in a first direction; and a second portion coupled to the base fitting via a second coupling portion, the second portion being rotatable about the rotation axis of the base fitting in a second direction different from the first direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to model toys and movable structures. Background Art

[0002] In order to achieve movements and postures close to those of humans and animals, humanoid toys (model toys) include various joints and movable parts. Using these mechanisms, various postures can be achieved. However, when setting the same number of joints as those of humans, etc. in a humanoid toy, a large number of components are required, and even in a delicate humanoid toy, this number is limited and difficult to achieve. Therefore, in order to achieve the above-mentioned movements and postures, it is important to be composed of fewer joints and components and to expand the movable areas of the joints and the parts connected thereto. By expanding the movable areas, movements with higher degrees of freedom and rich and colorful postures can be performed. In Patent Document 1, a four-legged animal doll with a joint structure capable of performing movements as realistic as those of real animals is proposed.

[0003] Prior Art Documents

[0004] Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2010 - 17264 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] In order to achieve natural movements like those of human limbs, it is desired to be able to rotate in various directions. On the other hand, in model toys, elbows, knees, etc. generally rotate only in a specified direction. In such model toys, it is difficult to achieve bending and twisting movements using human limbs.

[0008] The present invention provides, for example, a novel structure of a movable mechanism in a model toy.

[0009] Solutions to the Problems

[0010] The present invention is a model toy, characterized in that the model toy includes: a base fitting having a first connecting portion, a second connecting portion, and a rotation axis; a first part connected to the base fitting via the first connecting portion so as to be rotatable in a first direction; and a second part connected to the base fitting via the second connecting portion, the second part being rotatable about the rotation axis of the base fitting in a second direction different from the first direction.

[0011] In addition, for example, the present invention is a movable structure of a model toy, characterized in that the movable structure includes: a base fitting having a first connecting portion, a second connecting portion, and a rotating shaft; a first part connected to the base fitting via the first connecting portion so as to be rotatable in a first direction; and a second part connected to the base fitting via the second connecting portion, the second part being rotatable about the rotating shaft of the base fitting in a second direction different from the first direction.

[0012] Effects of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, for example, a novel structure of a movable mechanism in a model toy can be provided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 FIGS. (a) front view and (b) side view of the left leg of a model toy showing one embodiment.

[0015] Figure 2 FIGS. (a) exploded side view and (b) exploded perspective view of a part of the left leg of a model toy showing one embodiment.

[0016] Figure 3 Exploded perspective view of the joint portion of the left leg of a model toy showing one embodiment.

[0017] Figure 4 FIG. showing the rotational movement of the joint portion of the left leg of a model toy showing one embodiment.

[0018] Figure 5 FIG. showing the movement of the left leg of a model toy showing one embodiment.

[0019] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

[0020] 100, left leg; 101, thigh; 102, knee joint; 103, calf; 104, foot. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0021] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, the following embodiments are not intended to limit the invention protected by the claims, and furthermore, not all combinations of the features described in the embodiments are essential for the invention. Any two or more of the multiple features described in the embodiments can be arbitrarily combined. In addition, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same or similar structures, and repeated descriptions are omitted.

[0022] <Appearance of the Left Leg of the Model Toy>

[0023] First, with reference to Figure 1, the left leg of the model toy assembled in this embodiment will be described. Figure 1 (a) of shows the front view of the appearance of the left leg 100 of the model toy, Figure 1 (b) of shows the side view of the appearance of the left leg 100 of the model toy. In addition, the arrows of x, y, and z respectively indicate the orientations of the upper, left, and front directions of the model toy, and the same applies to other drawings.

[0024] The left leg 100 includes a thigh portion 101, a knee joint portion 102, a calf portion 103, and a foot portion 104. In this embodiment, as an example of the model toy, a humanoid robot is taken as an example for description, but it is not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention can be applied to various models such as humans, animals, robots, insects, dinosaurs, weapons, and ornaments. Regarding the right leg, although not shown, it is formed symmetrically with the left leg and has the same structure, so the description is omitted.

[0025] In addition, in this embodiment, an example of applying the present invention to the legs of the model toy is described, but the same structure can also be applied to the arms, necks, waists, etc. of the model toy. In particular, in the arm, the upper arm portion, elbow joint portion, forearm portion, and hand portion of the arm can each be set to have a structure corresponding to the thigh portion, knee joint portion, calf portion, and foot portion of the leg.

[0026] The thigh portion 101 is connected to the knee joint portion 102 in a rotatable manner. In the knee joint portion 102, the calf portion 103 is also connected in a rotatable manner. In addition, the foot portion 104 is connected to the lower part of the calf portion 103 by a spherical connection portion. The knee joint portion 102 of this embodiment connects the thigh portion 101 as the first part and the calf portion 103 as the second part in a rotatable manner in the vertical direction of the model toy as the first direction. Moreover, the knee joint portion 102 connects the thigh portion 101 and the calf portion 103 in a rotatable manner in the horizontal direction of the model toy as the second direction different from the first direction. The details of these rotation mechanisms will be described later.

[0027] <Structure around the knee joint>

[0028] Next, with reference to Figure 2 , the structure around the knee joint of the left leg 100 of this embodiment will be described. Figure 2 (a) of shows a side view of the left leg 100 disassembled into three parts. Figure 2 (b) of shows the disassembled structure of a part of the left leg 100. Here, the structure of the left leg 100 will be described, but for the structure of the right leg not shown, since it has the same structure as the left leg, the description is omitted.

[0029] Reference numeral 200 indicates the periphery of the knee joint of the left leg portion 100. As Figure 2 shown in FIG. (b) of Figure 2 , the periphery 200 of the knee joint is configured to include fittings 201 to 211. The fitting 201 is a base fitting of the knee joint, and fittings 202a and 202b, which form a part of the thigh portion, are connected so as to sandwich the fitting 201 from both side surfaces. Further, fittings 203a and 203b, which form a part of the calf portion, are connected so as to sandwich the fitting 201 from both side surfaces.

[0030] At the upper portions of the fittings 202a and 202b, a fitting 211, which forms a part of the thigh portion 101, is rotatably connected. The fitting 211 is also connected to other fittings of the thigh portion 101. Further, a fitting 210 is rotatably connected to the lower portions of the fittings 203a and 203b to form an ankle. A foot portion 104 is rotatably connected to the fitting 210. The fittings 206 to 209 are outer fittings of the leg portion, respectively.

[0031] <Structure of Each Fitting>

[0032] Next, with reference to Figure 3 , each fitting constituting the rotation mechanism in the knee joint of the left leg portion 100 in the present embodiment will be described. Figure 3 FIG. shows an exploded perspective view of each fitting.

[0033] The fitting 201 as the base fitting is configured to include a rod-shaped rotation shaft 311, an annular connection portion 312, and a protrusion portion 313 formed on the outer periphery of the rotation shaft 311. The protrusion portion 313 is fitted into a concave portion 331a formed in the fitting 203a. The concave portion 331a is formed with a size larger than that of the protrusion portion 313, and the rotation of the fitting 201 is not restricted.

[0034] In addition, a concave portion (not shown) is similarly formed in the fitting 203b. When the fitting 201 is sandwiched by the fittings 203a and 203b, the protrusion portion 313 of the fitting 201 is rotatably fitted into the concave portions of the fittings 203a and 203b. The fitting 201 rotates about the rotation shaft 311 in the horizontal direction (second direction) of the model toy.

[0035] A cylindrical connection portion 321a of the fitting 202a is inserted into the connection portion 312 of the fitting 201. Further, the inserted connection portion 321a penetrates through the annular connection portion 312 and is connected to the fitting 202b on the opposite side. In this way, the fittings 202a and 202b are rotatably connected so as to sandwich the fitting 201.

[0036] In the fitting 202a, a cylindrical connecting portion 322a is formed in the same manner as the connecting portion 321a. The connecting portion 322a is inserted through and penetrates the annular connecting portion 341 provided in the fitting 211, and is connected to the fitting 202b on the opposite side. That is, in addition to clamping the fitting 201, the fittings 202a and 202b are also rotatably connected in the same manner so as to clamp the fitting 211.

[0037] The rotation mechanism with the connecting portions 321a and 322a as the rotation axes can rotate the fittings 201 and 211 connected to the connecting portions 321a and 322a in the vertical direction (the first direction) of the model toy. That is, these rotation mechanisms use a two-stage rotation action to realize the rotation action of the leg at the normal knee joint, and can expand the movable area.

[0038] In addition, as the fitting 201 rotates about the rotation axis 311, the fittings 202a, 202b, and 211 connected to the connecting portion 312 also rotate. Therefore, the knee joint of the present embodiment can realize the rotation action in two rotation directions, namely, the first direction (vertical direction) and the second direction (horizontal direction) different from the first direction of the model toy. The second direction is, for example, a direction approximately 90 degrees different from the first direction. Thus, for example, the "bending" of the leg can be represented, and for example, the "bending of the foot" with a gimmicky feeling can be represented in actions such as high kicks. For the detailed content, it will be described later using Figure 5 Narrate.

[0039] In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above rotation directions, and the rotation direction can be determined as an arbitrary direction according to the position where the rotation mechanism is adopted. In addition, according to the present embodiment, in order to realize the "bending" and "twisting" actions in the model toy, the second direction is defined as a direction approximately 90 degrees different from the first direction, but the present invention is not limited to their angles, and can be set to any angle according to the actions to be realized.

[0040] <Rotation action>

[0041] Next, with reference to Figure 4 And Figure 5 , various rotation actions of the left leg 100 of the model toy of the present embodiment will be described. Figure 4 Of (a), Figure 4 Of (b) show the rotation action of the leg in the first direction (vertical direction). Figure 4 Of (c) shows the rotation action of the leg in the second direction (horizontal direction). Figure 5 The postures of the left leg using multiple rotation actions will be described. In addition, Figure 4 Of (a) to

[0042] Figure 4In (c) thereof, the fittings 202 and 203 are each composed of two fittings, but for the sake of easy explanation, only the fittings 202a and 203a on the right side are shown here.

[0043] As Figure 4 shown in (a) thereof, the fitting 211 can rotate about the rotation axis 401 in the direction indicated by the arrow (the first direction). The rotation axis 401 is formed by inserting the cylindrical connecting portion 322a of the fitting 202a into the annular connecting portion 341 of the fitting 211. According to this rotation action, the fitting group connected to the thigh portion 101 of the fitting 201 can rotate in the vertical direction (up and down direction) of the model toy.

[0044] As Figure 4 shown in (b) thereof, the fitting 202a can rotate about the rotation axis 402 in the direction indicated by the arrow (the first direction). The rotation axis 402 is formed by inserting the cylindrical connecting portion 321a of the fitting 202a into the annular connecting portion 312 of the fitting 201. According to this rotation action, the fitting group connected to the thigh portion 101 of the fitting 201 can rotate in the vertical direction (up and down direction) of the model toy. Thus, rotating in the same direction as the rotation action shown in (a) thereof can expand the movable area of the knee joint of the model toy. As Figure 4 shown in (a) thereof, it can rotate to a position where the leg is folded up at the knee joint. Figure 4 shown in (b) thereof, at the knee joint, it can rotate to a position where the leg is folded up.

[0045] As Figure 4 shown in (c) thereof, the fitting 201 can rotate about the rod-shaped rotation axis 311 in the direction indicated by the arrow (the second direction). This rotation action can be performed within the range sandwiched by the fittings 203a and 203b. In addition, by this rotation action, the fitting group connected to the thigh portion 101 of the fitting 201 also rotates in conjunction.

[0046] According to this rotation action, the fitting 201 can rotate in the horizontal direction (left and right direction) of the model toy relative to the connected fittings 203a and 203b. Thus, in the model toy of the present embodiment, at this knee joint, it can move in two rotation directions, namely the first direction and the second direction different from the first direction, and can perform more natural postures and movements.

[0047] Figure 5 (a) thereof shows the left leg portion 100 before the rotation action. Figure 5 (b) thereof shows from Figure 5The state of (a) is shown, where the lower leg part 103 and the foot part 104 are rotated in the arrow direction about the rotation axis 311. Thus, in addition to the extension and flexion movements of the leg, which are the normal rotational movements of the knee joint, in the model toy of the present embodiment, rotational movements in a direction different from the extension and flexion movements can also be performed. Therefore, for example, when a high-kicking pose or the like is performed in the model toy, by performing Figure 5 the twisting movement shown in (b), the bending of the foot can be reproduced, and a more immersive pose can be achieved.

[0048] As described above, the model toy of the present embodiment includes: a base fitting having a first connecting portion, a second connecting portion, and a rotation axis; a first part connected to the base fitting via the first connecting portion so as to be rotatable in a first direction; and a second part connected to the base fitting via the second connecting portion, the second part being rotatable about the rotation axis of the base fitting in a second direction different from the first direction. Thus, according to the present embodiment, a joint mechanism capable of performing rotational movements in two directions can be realized in the joint structure provided in the model toy. Thereby, in the legs, arms, etc., "bending" and "twisting" movements can be performed, and gimmicky movements can be achieved. Thus, according to the present embodiment, for example, a novel structure of a movable mechanism in a model toy can be provided.

[0049] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the gist of the invention. For example, the shape of the model toy is not particularly limited and includes various shapes such as humans, animals, robots, insects, dinosaurs, etc.

[0050] <Summary of the Embodiment>

[0051] The above-described embodiment discloses at least the following model toy and movable structure. (1)

[0053] A model toy, characterized in that

[0054] the model toy includes:

[0055] a base fitting having a first connecting portion, a second connecting portion, and a rotation axis;

[0056] a first part connected to the base fitting via the first connecting portion so as to be rotatable in a first direction; and

[0057] a second part connected to the base fitting via the second connecting portion, the second part being rotatable about the rotation axis of the base fitting in a second direction different from the first direction. (2)

[0059] The model toy according to (1), characterized in that

[0060] The first connecting portion has an annular shape,

[0061] The first part includes a first fitting and a second fitting, and is connected in such a manner that the first fitting and the second fitting sandwich the base fitting, and a third connecting portion formed in one of the first fitting and the second fitting is inserted into the first connecting portion. (3)

[0063] The model toy according to (2), characterized in that

[0064] The rotating shaft has a rod shape,

[0065] The second connecting portion is a protrusion formed on the outer periphery of the rotating shaft,

[0066] The second part includes a third fitting and a fourth fitting, and is connected in such a manner that the third fitting and the fourth fitting sandwich the base fitting,

[0067] A recess is formed in the third fitting and the fourth fitting, and the protrusion is rotatably connected to the recess. (4)

[0069] The model toy according to any one of (1) to (3), characterized in that

[0070] The model toy further includes a third part, and the third part is connected to the first part in such a manner that it can rotate relative to the first part in the first direction. (5)

[0072] The model toy according to (4), characterized in that

[0073] The first part and the third part form the thigh portion of the leg of the model toy,

[0074] The second part forms the calf portion of the leg of the model toy. (6)

[0076] The model toy according to (4), characterized in that

[0077] The first part and the third part form the upper arm portion of the arm of the model toy,

[0078] The second part forms the forearm portion of the arm of the model toy. (7)

[0080] The model toy according to any one of (1) to (6), characterized in that,

[0081] The first direction is the vertical direction of the model toy, and the second direction is the horizontal direction of the model toy. (8)

[0083] The model toy according to any one of (1) to (6), characterized in that,

[0084] The orientations of the first direction and the second direction differ by approximately 90 degrees. (9)

[0086] A movable structure of a model toy, characterized in that,

[0087] The movable structure includes:

[0088] A base fitting having a first connecting portion, a second connecting portion, and a rotation axis;

[0089] A first part connected to the base fitting via the first connecting portion so as to be rotatable in a first direction; and

[0090] A second part connected to the base fitting via the second connecting portion, the second part being rotatable about the rotation axis of the base fitting in a second direction different from the first direction.

Claims

1. A model toy, characterized in that the model toy includes: a base fitting having a first connecting portion, a second connecting portion, and a rotating shaft; a first part connected to the base fitting by means of the first connecting portion so as to be rotatable in a first direction; and a second part connected to the base fitting by means of the second connecting portion, the second part being rotatable about the rotating shaft of the base fitting in a second direction different from the first direction.

2. The model toy according to claim 1, characterized in that the first connecting portion has an annular shape, the first part includes a first fitting and a second fitting, and is connected in such a manner that the base fitting is sandwiched between the first fitting and the second fitting, and a third connecting portion formed in one of the first fitting and the second fitting is inserted into the first connecting portion.

3. The model toy according to claim 2, characterized in that the rotating shaft has a rod shape, the second connecting portion is a protrusion formed on the outer periphery of the rotating shaft, the second part includes a third fitting and a fourth fitting, and is connected in such a manner that the base fitting is sandwiched between the third fitting and the fourth fitting, and a recess is formed in the third fitting and the fourth fitting, and the protrusion is rotatably connected to the recess.

4. The model toy according to claim 3, characterized in that the model toy further includes a third part, which is connected to the first part so as to be rotatable in the first direction relative to the first part.

5. The model toy according to claim 4, characterized in that the first part and the third part form the thigh part of the leg of the model toy, the second part forms the calf part of the leg of the model toy.

6. The model toy according to claim 4, characterized in that the first part and the third part form the upper arm part of the arm of the model toy, the second part forms the forearm part of the arm of the model toy.

7. The model toy according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the first direction is the vertical direction of the model toy, and the second direction is the horizontal direction of the model toy.

8. The model toy according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the orientations of the first direction and the second direction differ by approximately 90 degrees.

9. A movable structure of a model toy, characterized in that the movable structure includes: a base fitting having a first connecting portion, a second connecting portion, and a rotating shaft; a first part connected to the base fitting by means of the first connecting portion so as to be rotatable in a first direction; and a second part connected to the base fitting by means of the second connecting portion, the second part being rotatable about the rotating shaft of the base fitting in a second direction different from the first direction.

Images