Figurine

Abstract

A figurine 10 and a base 12, the figurine 10 being releasably attachable to the base. The figurine has a downwardly-facing surface 20 for abutting an upwardly-facing surface 14 of the base, a protrusi

Description

The present invention relates to a plastic toy figurine, and in particular to a figurine which can be removably attached to a base. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION 5 Plastic toy figurines of perhaps 20-100mm in height are known in a variety of contexts. For example, figurines can be used as playing pieces in tabletop games or board games, or used in imaginative play similar to dolls in dolls houses, or in a variety of other contexts. A figurine can be attached to a base so that it can stand up. The base may be a small 10 flat base which is associated with just one figurine (for example where the figurine is a playing piece in a game which needs to be free to move around a game board or playing area). Alternatively, the base may be a scene to which multiple figurines can be attached in various different positions. CXI 15 Figurines designed to be used by older children may include an element of selfassembly by gluing parts together. This may include gluing the figurine to a base. However, once the figurine is glued to the base it cannot be removed. This reduces flexibility. It would be advantageous to provide a releasable attachment to a base, for example so that the base can be changed to a different colour to indicate which team the figurine is part of in a game. 20 Where figurines are designed for younger children, requiring the use of glue is not desirable. Also, where figurines are to be arranged on a scene, it is desirable to be able to reposition the figurines on the scene, while retaining a secure fit when they are attached. Such figurines need to be made in bulk and at low cost, in order to provide them at a 25 price which is attractive to the customer. Typically they are made from moulded plastics. High-impact polystyrene is a widely used material due to its low cost and impact resistance. Examples of figurines attachable to bases include the figurine disclosed in GB2076342. In this disclosure a plug-and-socket arrangement is provided, with vertical 30 ribs to assist with locating the plug in the socket. However the figurine is not securely gripped onto the base and may fall over if subject to light force. US2014084542 discloses a figurine with resilient clips depending from the bottom of the figurine, and through an aperture in the base. These clips will provide for a more secure attachment. However, the clips are liable to be damaged with repeated use or rough handling. It is an object of the invention to provide a low-cost and easy to manufacture figurine and base which can be attached and detached from each other, suitable for use by 5 young children in creating imaginative scenes and / or playing games. It is an object of the invention to solve the problems with the prior art described above. STATEMENT OF INVENTION According to the present invention there is provided a figurine and a base, the figurine being releasably attachable to the base, 10 CXI 15 the figurine having a downwardly-facing surface for abutting an upwardly-facing surface of the base, a protrusion extending downwardly from the downwardly-facing surface, and a curved or tapered bulge at a lower end of the protrusion, in which the downwardly-facing surface of the figurine is on an extension below a main body of the figurine, and the base having an upwardly-facing surface for abutting the downwardly-facing surface of the figurine, an aperture through the base, the aperture being surrounded by the upwardly-facing surface, and resilient catches surrounding the aperture and depending downwardly from underneath the base, for retaining and securing the bulge of the protrusion below the catches. 20 In use, the protrusion of the figurine is inserted into and through the aperture in the base. The bulge at the lower end of the protrusion pushes outwardly apart the resilient catches which depend from the base. The resilient catches then snap back into place once the bulge has passed through the resilient catches. The resilient catches retain the bulge of the protrusion below the catches of the base. However, because the 25 protrusion tapers outwardly to the bulge, by applying force to pull the figurine upwards, away from the base, the resilient catches will be pushed apart to allow the figurine to be removed from the base. Preferably, the length of the protrusion between the downwardly-facing surface of the figurine and the upper extent of the taper into the bulge is slightly shorter than the 30 distance between the upper surface of the base and the lower extent of the resilient catches. Therefore, the bulge does not pass completely through the resilient catches, but sits in place with part of the taper in contact with the lower edge of the catches. In this way, as the catches tend to push inwardly, the bulge of the protrusion is pushed downwards, putting the protrusion in tension and forcing the abutting surfaces of the figurine and base towards each other. This provides for a positive and secure connection between the figurine and the base, even where manufacturing tolerances 5 mean that parts cannot be reliably made to exact dimensions. In some embodiments, the protrusion may be rotatable in the aperture. For example, the protrusion may be cylindrical or conical, so that once the figurine is inserted into the base it can be rotated. The friction between the abutting surfaces of the figurine and base provide some resistance to that rotation, and in embodiments the roughness 10 of the abutting surfaces can be tuned to provide an appropriate balance between ease of rotation, and a figurine that stays in place when not deliberately rotated. In other embodiments, the protrusion may have flat rather than curved vertical surfaces and will therefore be non-rotatable. 15 CXI 20 In some embodiments, the aperture may be in the form of a slot so that the protrusion can be slid along the length of the slot, to reposition the figurine on the base without releasing it from the base. As in the rotational embodiment, the tension on the protrusion caused by the action of the resilient catches on the taper of the bulge forces the abutting surfaces against each other, providing resistance to accidental sliding but allowing the figurine to be repositioned with light but deliberate force. The figurine and the base are preferably moulded from plastics. A mix of high impact polystyrene (HIPS) and styrene-butadiene copolymer (SBC) is found to provide a low-cost material which has sufficient flexibility to mould effective resilient catches. Preferably, at least 20% SBC is provided in the mixture, more preferably at least 25% SBC. 25 The catches in their relaxed position preferably define a tapered aperture through the base which is wider at the top of the base than at the bottom. Providing a tapered aperture firstly allows the base to be reliably moulded using a simple mould, and secondly provides for easier location and entry of the protrusion through the aperture to attach the figurine to the base. 30 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a figurine and base according to the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view from underneath of another figurine and base according to the invention; Figure 3 is a cross section through the figurine and base of Figure 1, with the figurine 5 detached from the base; Figure 4 is a cross section through the figurine and base of Figure 1, with the figurine attached to the base; and Figure 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a figurine and base according to the invention. 10 DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring firstly to Figure 1, a figurine 10 with a base 12 is shown. For the purposes of simplifying the illustration, the figurine 10 is shown as a cuboid, but it will be understood LO that in practice the figurine is likely to be shaped as a person, animal, plant, object, CXI gamepiece, etc. for the purpose of playing a game or creating a scene. Likewise, the LO 15 base 12 in this case is shown as a small square base, which might be suitable for example where the figurine is a gamepiece. However, in other embodiments the base may be part of a larger scene or game board, and may for example have multiple -j— levels, buildings, hills, etc. In this embodiment the base 12 has a flat upper surface 14, and “upper”, “lower”, “up”, 20 “down”, etc. will be understood in relation to the upper surface 14 in this embodiment. However, in other embodiments the upper surface may not always face directly upwards, or even upwards at all. For example in one embodiment the base 12 could be a globe with an “upper” surface facing in all directions, on which figurines can be placed and attached. 25 An aperture 16 is provided through the base, and a protrusion 18 extends downwardly from a lower surface of the figurine 10. In use, the protrusion 18 can be pushed through the aperture 16 and is held by resilient catches to retain and secure the figurine 10 to the base 12. The details of the protrusion 18 and the catches within the aperture 16 are described below with reference in particular to Figure 3 and Figure 4. 30 Once the figurine 10 of Figure 1 is inserted into the base 12, it is securely held in place. However, in this embodiment it can be easily rotated on the base. This is desirable in certain situations - for example, when the figurines 10 are used on a scenic base to create a scene, the figurines 10 can be rotated to different angles to further customise the scene. However, in some cases it is desirable to prevent rotation. Figure 2 shows another embodiment in which a simple mechanism is provided for fixing the figurine 10’ on the base 12’ not only in a particular position but also in a particular orientation. Quite simply two apertures 16’ are provided in the base, corresponding with two protrusions 18’ on the figurine 10’. Hence the figurine 10’ and base 12’, once attached to each other, become one part with no movement between the figurine 10’ and base 12’. 10 15 CXI The detail of the attachment mechanism between the figurine 10 and the base 12 can be seen clearly in the cross-sections of Figure 3 and Figure 4. The figurine 10 has a flat bottom surface 20 which, when the figurine 10 is attached the base 12, directly abuts the upper surface 14 of the base 12. In this embodiment, the flat bottom surface 20 of the figurine is on an extension 22 from below a main body 24 of the figurine 10, which assists with allowing a user to grip the figurine 10 to pull it away from the base 12. However, it is the flat bottom surface 20 which abuts the upper surface 14 of the base 12, which is important to the attachment mechanism. 20 25 30 The protrusion 18 depends below the flat bottom surface 20, with the flat bottom surface 20 surrounding the protrusion 18 on all sides. The protrusion in this embodiment is substantially frustoconical for the most part of its extent, tapering from a wide part where it joins the bottom surface 20 of the figurine, to a narrower width distant from the bottom surface 20. However, at the distal end of the protrusion 18 it widens again to form a bulge 26. The bulge in this case has a roughly spherical curve as it widens out, and then tapers back in again to a narrower width at the very bottom. Resilient catches 28 are provided in the form of extensions which depend from underneath the base 12, surrounding the aperture 16. The catches are cantilevered from a lower surface of the base, and are resiliently flexible outwardly to allow the bulge 26 at the end of the protrusion 18 to push apart the catches 28 and pass through. In Figure 4, the figurine 10 is shown attached to the base 12. The lower surface 20 of the figurine abuts the upper surface 14 of the base. Note that the lower extent of the resilient catches 28 is slightly below the point where the protrusion 18 starts to widen into the bulge 26. Therefore the catches 28 are held slightly apart by the top part of the bulge 26, and as they tend to want to recover to their natural position they apply a generally downward force to the protrusion 18. This presses the lower surface 20 of 14 05 25 the figurine 10 against the upper surface 14 of the base 12. The co-efficient of friction between these surfaces can be tuned (for example by making rough or smooth surfaces) and hence the ease with which the part can be rotated can be controlled. In any case, by holding the protrusion slightly in tension, the figurine is held firmly and 5 positively in place on the base 12. The base 12 is made from a mixture of high impact polystyrene (HIPS) (75%) and styrene-butadiene copolymer (SBC) (25%). This provides a good balance between low cost, resistance to damage, and an appropriate level of flexibility for the catches 28 to work well. The figurine 10 may be made from the same material, or alternatively may 10 be made from 100% HIPS for a lower material cost in high volume production. Figure 5 shows another embodiment of a figurine 10” and base 12”. The parts are the same as the embodiment shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4, except that the protrusion 18” has flat sides, and the aperture 16” is in the form of a slot. Therefore, the figurine 10” in this case cannot rotate once secured onto the base 12”. However, in other 15 embodiments the slot 16” could be made longer, and could be curved, to form a track along which the figurine 10” could be moved. The figurine according to the invention can be produced at low cost from moulded plastics. Tolerances in manufacture do not need to be very tight for the product to work effectively, which keeps the cost low. The figurine can easily be removed from the base 20 to place it on a different base, or in a different aperture on the same base. When the figurine is attached, it is held securely in place. In some embodiments, the figurine can be rotated or slid along a track. Figurines according to the invention can be used for example as pieces in table-top games or board games, or as characters in a scene for imaginative play or decoration. 25 The embodiments described above are provided by way of example only, and various changes and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A figurine and a base, the figurine being releasably attachable to the base,the figurine having a downwardly-facing surface for abutting an upwardly-facing surface of the base, a protrusion extending5 downwardly from the downwardly-facing surface, and a curved ortapered bulge at a lower end of the protrusion, in which the downwardly-facing surface of the figurine is on an extension below a main body of the figurine, andthe base having an upwardly-facing surface for abutting the1020downwardly-facing surface of the figurine, an aperture through the base, the aperture being surrounded by the upwardly-facing surface, and resilient catches surrounding the aperture and depending downwardly from underneath the base, for retaining and securing the bulge of the protrusion below the catches.

2. A figurine and base as claimed in claim 1, in which the length of the protrusion between the downwardly-facing surface of the figurine and the upper extent of the taper or curve into the bulge is shorter than the distance between the upper surface of the base and the lower extent of the resilient catches.

3. A figurine and base as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the protrusion is rotatable within the aperture, when inserted through the aperture.

4. A figurine and base as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the protrusion and aperture are shaped so as to prevent rotation of the protrusion within the aperture, when inserted through the aperture.

5. A figurine and base as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the 25 aperture is in the form of a slot.

6. A figurine and base as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the base is moulded from plastics.

7. A figurine and base as claimed in claim 6, in which the base is made from a mixture of high impact polystyrene (HIPS) and styrene-butadiene copolymer 30 (SBC).

8. A figurine and base as claimed in claim 7, in which the mix contains at least 20% SBC.

9. A figurine and base as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the resilient catches are formed integrally as one piece with the base.5 10. A figurine and base as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which thecatches define a tapered aperture through the base which is wider at the top of the base and narrower at the bottom.

11. A figurine and base as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the downwardly-facing surface of the figurine surrounds the protrusion.10 12. A figurine and base as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which a portionof the protrusion is frustoconical, tapering from a wide part where it joins the downwardly-facing surface to a narrower width distant from the downwardly-facing surface.14 05 25

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