Toy figure with ball joints

Description

[0001] 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, on the one hand, the body parts of the same toy figure to be recombined, and on the other hand, different toy figures to be mixed together in a variety of ways.

[0002] A toy figure whose body parts are connected by ball joints is described, for example, in US 1,359,030. In this figure, the ball joints at the hip, knee, shoulder, etc., are of different sizes, so that the combination of body parts is fixed.

[0003] Another toy figure of this type, with a multitude of body parts movably connected to one another via ball joints, is known from CA 2,477,531. In this figure, the ball heads of the joints are firmly connected to a body part via a stem, or the body part and joint head are formed as a single piece. Correspondingly, matching body parts have a socket into which the joint heads can be inserted. The use of identical ball joints allows for partial interchangeability of body parts.

[0004] The present invention aims to overcome problems known in the prior art and to provide an improved toy figure with a variety of body parts. In particular, the invention seeks to provide a toy figure whose body parts and joints can be combined in a particularly versatile manner. Specifically, body parts from different toy figures can 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.

[0005] The problem is solved 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.

[0006] A toy figure according to the invention has a multitude of body parts, for example, a head, a torso, shoulders, upper arms, forearms, hands, a multitude of fingers with finger joints, feet, legs, etc. Each pair of body parts is connected to one another by a joint, in particular a ball joint, so that the connection can be repeatedly opened and closed. In particular, all or at least a multitude of the joints are of the same type, 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 assembled. Body parts from other toy figures within a set of toy figures can also be exchanged and combined with one another.

[0007] The joints are designed as ball-and-socket joints, which are detachably connected to each other. Each ball-and-socket 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 articulating connection is created between the two body parts. Ball-and-socket joints have the advantage of allowing a particularly high degree of freedom of movement.

[0008] Each joint component has a first end and a second end opposite the first. The first and second ends are connected by a joint axis. The joint axis can be, for example, cylindrical or pin-shaped. The first end, the joint axis, and the second end are preferably formed in one piece. This allows the joint components to be manufactured particularly cost-effectively in large quantities, for example, using an injection molding process.

[0009] At the first end of the first joint component is a joint head. At the first end of the second joint component is a joint socket that can accommodate the joint head and allow for movement. Thus, the joint head and joint socket form the ball-and-socket joint. The joint head is essentially spherical. The joint socket is essentially a hollow hemisphere and is also connected to a joint axis. The inner radius of the hollow, hemispherical joint socket corresponds essentially to the outer radius of the spherical joint head, so that the joint head can be inserted into the joint socket as precisely as possible.

[0010] In preferred embodiments of the invention, ball joints of different sizes can be used, dimensioned in particular to match the size of the body parts. To nevertheless enable a connection between joint parts of different sizes, adapter pieces can preferably be provided. This also allows the body parts to be combined with body parts of other toy figures, whose body parts may be significantly larger or significantly smaller.

[0011] The socket is preferably elastically deformable, so that the ball joint must be pressed into the socket with a predetermined force to establish the connection. By applying a predetermined force, the ball joint can be withdrawn from the socket. By using suitable materials, such as a plastic material, a combination of several plastic materials, or suitable composite materials, the ball joint can be connected and disconnected many times without any fatigue of the socket's elastic properties.

[0012] 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 accordingly has an inner diameter of approximately 3 to 10 mm, preferably 4 to 8 mm, and particularly preferably approximately 5 mm.

[0013] An anchor for attaching the respective joint part to a body part is arranged at the second end of the first joint part and at the second end of the second joint part. The anchor is designed, in particular, to allow for a positive-locking connection to a body part. Attaching a joint part is then achieved, for example, by inserting the anchor into a correspondingly shaped receptacle in the body part. A body part can have receptacles for one joint part, or preferably two joint parts, and more preferably three or more joint parts. For example, a head has one receptacle for a 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.

[0014] A preferred body part consists of several components, preferably two halves, which can be detachably connected. To ensure safe play, even for children, the components can be glued together to prevent unintentional separation during play. According to a preferred embodiment, the receptacles for the joints are each arranged halfway within, for example, two components, so that when the components are assembled, a positive fit is created between the receptacle and the anchor, thus preventing the joint part from falling out or being pulled out.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment, most of the toy figure's body parts are composed of two essentially hemispherical components. Preferably, one half of a receptacle is arranged in each of the hemispherical components. A hemispherical shape is particularly easy to implement and can also save material and weight, while simultaneously achieving high strength.

[0016] The fact that the body parts are constructed from two halves does not preclude the possibility that further additional components of the body part are or can be connected to the "halves" to form the body part. However, the essential load-bearing properties, including the mountings, are preferably fulfilled by the components referred to as halves. For the sake of simplicity, the term "half" will be used preferentially in the following, even if additional components may be present.

[0017] The receptacles can secure the anchors, in particular preventing them from being pulled out along the pivot axis. In preferred embodiments, it is possible to rotate the anchor within the receptacle about the pivot axis. The receptacles can, in particular, form a bushing in which the anchors are rotatably mounted.

[0018] The components or halves of a body part are preferably detachably joined by mortise and tenon joints. For example, the components can be connected via two or more tenons. One component can have the mortises and another component the tenon projections that engage in the mortises. Alternatively, each component can have one mortise and one tenon projection, thus preferably defining a relative orientation of the components.

[0019] A connection using a tenon joint 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 while playing with the toy figure. Furthermore, the force is preferably large enough that the components are not separated by the typical stresses that occur when playing with the toy figure. Such tenon joints, which can be repeatedly connected and disconnected, can be easily manufactured, for example, in injection-molded plastic parts.

[0020] Instead of a tenon joint, components of some body parts can also be connected to each other using clamping edges or similar devices that run along an inner edge of a substantially hollow, hemispherical component of the body part. The corresponding counterpart is also hemispherical, with the inner edge serving to clamp the clamping edge.

[0021] In another preferred embodiment, the anchor can have a stopper that prevents a joint component from rotating around the joint axis. However, twisting of two body parts relative to each other around the joint axis may still be possible, since the joint head can preferably rotate around the joint axis within the joint socket. Nevertheless, the movement around the joint axis may depend on the orientation of the body parts relative to each other.

[0022] A preferred ball joint is designed to rotate in three axes. A first axis of rotation can run along or parallel to the joint axis. Second and third axes of rotation are preferably oriented perpendicular to the joint axis. The three resulting rotational movements can also be described as roll, yaw, and pitch, with roll being defined as rotation along the joint axis.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment, the socket of the second joint component can have a recess whose size corresponds at least to the joint axis of the first joint component, so that the joint axis can be moved into the recess. The recess allows the ball joint to deflect by up to approximately 90 degrees, preferably up to 100 degrees, and 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 component can engage in the recess, thus locking the joint against further movement perpendicular to the joint axis of the second joint component.

[0024] According to a preferred embodiment, the anchor of a joint component 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 component is a corresponding bushing with a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the projection, which together with the projection forms a rotary bearing.

[0025] In an anchor design with a stopper, the annular projection described above can have a flattened section. The receptacle in the body part can have a flattened section corresponding to the annular projection. The flattened section of the annular projection and the flattened section of the receptacle form a positive fit that can prevent the joint part from rotating around the joint axis. Alternatively, instead of a flattened section, the stopper can be designed as a bulge or notch, or a recess or indentation. The receptacle can be designed accordingly so that the anchor and receptacle form a positive fit. Furthermore, combinations of flattened sections, bulges, and recesses are conceivable as preferred designs.

[0026] The first joint component is made of a first material. The second joint component is preferably made of a second material that differs from the first. Both the first and second materials are preferably plastics that can be processed by injection molding. Advantageously, the first and second materials can have similar strengths. Furthermore, the first and second materials preferably have a specific coefficient of friction with respect to each other, 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 the two body parts from changing their orientation relative to each other spontaneously or solely due to gravity.Thus, the body parts of the toy figure can be brought into a desired position relative to each other, for example during play, which does not change automatically, for example only due to gravity. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0027] Further advantageous embodiments are described in more detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment shown in the drawings, to which, however, the invention is not limited.

[0028] They show schematically: Figure 1 shows a toy figure according to an embodiment of the invention. Figure 2 shows an embodiment of a ball joint for a toy figure according to the invention. Figure 3 illustrates the joint connection between two body parts of a toy figure according to the invention. Figure 4 shows a detailed view of one half of a body part with images. Figure 5shows a finger joint with ball joints. Figure 6 shows a view of an arm. Figure 7 illustrates various adapter pieces for connecting body parts of different sizes. Figures 8 and 9 illustrate various toy figures from a construction kit, whose body parts are interchangeable. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION USING EXAMPLES OF EXECUTION

[0029] In the following description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the same reference numerals denote identical or comparable components.

[0030] Fig. 1Figure 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 sides, each connected to an upper arm 2d. The upper arm 2d is connected to a forearm 2e, which has a hand to which a plurality of fingers formed from finger joints 2f are attached. On the lower body 2b, a leg 2g with a foot 2h is arranged on the left and right sides. A head 3 is also arranged in the upper body 2a. The left body parts 2 are shown separately, while the right body parts 2 are shown assembled.

[0031] The body parts 2 are each movably connected to each other via ball joints 4. Details of the ball joints are described below. Fig. 1 The joint heads 411 of the ball joints 4 are visible on the left body parts.

[0032] Fig. 2 Figure 1 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.

[0033] 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 push-in 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.

[0034] In the joint head 411, a right-handed coordinate system with coordinate axes x, y, z is represented. This coordinate system is defined with a fixed reference to the joint head. Rotations about the respective coordinate axes are denoted by Rx, Ry, and Rz. The pivot point is the center of the spherical joint head 411. The rotation Rx corresponds to a rotation about the joint axis 43 and is called roll. The rotation Ry is also called pitch, and the rotation Rz is also called yaw.

[0035] The socket 421 exerts a clamping force on the clipped-in ball joint 411, so that a certain force must be applied to move the joint parts 41, 42 relative to 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 socket 421. On the other hand, the friction between the ball joint 411 and the socket 421 can be influenced by the materials.

[0036] The clamping force or frictional force between joint socket 421 and joint head 411 allows the body parts 2 of the toy figure 1 to be oriented relative to each other in any desired way, without the orientation changing on its own 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 each other.

[0037] The first joint part 41 can be separated 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 a predetermined pulling force is applied. For example, a pulling force of at least 50 N, preferably at least 60 N, and more preferably at least 70 N is necessary to separate the joint parts 41 and 42. The joint parts 41 and 42 are designed so that they can be connected and separated many times without the force required for each connection or separation changing noticeably.

[0038] 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.

[0039] The socket 421 of the second joint part 42 has two opposing round notches 422 on its circumferential hemispherical rim. 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.

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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 from +90° to -90°. Rotations Rx are possible within the entire 360° angular range. Rotations Rz are possible within a smaller angular range of approximately +45° to -45°.

[0042] At the second end of the first joint part 41 and at the second end of the second joint part 42, an anchor 44 is arranged for attaching the respective joint part 41, 42 to a body part 2. For attaching the joint parts to a body part 2, the body parts each have corresponding receptacles 24, which will be described later.

[0043] The anchor 44 is designed as an annular projection perpendicular to the joint axis 43. The annular projection has a flattened section 441, which serves as a stop to prevent rotation of the joint part 41, 42, which is installed in a body part 2, about the joint axis 43.

[0044] Fig. 3 Figure 1 shows the shoulder 2c and 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. Inside the body parts 2 are receptacles 24 for the anchors 44 of the joint parts 41, 42. These receptacles 42 are described below using the following examples. Fig. 4 described.

[0045] Fig. 4Figure 21 shows one half 21c of the shoulder 2c in detail. The arrow indicates the direction in which the joint components 41, 42 can each be inserted into the receptacle 24. The receptacle 24 is shaped according to the projection of the anchor 44. Matching the flattening 441 of the anchor 44, the receptacles 24 each have flattenings 241. When the joint components 41, 42 are inserted into their respective receptacles 24, the flat surfaces of the flattenings 441 of the anchor 44 come into contact with the flat surfaces of the flattenings 241 of the receptacles. This prevents the joint components 41, 42 from rotating about the joint axis 43.

[0046] After inserting the joint parts 41, 42 into the corresponding receptacles 24, the second half 22c (in Fig. 4(not shown) of body part 2c are 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 attached therein. In the illustrated embodiment, one half of the receptacle 24 is arranged in each half 21c, 22c of body part 2c.

[0047] In the case of the shoulder 2c shown, the fastening is achieved by means of clamping edges on the inner edge of halves 21c and 22c. The half 22c, not shown, has a circumferential projection on its inner edge, which clamps against the inner edge of the half 21c shown. This mechanism is explained below using the following: Fig. 5 described.

[0048] Fig. 5 shows a finger joint 2f. Below is the assembled finger joint 2f shown. Above in Fig. 5The two halves 21f and 22f of the finger segment 2f are separated from each other. A clamping edge 25 can be seen on the circumferential inner edge of the lower half 21f, which engages in the inner side of the upper half 22f and exerts a clamping force to fasten the two halves 21f, 22f together.

[0049] Fig. 6 illustrates the left arm of toy figure 1 from Fig. 1 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 using Fig. 5 described.

[0050] Fig. 7 shows three exemplary adapter pieces 45 with differently sized joint sections. The adapter pieces 45 can, for example, be constructed similarly to the one in Fig. 5 shown finger joint 2f. A first adapter piece 45 in Fig. 7 The upper part combines a large ball joint 411a with a small socket joint 421b. A second adapter piece 45 is located in the middle of the Fig. 7 combines a large ball joint 411a with a large socket joint 421a. A third adapter piece 45 is located below. Fig. 7 combines a small articular head 411b with a large articular socket 421a.

[0051] The following are examples of toy figures 1, 10 in which, by using the adapter pieces 45, differently sized body parts 2, 20 were exchanged among themselves.

[0052] The toy figures 1 described here as an example of embodiment can in particular be offered as a kit which makes it possible to exchange and connect a large number of different body parts 2 of different toy figures of different sizes via joints 4 and / or adapter pieces 45, so that many different configurations of the toy figures can be assembled.

[0053] Figs. 8 and 9 Two different toy figures, 1 and 10, are shown as examples, whose body parts are interchangeable. For this purpose, the following are shown: Fig. 7 The adapter pieces shown (45) are used.

[0054] In Fig. 8 The left toy figure shows 1. Fig. 1 The left arm 20e of the second toy figure 10 is placed on the right side. The arm 20e of toy figure 10 was connected to the shoulder of toy figure 1 via an adapter piece 45.

[0055] The slightly smaller, lighter body parts 20 of the toy figure 10 have slightly smaller joint heads 411b, which 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.

[0056] In Fig. 9 The legs (2g, 20g) and arms (2e, 20e) of the two toy figures (1, 10) were exchanged. The connection is made using suitable adapter pieces (45), as described in Fig. 7 are shown. The body parts 20 of the second toy figure 10 were thus created via the in Fig. 7 The adapter 45 shown above is attached to the first toy figure 1.

[0057] 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 joints shown in Fig. 7The adapter pieces 45 shown below with the matching larger joint cups 421a. Thus, using the adapter pieces 45, a wide variety of combinations of body parts 2, 20 of the different Figure 1 Assemble 10.

[0058] 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 or types can be used. Since the ball joints 4 can be easily connected and disconnected, exchanging and combining body parts is particularly simple and can be done without damaging the parts.

[0059] The features disclosed in the foregoing description, the claims and the drawings can be important for the realization of the invention in its various embodiments, both individually and in any combination.

Claims

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 one another 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 plurality of body parts (2) consists of several components (21, 22); the anchor (44) is in each case arranged in a correspondingly shaped receptacle (24) of at least one body part (2), which is closed by assembling the components (21, 22).

2. The toy figure (1) according to claim 1, wherein the anchor (44) comprises a stopper (441) which prevents rotation around 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 comprise pins for attaching the components (21, 22) to each other.

5. Toy figure (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the receptacle (24) is designed to be 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 the first end and the second end is formed as a cylindrical pin.

7. Toy figure (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the joint socket (421) of the second joint part (42) comprises a notch (422), the size of which 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 formed as an annular cantilever perpendicular to the joint axis (43); and the receptacle (24) is a bushing with a cross-section corresponding to the cantilever (44), which forms a pivot bearing with the cantilever (44).

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

10. The 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. The toy figure (1) according to claim 10, wherein the coupling of the joint head (411) with or the uncoupling of 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 a plurality of 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.

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