Toy figure with ball joints

Abstract

A toy figure (1) with a multiplicity of movable body parts (2) is made available. Two body parts (2) are in each case releasably connected to each other by a ball joint (4). The ball joint (4) has a first joint part (41) and a second joint part (42). Each joint part (41, 42) has a first end and an opposite, second end, which are connected to each other via an articulated pin (43). A joint head (411) is arranged at the first end of the first joint part (41), and a joint socket (421) is arranged at the first end of the second joint part (42). The joint socket (421) supports the joint head (411) movably. An anchor (44) is arranged in each case at the second end of the first joint part (41) and at the second end of the second joint part (42), for fastening the respective joint part (41, 42) to a body part (2). At least one of the body parts (2) consists of multiple components (21, 22). The anchor (44) is arranged in each case in a suitably shaped receptacle (24) of a body part (2), which receptacle is closed by joining the components (21, 22) together.

Description

[0001] TOY FIGURE WITH BALL JOINTS

[0002] The present invention relates to a toy figure with a plurality of body parts that are movably and detachably connected to one another via ball joints. The use of universal ball joints allows for the combination of body parts of the same toy figure in new ways, as well as for the mixing and matching of different toy figures in a variety of ways.

[0003] A toy figure whose body parts are connected by ball joints is described, for example, in US Pat. No. 1,359,030. In this figure, the ball joints at the hip, knee, shoulder, etc., each have different sizes, so that the combination of body parts is fixed.

[0004] Another toy figure of this type with a multitude of body parts movably connected via ball joints is known from CA 2,477,531. In this figure, the ball joints are firmly connected to a body part via a stem, or the body part and joint head are formed as one piece. Accordingly, matching body parts have a socket formed within them into which the joint heads can be inserted. By using similar ball joints, body parts can be partially interchanged.

[0005] The present invention is based on the object of overcoming the problems known in the prior art and providing an improved toy figure with a variety of body parts. In particular, a toy figure is to be provided whose body parts and joints can be combined with one another in a particularly versatile manner. In particular, body parts of different toy figures can also be interchanged and combined with one another. The toy figure according to the invention can thus be part of a set of similarly constructed toy figures.

[0006] The object is achieved by the toy figure according to claim 1. Further embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims, the drawings, and the following description of exemplary embodiments. A toy figure according to the invention has a plurality of body parts, for example a head, a torso, shoulders, upper arms, forearms, hands, a plurality of fingers with phalanges, feet, legs, etc. Two body parts are connected to one another by a joint, in particular a ball joint, so that the connection can be released and reconnected multiple times. In particular, all or at least a plurality of the joints are of the same design, so that the body parts can be exchanged and combined with one another in almost any way. Thus, by connecting body parts, a multitude of different combinations can be put together.Body parts of other toy figures in a set of toy figures can also be exchanged and combined with each other.

[0007] The joints are designed as ball joints that are detachably connected to one another. Each ball joint has a first joint part and a second joint part. Typically, the first joint part is connected to a first body part, and the second joint part is connected to a second body part. By joining the two joint parts, an articulated connection is created between the two body parts. Ball joints have the advantage of allowing a particularly high degree of freedom of movement.

[0008] Each joint part has a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The first end and the second end are connected to each other via a joint axis. The joint axis can be cylindrical or pin-shaped, for example. The first end, the joint axis, and the second end are preferably formed integrally. This allows the joint parts to be produced in large quantities, for example, particularly inexpensively using an injection molding process.

[0009] A joint head is arranged at the first end of the first joint part. A joint socket is arranged at the first end of the second joint part, which can accommodate and movably mount the joint head. The joint head and joint socket thus form the ball joint. The joint head is essentially spherical. The joint socket is essentially designed as a hollow hemisphere and is also connected to a joint axis. The inner radius of the hollow, hemispherical joint socket essentially corresponds to the outer radius of the spherical joint head, so that the joint head can be inserted into the joint socket with the greatest possible precision. In preferred embodiments of the invention, ball joints of different sizes can be used, which are dimensioned in particular to match the size of the body parts. In order to nevertheless be able to create a connection between joint parts of different sizes, adapter pieces can preferably be provided.This also makes it possible to combine the body parts with body parts of other toy figures, whose body parts may be much larger or much smaller.

[0010] The socket is preferably elastically deformable, so that the joint head must be pressed into the socket with a predetermined force to establish the connection. By applying a predetermined force, the joint head can be pulled back out of the socket. By using suitable materials, such as a plastic material or a combination of several plastic materials or suitable composite materials, the ball joint can be connected and disconnected numerous times without fatigue of the elastic properties of the socket.

[0011] The spherical joint head can, for example, have a diameter of approximately 3 to 10 mm, preferably 4 to 8 mm, and particularly preferably approximately 5 mm. The hollow spherical joint socket correspondingly has an inner diameter of approximately 3 to 10 mm, preferably 4 to 8 mm, and particularly preferably approximately 5 mm.

[0012] At the second end of the first joint part and at the second end of the second joint part, an anchor is arranged for fastening the respective joint part to a body part. The anchor is in particular designed such that it can be connected to a body part in a form-fitting manner. The fastening of a joint part is then carried out, for example, by inserting the anchor into a correspondingly shaped receptacle in a body part. A body part can have receptacles for one joint part or preferably two joint parts, particularly preferably for three or more joint parts. For example, a head has one receptacle for one joint part. An upper arm, forearm or leg preferably has two receptacles for joint parts. A torso can, for example, have five receptacles for joint parts. A hand can, in particular, have three, four, five or six receptacles for joint parts.A preferred body part consists of several components, preferably two halves that can be detachably connected to one another. To ensure safe play, even for children, the components can be glued together to prevent accidental separation of the components during play. According to a preferred embodiment, the receptacles for the joints are arranged halfway between, for example, two components, so that assembling the components creates a positive fit between the receptacle and the anchor, preventing the joint part from falling out or being pulled out.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment, most of the body parts of the toy figure are composed of two essentially half-shell-shaped components. Preferably, one half of each receptacle is arranged in one of the half-shells. A half-shell shape is particularly easy to implement and can also save material and weight, while simultaneously achieving high strength.

[0014] A design of the body parts consisting of two halves does not preclude the possibility that additional components of the body part are connected or can be connected to the "halves" to form the body part. However, the essential load-bearing properties, including the receptacles, are preferably fulfilled by the components referred to as halves. For the sake of simplicity, the term "half" is used below, even if additional components may be present.

[0015] The receptacles can hold the anchors in place, particularly against being pulled out along the joint axis. In preferred embodiments, the anchor can rotate in the receptacle about the joint axis. The receptacles can, in particular, form a bushing in which the anchors are each rotatably mounted.

[0016] The components or halves of a body part are preferably detachably mortised and tenoned together. For example, the components can be connected to one another using two or more tenons. One component can have the tenon holes and another component can have the tenon projections, which each engage in the tenon holes. Alternatively, each component can have a tenon hole and a tenon projection, so that a relative orientation of the components is preferably specified. A connection by means of tenons has the advantage that the connection can be released by applying a predetermined force. This force is preferably so small that a child can easily separate the components from one another when playing with the toy figure. Furthermore, the force is preferably so large that the components are not separated from one another due to normal stresses that occur when playing with the toy figure.Corresponding tap connections that can be connected and disconnected many times can be easily manufactured, for example, in injection-molded plastic parts.

[0017] Instead of a tenon attachment, components of some body parts can also be connected to each other using clamping edges or the like, which run along an inner edge of a substantially hollow, half-shell-shaped component of a body part. The matching counterpart is also half-shell-shaped, with the inner edge serving to clamp the clamping edge.

[0018] In a further preferred embodiment, the anchor can have a stopper that prevents rotation of a joint part about the joint axis. Rotation of two body parts relative to each other about the joint axis can still be possible, since the joint head can preferably be rotated about the joint axis in the joint socket. However, the movement about the joint axis can depend on the orientation of the body parts relative to each other.

[0019] A preferred ball joint is designed to rotate along three axes. A first axis of rotation can run along the joint axis or parallel to the joint axis. The second and third axes of rotation are preferably aligned perpendicular to the joint axis. The three resulting rotational movements can also be referred to as rolling, yaw, and pitch, with rolling being defined as along the joint axis.

[0020] According to a preferred embodiment, the joint socket of the second joint part can have a recess whose size corresponds at least to the joint axis of the first joint part, so that the joint axis can be moved into the recess. The recess allows a deflection of the ball joint of up to approximately 90 degrees, preferably up to 100 degrees, particularly preferably up to 120 degrees, relative to the joint axis. The recess can preferably be dimensioned such that the joint axis of the first joint part can engage in the recess, thus locking the joint against further movement perpendicular to the joint axis of the second joint part.

[0021] According to a preferred embodiment, the anchor of a joint part is designed as an annular projection perpendicular to the joint axis. The annular projection can, in particular, be rotationally symmetrical. The receptacle in the body part is a corresponding bushing with a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the projection, which forms a pivot bearing with the projection.

[0022] In a design of the anchor with a stopper, the above-described annular projection can have a flattened portion. The receptacle in the body part can have a flattened portion corresponding to the annular projection. The flattened portion of the annular projection and the flattened portion of the receptacle form a positive fit that can prevent the joint part from twisting about the joint axis. As an alternative to the flattened portion, the stopper can be designed as a bulge or notch, or an indentation or notch. The receptacle can be designed accordingly so that the anchor and receptacle form a positive fit. Furthermore, combinations of flattened portions, bulges, and indentations are conceivable as preferred designs.

[0023] The first joint part is made of a first material. The second joint part is preferably made of a second material that is different from the first material. The first material and the second material can preferably each be plastics that can be processed using an injection molding process. Advantageously, the first material and the second material can have similar strengths. Further preferably, the first material and the second material have a specific coefficient of friction with respect to one another, such that a predetermined frictional force is generated between the joint head and the joint socket. The frictional force can be increased in particular by a clamping effect of the joint socket. The frictional force or clamping effect prevents two body parts from changing their orientation relative to one another on their own or due to gravity alone.This allows the toy figure's body parts to be moved into a desired position relative to each other, for example, during play. This position does not change automatically, for example, due solely to gravity. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES.

[0024] Further advantageous embodiments are described in more detail below with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawings, to which the invention is not limited, however.

[0025] They show schematically:

[0026] Figure 1 shows a toy figure according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0027] Figure 2 shows an embodiment of a ball joint for a toy figure according to the invention.

[0028] Figure 3 illustrates the joint connection between two body parts of a toy figure according to the invention.

[0029] Figure 4 shows a detailed view of one half of a body part with images.

[0030] Figure 5 shows a finger joint with ball joints.

[0031] Figure 6 shows a view of an arm.

[0032] Figure 7 illustrates various adapter pieces for connecting body parts of different sizes.

[0033] Figures 8 and 9 illustrate various toy figures from a kit whose body parts are interchangeable.

[0034] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION USING EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0035] In the following description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, like reference numerals designate like or comparable components.

[0036] Fig. 1 shows a toy figure 1 according to an embodiment of the invention with a plurality of body parts 2, including an upper body 2a and a lower body 2b. On the upper body 2a, a shoulder 2c is arranged on the left and right, each of which is connected to an upper arm 2d. The upper arm 2d is connected to a forearm 2e, which has a hand, on which a plurality of fingers formed from phalanges 2f are arranged. On the lower body 2b, a leg 2g with a foot 2h is arranged on the left and right. Furthermore, a head 3 is arranged in the upper body 2a. The left body parts 2 are shown separated from one another, while the right body parts 2 are assembled.

[0037] The body parts 2 are each movably connected to one another via ball joints 4. Details of the ball joints are described below. In Fig. 1, the joint heads 411 of the ball joints 4 are visible on the left body parts.

[0038] Fig. 2 shows a detailed view of a ball joint 4, which has a first joint part 41 and a second joint part 42. Each joint part 41, 42 has a first end and an opposite second end, which are each connected to each other via a cylindrical or pin-shaped joint axis 43.

[0039] A spherical joint head 411 is arranged at the first end of the first joint part 41. A substantially hemispherical joint socket 421 is arranged at the first end of the second joint part 42. By a plugging movement in the direction of the arrow shown, the joint head 411 can be clipped into the joint socket 421, so that the joint socket 421 movably supports the joint head 411.

[0040] The joint head 411 represents a right-handed coordinate system with coordinate axes x, y, and z. The coordinate system is defined here with a fixed reference to the joint head. Rotations around the respective coordinate axes are designated Rx, Ry, and Rz. The pivot point is the center of the spherical joint head 411. The rotation Rx corresponds to a rotation around the joint axis 43 and is referred to as rolling. The rotation Ry is also referred to as pitching, and the rotation Rz is also referred to as yaw.

[0041] The joint socket 421 exerts a clamping force on the clipped-in joint head 411, so that a certain force must be applied to move the joint parts 41, 42 against each other. This clamping force can be adjusted by appropriately selecting the materials for the joint parts 41, 42. On the one hand, the choice of material for the second joint part 42 influences the elasticity of the joint socket 421. On the other hand, the friction between the joint head 411 and the joint socket 421 can be influenced by the materials.

[0042] Due to the clamping force or frictional force between the joint socket 421 and the joint head 411, the body parts 2 of the toy figure 1 can be arbitrarily aligned relative to one another without the alignment changing spontaneously or only under the influence of gravity. Thus, the toy figure 1 can assume a desired position or pose during play and maintain it until the position or pose is changed by actively moving the body parts 2 relative to one another.

[0043] The first joint part 41 can be released from the second joint part 42 by pulling along the joint axis 43. The holding force of the joint socket 421 is preferably only overcome when pulled with a predetermined tensile force. For example, a tensile force of at least 50 N, preferably at least 60 N, more preferably at least 70 N is required to release the joint parts 41, 42 from one another. The joint parts 41, 42 are designed such that they can be connected or separated from one another many times without the force required for this changing noticeably.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment, both joint parts 41, 42 are made of the same plastic material. In alternative embodiments, the joint parts 41, 42 can be made of different plastic materials. Furthermore, the surface of the joint head 411 or the inner surface of the joint socket 421 can be coated with a material to adjust the friction between the joint head 411 and the joint socket 421 to a desired level.

[0045] The joint socket 421 of the second joint part 42 has two opposing round notches 422 on the circumferential edge of the hemispherical shape. The diameter of the notches 422 corresponds to the diameter of the joint axis 43 of the first joint part 41. The notches 422 increase the range of motion of the ball joint 4 for rotations Ry, so that an angular range of 180° is achieved here.

[0046] In preferred embodiments, the notches 422 can be cut even deeper, so that preferably an angular range of, for example, 200° for rotations Ry can be achieved.

[0047] The position in which the joint axes 43 of the two joint parts 41, 42 are aligned with each other is defined as 0°. Thus, the notches 422 allow a rotation Ry of +90° to -90°. Rotations Rx are possible over the entire angular range of 360°. Rotations Rz are possible here within a smaller angular range of approximately +45° to -45°. An anchor 44 for attaching the respective joint part 41, 42 to a body part 2 is arranged at the second end of the first joint part 41 and at the second end of the second joint part 42. For attaching the joint parts to a body part 2, the body parts each have corresponding receptacles 24, which will be described later.

[0048] The anchor 44 is designed as an annular projection perpendicular to the joint axis 43. The annular projection here has a flattened portion 441, which serves as a stopper to prevent rotation of the joint part 41, 42 installed in a body part 2 about the joint axis 43.

[0049] Fig. 3 shows the shoulder 2c and the upper arm 2d of the toy figure 1 in detail. Both body parts 2c and 2d each consist of several components, here two halves 21c, 22c, and 21d and 22d. The halves are essentially symmetrical to each other. Receptacles 24 for the anchors 44 of the joint parts 41, 42 are arranged inside the body parts 2. These receptacles 42 are described below with reference to Fig. 4.

[0050] Fig. 4 shows one half 21c of the shoulder 2c in detail. The arrow indicates the direction in which the joint parts 41, 42 can each be inserted into the receptacle 24. The receptacle 24 is designed to correspond to the shape of the projection of the anchor 44. The receptacles 24 each have flattened portions 241 to match the flattened portion 441 of the anchor 44. When the joint parts 41, 42 are inserted into the respective receptacle 24, the flat surfaces of the flattened portions 441 of the anchor 44 come into contact with the flat surfaces of the flattened portions 241 of the receptacles. This prevents the joint parts 41, 42 from twisting about the joint axis 43.

[0051] After inserting the joint parts 41, 42 into the corresponding receptacles 24, the second half 22c (not shown in Fig. 4) of the body part 2c can be connected to the first half 21c. By combining the halves 21c, 22c, the receptacles 24 are closed, so that the joint parts 41, 42 are secured therein. In the illustrated embodiment, one half of the receptacle 24 is arranged in each half 21c, 22c of the body part 2c.

[0052] In the case of the illustrated shoulder 2c, the fastening is achieved by means of clamping edges on the inner edge of the halves 21c, 22c. The half 22c (not shown) has a circumferential projection on the inner edge, which clamps with the inner edge of the illustrated half 21c.

[0053] This mechanism is described below using Fig. 5.

[0054] Fig. 5 shows a finger joint 2f. The assembled finger joint 2f is shown below. At the top of Fig. 5, the two halves 21f and 22f of the finger joint 2f are separated from each other. On the circumferential inner edge of the lower half 21f, a clamping edge 25 can be seen, which engages the inner side of the upper half 22f and exerts a clamping force to secure the two halves 21f, 22f together.

[0055] Fig. 6 illustrates the left arm of toy figure 1 from Fig. 1. The shoulder 2c, upper arm 2d, and forearm 2e are separated from each other. The hand on the forearm has three fingers and a thumb. Each finger is formed from three phalanges 2f. The thumb has two phalanges 2f. The structure of the phalanges 2f has already been described with reference to Fig. 5.

[0056] Fig. 7 shows three exemplary adapter pieces 45 with differently sized joint parts. The adapter pieces 45 can, for example, be constructed similarly to the finger joint 2f shown in Fig. 5. A first adapter piece 45 in Fig. 7 at the top combines a large joint head 411a with a small joint socket 421b. A second adapter piece 45 in the middle of Fig. 7 combines a large joint head 411a with a large joint socket 421a. A third adapter piece 45 at the bottom of Fig. 7 combines a small joint head 411b with a large joint socket 421a.

[0057] In the following, examples of toy figures 1, 10 are described in which body parts 2, 20 of different sizes were exchanged by using the adapter pieces 45.

[0058] The toy figures 1 described here as an exemplary embodiment can be offered, in particular, as a kit, which allows a multitude of different body parts 2 of different toy figures of various sizes to be interchanged and connected to one another via joints 4 and / or adapter pieces 45, so that many different configurations of the toy figures can be assembled. Figs. 8 and 9 show, by way of example, two different toy figures 1, 10 whose body parts are interchangeable. The adapter pieces 45 shown in Fig. 7 are used for this purpose.

[0059] In Fig. 8, the left toy figure 1 from Fig. 1 has the left arm 20e of the second toy figure 10 on the right. The arm 20e of the toy figure 10 was connected to the shoulder of the toy figure 1 via an adapter piece 45.

[0060] The slightly smaller, lighter body parts 20 of the toy figure 10 have slightly smaller joint heads 411b that are firmly connected to the body parts 20. These smaller joint heads 411b fit into the smaller joint sockets 421b of the adapter pieces 45.

[0061] In Fig. 9, both the legs 2g, 20g and the arms 2e, 20e were exchanged between the two toy figures 1, 10. The connection is made via suitable adapter pieces 45, as shown in Fig. 7. The body parts 20 of the second toy figure 10 were thus attached to the first toy figure 1 via the adapters 45 shown at the top of Fig. 7.

[0062] The larger body parts 2 of the first toy figure 1 have the larger joint heads 411a. These body parts 2 are connected to the second toy figure 10 via the adapter pieces 45 shown below in Fig. 7, with the matching larger joint sockets 421a. Thus, using the adapter pieces 45, various combinations of body parts 2, 20 of the different figures 1, 10 can be assembled.

[0063] Because the joints 4 consist of joint parts 41, 42 that are inserted between the halves 21, 22 of the body parts 2, joints 4 of different sizes and types can be installed. Since the ball joints 4 can be easily assembled or separated, exchanging and combining body parts is particularly easy without damaging the parts.

[0064] The features disclosed in the above description, the claims and the drawings may be important both individually and in any combination for the realization of the invention in its various forms.

Claims

REQUIREMENTS 1. Toy figure (1) with a plurality of movable body parts (2), wherein: two body parts (2) are detachably connected to each other by a ball joint (4); the ball joint (4) has a first joint part (41) and a second joint part (42); each joint part (41, 42) has a first end and an opposite second end, which are connected to each other via a joint axis (43); a joint head (411) is arranged at the first end of the first joint part (41); a joint socket (421) is arranged at the first end of the second joint part (42); the joint socket (421) movably supports the joint head (411); an anchor (44) for attaching the respective joint part (41, 42) to a body part (2) is arranged at the second end of the first joint part (41) and at the second end of the second joint part (42); at least one of the multiple body parts (2) consists of several components (21, 22);the anchor (44) is arranged in a correspondingly shaped receptacle (24) of the at least one body part (2), which is closed by assembling the components (21, 22).

2. Toy figure (1) according to claim 1, wherein the anchor (44) has a stopper (441) which prevents rotation about the joint axis (43).

3. Toy figure (1) according to claim 1, wherein the ball joint (4) is rotatable in three axes.

4. Toy figure (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the components (21, 22) each have pins for mutually fastening the components (21, 22).

5. Toy figure (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the receptacle (24) is designed such that it is opened by releasing the components (21, 22) so that the joint part (41, 42) is released.

6. Toy figure (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the joint axis (43) between first end and second end is designed as a cylindrical pin.

7. Toy figure (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the socket (421) of the second joint part (42) has a notch (422) whose size corresponds at least to the joint axis (43) of the first joint part (41).

8. Toy figure (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein: the anchor (44) is designed as an annular projection perpendicular to the joint axis (43); and the receptacle (24) is a bushing with a cross-section corresponding to the projection (44), which forms a pivot bearing with the projection (44).

9. Toy figure (1) according to claim 8, wherein: the annular projection has a flattening (441); the receptacle (24) has a flattening (241) corresponding to the annular projection; and the flattening (441) of the annular projection and the flattening (241) of the receptacle (24) prevent the joint part (41, 42) from rotating about the joint axis (43).

10. Toy figure (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the joint socket (421) is elastic to allow repeated coupling or uncoupling of the joint head (411). 11 Toy figure (1) according to claim 10, wherein coupling the joint head (411) to or releasing the joint head (411) from the joint socket (421) requires a predetermined force.

12. Toy figure (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein several ball joints (4) are connected in series.

13. Toy figure (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first joint part (41) is made of a first material and the second joint part (42) is made of a second material different from the first material.

Images