Model toys and model parts

Abstract

This invention provides a novel mechanism for realizing a movable mechanism that operates in a natural manner, for example, in model toys. [Solution] The model toy (100) comprises a base part (201) having a first groove (311a) at one end and a second groove (311b) at the other end; a first part (202a) having a first connecting part (322a) to which the first connecting part is slidably connected to the first groove; and a second part (202b) having a second connecting part (322b) to which the second connecting part is slidably connected to the second groove. The first and second parts are rotatably connected to other parts (105a, 105b) of the model toy, and each is individually slidable relative to the base part.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to model toys and model parts.

Background Art

[0002] In humanoid toys (model toys), it is required to realize natural movements and various postures. Therefore, in order to realize movements and postures similar to those of humans and animals, humanoid toys include a plurality of joints and movable parts. In Patent Document 1, a quadruped humanoid having a joint structure that enables realistic movements similar to those of real animals has been proposed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above prior art, various joints are included to realize various movements. Each joint is composed of a plurality of parts. With these joints, various movements and postures can be realized by the rotation of the upper body, arms, legs, etc. of the humanoid body connected to the joint. However, if the joint itself has a movable mechanism, more diverse and natural movements can be realized.

[0005] The present invention provides, for example, a novel mechanism for realizing a movable mechanism that operates with a natural impression in a model toy.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention relates to, for example, a model toy, comprising: a base part having a first groove at one end and a second groove at the other end; a first part having a first connecting portion, the first connecting portion being slidably connected to the first groove; and a second part having a second connecting portion, the second connecting portion being slidably connected to the second groove, wherein the first part and the second part are rotatably connected to other parts of the model toy, and each is individually slidable relative to the base part.

[0007] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a model part incorporated into a model toy, for example, comprising: a base part having a first groove at one end and a second groove at the other end; a first part having a first connecting portion, the first connecting portion being slidably connected to the first groove; and a second part having a second connecting portion, the second connecting portion being slidably connected to the second groove, wherein the first part and the second part are rotatably connected to other parts of the model toy, and are individually slidable relative to the base part. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, a novel mechanism for movable parts in model toys can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] A diagram showing an example of the front view of a model toy according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] A diagram showing an exploded perspective view of the waist region according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] A diagram showing the assembly configuration of a hip joint according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] A diagram showing the assembly configuration around the hip joint according to one embodiment. [Figure 5] A diagram showing the sliding motion of the hip joint according to one embodiment. [Figure 6] A diagram showing the action-based configuration according to one embodiment. [Figure 7] A diagram showing a kneeling posture of a model toy according to one embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention as defined in the claims, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential to the invention. Two or more of the features described in the embodiments may be combined arbitrarily. Furthermore, identical or similar configurations will be given the same reference numeral, and redundant descriptions will be omitted.

[0011] <Appearance of the model toy> First, with reference to Figure 1, an example of the external configuration of the model toy 100 according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 1 shows the front view of the model toy 100. The x, y, and z arrows indicate the upward, left, and forward directions of the model toy, respectively, and the same applies to the other drawings.

[0012] The model toy 100 comprises a head 101, a chest 102 (shown by the dotted line area), arms 103a and 103b, a waist 104, and legs 105a and 105b, which constitute the main body. In this embodiment, a humanoid robot is used as an example of a model toy, but there is no intention to limit the present invention, and the present invention can be applied to various models such as people, animals, robots, insects, dinosaurs, weapons, ornaments, etc.

[0013] The head 101 is rotatably connected to the chest 102. The right arm 103b and the left arm 103a are further connected to the chest 102 at the sides by connecting members, and the waist 104 is connected at the bottom. The waist 104 includes a hip joint, to which the right leg 105b and the left leg 105a are rotatably connected.

[0014] <Composition of the lumbar region> Referring to Figure 2, the configuration of the waist portion 104 of the model toy 100 according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 2(a) shows the front view of the model toy 100. Figure 2(b) shows an exploded perspective view of the waist portion 104. Since Figure 2(a) is the same drawing as Figure 1, its explanation will be omitted.

[0015] As shown in Fig. 2(b), the waist portion 104 is composed of parts 201 to 209. Part 201 is the base part of the hip joint. The detailed configuration will be described later. Parts 202a and 202b are slidably connected to part 201. Parts 203a and 203b are rotatably connected to parts 202a and 202b respectively. Parts 203a and 203b are parts of a part of the leg portions 105a and 105b. In addition, the connecting portion formed on the back surface of part 201 is connected to part 208. Further, part 207, which is a part on the front of the waist, is rotatably connected to part 201.

[0016] Part 208 is a part on the back side of the waist, and in addition to part 201, part 204 is also connected. Part 204 forms a lumbar joint, and part 209 is connected to the spherical connecting portion formed on the upper part, and further, the lower part of the chest 102 is rotatably connected. Part 204 further has gripping portions on both side surfaces. Parts 205a and 205b are rotatably connected to the respective gripping portions. Parts 206a and 206b, which are exterior parts on the side surfaces of the waist portion 104, are respectively connected to parts 205a and 205b.

[0017] <Configuration of the hip joint> Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, the configuration of the hip joint of the model toy 100 according to the present embodiment will be described. Fig. 3(a) shows an exploded perspective view of parts 201, 202a, and 202b. Fig. 3(b) shows a perspective view of the assembled state of parts 201, 202a, and 202b. Fig. 4(a) shows a plan view of the assembled state of parts 201, 202a, and 202b. Fig. 4(b) shows a bottom view of the assembled state of parts 201, 202a, and 202b.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 3(a), the part 201 includes groove portions 311a, 311b, and connecting portions 312, 313. The groove portions 311a, 311b respectively correspond to the first groove portion and the second groove portion, and are formed on both side surfaces in the left - right direction. The groove portions 311a, 311b are groove portions for receiving the parts 202a, 202b, and are formed as convex - character - shaped grooves according to the shape of the connecting portion (convex - character shape) of the parts 202a, 202b. Note that the convex - character shape can also be expressed as a T - shape. That is, the groove portions 311a, 311b are formed so as to contact each wall surface of the convex - character shape of the connecting portion of the parts 202a, 202b. Thereby, the holding force of the leg portions 105a, 105b connected to the parts 202a, 202b can be enhanced. In other words, the parts 202a, 202b do not slide with respect to the part 201 without applying a certain amount of force, and the posture of the model toy 100 can be stabilized.

[0019] Also, on the bottom of the groove portions 311a, 311b, regulation portions 314a, 314b for preventing the parts 202a, 202b from coming off are formed. By providing the regulation portions 314a, 314b, the groove portions 311a, 311b are not formed as through - holes in the up - down direction, and the parts 202a, 202b can be received from the lower side. This prevents the legs from falling off from the hip joints and also prevents the hip joint part from dropping unnaturally.

[0020] The connecting portions 312, 313 are formed in a cylindrical shape at both ends in the front - rear direction of the hip joint. A part 207, which is an exterior part on the front surface of the waist portion 104, is rotatably connected to the connecting portion 312. Note that the part 207 may be formed by a plurality of parts. A part 208, which is an exterior part on the rear surface of the waist portion 104, is connected to the connecting portion 313.

[0021] Connecting portions 321a, 322a are formed on the part 202a. The connecting portion 321a is formed in a convex - character shape and is slidably connected to the groove portion 311a of the part 201 as shown by the dotted - line arrow. The connecting portion 322a is a cylindrical connecting portion, and the leg portion 105a is rotatably connected thereto.

[0022] Part 202b has connecting portions 321b and 322b formed thereon. Connecting portion 321b is formed in a convex shape and is slidably connected to the groove portion 311b of part 201, as shown by the dotted arrow. Connecting portion 322a is a cylindrical connecting portion and the leg portion 105b is rotatably connected to it.

[0023] Figure 3(b) shows parts 202a and 202b slidably connected to part 201. As indicated by the arrows, parts 202a and 202b can slide vertically while connected. Furthermore, since restricting portions 314a and 314b are formed at the bottom of grooves 311a and 311b, parts 202a and 202b are inserted from above and received at the bottom.

[0024] Figure 4(a) shows a plan view of the hip joint assembled from parts 201 to 202b. On the outside of the grooves 311a and 311b, there are gripping parts 315a for gripping the first part, part 202a, and gripping parts 315b for gripping the second part, part 202b. The gripping parts 315a and 315b are intended to increase the contact area with the parts 202a and 202b in order to increase the holding force of the parts. By increasing the holding force, the leg can be held in the desired position, and a stable posture can be achieved. To further enhance this function, the gripping parts 315a and 315b each have two tip protrusions, as shown by the dotted circles. The tip protrusions engage with notches formed in the parts 202a and 202b, respectively. This further increases the contact area and enhances the holding force.

[0025] Thus, in order to increase the holding force, it is necessary to increase the contact area between part 201 and parts 202a and 202b, and one possible method is to increase the size of the connecting parts 321a and 321b. However, increasing the size of the connecting parts 321a and 321b in this way leads to an increase in the size of the parts, and the hip joint itself becomes larger. On the other hand, according to this embodiment, it is possible to increase the contact area and increase the holding force while suppressing the increase in the size of the parts. In other words, according to this embodiment, it is possible to achieve miniaturization of the parts while maintaining the holding force.

[0026] Figure 4(b) shows the bottom surface of the hip joint assembled from parts 201-202b. The area 316 enclosed by the dotted line frame indicates the bearing portion that receives a support member called an action base for supporting the model toy 100. The bearing portion 316 is a rectangular recess, and the shaft portion of the support member can be received in this portion. As shown in Figure 4(b), the bearing portion 316 is located in the center of the hip joint. This enables miniaturization of the parts. For example, if the bearing portion were placed outside the center of the hip joint, the size of the hip joint would increase accordingly, leading to an overall increase in the size of the model toy 100. In addition, by placing the bearing portion 316 in the center of the hip joint, the stability when the model toy 100 is supported by the support member can be increased.

[0027] <Assembly structure around the hip joint> Referring to Figure 5, the assembly configuration around the hip joint of the model toy 100 according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 5 shows an exploded perspective view of the hip joint area. Parts 201 and 202a and 202b are shown in their assembled state as hip joint parts. Note that the hip joint has already been described, so the explanation will be omitted here.

[0028] Part 204 is a component of the waist joint and comprises connecting parts 341, 343, 344 and gripping parts 342a, 342b. Connecting part 341 is spherical in shape and rotatably connects to the lower part of the chest 102. Part 207, which is the front exterior part of the waist 104, is connected to connecting part 343. Parts 205a and 205b are rotatably connected to gripping parts 342a and 342b, respectively. Parts 206a and 206b, which are the side exterior parts of the waist 104, are connected to each of the parts 205a and 205b. Therefore, parts 206a and 206b can rotate together with parts 205a and 205b. This rotation expands the range of motion of the legs 105a and 105b.

[0029] Part 208 is a component that forms the outer casing of the back of the waist 104 and has recesses 381, 382, ​​and 383 on its front. Recesses 381 and 382 are connected to a connecting portion 344 formed on the back of part 204 and a connecting portion (not shown) formed below the connecting portion 341, respectively. Recess 383 is rotatably connected to a connecting portion 313 of the hip joint part 201. Therefore, the legs 105a and 105b can have a wider range of motion due to the rotational movement of the hip joint and the sliding movement described later. For example, these movable mechanisms make it possible to achieve a natural kneeling posture, as described later.

[0030] <Sliding motion of the hip joint> Referring to Figure 6, the sliding movement of the hip joint in the model toy 100 according to this embodiment will be explained. Figures 6(a) to (c) show perspective views of the hip joint in the assembled state of parts 201 to 202b of the model toy 100.

[0031] Figure 6(a) shows the hip joint parts 202a and 202b in the upper position. It should be noted that this invention is not intended to limit the present invention, and the parts may be made to slide further upward. In this case, it is desirable to further increase the contact area with part 201 to enhance the holding force. Parts 202a and 202b are slidable vertically as indicated by the arrows.

[0032] Figure 6(b) shows part 202b slid downward. Figure 6(c) shows part 202a slid further downward from the state in Figure 6(b). Thus, parts 202a and 202b can be individually slid up and down. This allows for a variety of poses to be achieved in the model toy 100. For example, a kneeling pose or a pose with one leg raised high can be achieved.

[0033] <Kneeling position> Referring to Figure 7, the kneeling posture of the model toy 100 according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 7 shows a side view of the model toy 100.

[0034] As shown in Figure 7, the toy model 100 can achieve a natural kneeling posture by utilizing the sliding movement of the hip joint. In Figure 7, the connecting parts 322a and 322b of parts 202a and 202b located inside the waist 104 are shown by dotted circles. As illustrated, the connecting parts 322a and 322b are in different positions in the vertical direction, which allows for a more natural representation of the movement of the hip joint in a kneeling posture. This is achieved by the sliding movement of the hip joint described above.

[0035] As described above, the model toy (100) according to this embodiment comprises a base part (201) having a first groove (311a) at one end and a second groove (311b) at the other end; a first part (202a) having a first connecting part (322a) to which the first connecting part is slidably connected to the first groove; and a second part (202b) having a second connecting part (322b) to which the second connecting part is slidably connected to the second groove. The first and second parts are rotatably connected to other parts (105a, 105b) of the model toy, and each is individually slidable relative to the base part. Thus, according to this embodiment, a novel mechanism can be provided that realizes a movable mechanism that operates with a natural impression in a model toy.

[0036] <Variation> The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and changes are possible 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 people, animals, robots, insects, dinosaurs, etc. In addition, the above embodiments described the form of the hip joint sliding mechanism to which the leg parts 201 to 202b are connected. However, there is no intention to limit the present invention, and these mechanisms may be used in other parts. For example, they may be applied to the chest joint (shoulder joint) to which the arm is connected.

[0037] <Summary of Embodiments> The above embodiments disclose at least the following model toys and model parts. (1) It is a model toy, A base part having a first groove at one end and a second groove at the other end, A first part having a first connecting portion, the first connecting portion being slidably connected to the first groove, A second part having a second connecting portion, the second connecting portion being slidably connected to the second groove, Equipped with, The first part and the second part are, The other parts of the aforementioned model toy are each rotatably connected, A model toy characterized in that each part can slide individually relative to the base part. (2) The first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are formed in a convex shape, The model toy according to (1), characterized in that the first groove and the second groove are formed to abut against the respective convex-shaped wall surfaces of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion. (3) The model toy according to (1) or (2), characterized in that at least a portion of the bottom of the first groove and the second groove has a restricting portion that limits the removal of the first part and the second part. (4) The aforementioned base part further, A first gripping portion for gripping the first part is located on the outside of the first groove, A second gripping portion for gripping the second part is located on the outside of the second groove. A model toy according to any one of (1) to (3), further characterized by having the following: (5) The model toy according to (4), characterized in that the first part and the second part each have notches for receiving the tip projections of the first gripping part and the second gripping part. (6) The base part, the first part, and the second part form the hip joint of the toy model. The model toy according to any one of (1) to (5), characterized in that the legs of the model toy are rotatably connected to the first part and the second part, respectively, as other parts. (7) The aforementioned base part is, The first groove and the second groove are formed at both ends in the left-right direction, A model toy according to any one of (1) to (6), characterized in that cylindrical connecting parts are formed at both ends in the front-to-back direction. (8) The model toy according to (7), characterized in that the exterior waist part of the model toy is rotatably connected to each of the cylindrical connecting parts. (9) The model toy according to any one of (1) to (8), characterized in that the base part has a bearing portion in the center of its bottom surface for receiving a support member that supports the model toy. (10) Model parts that are incorporated into model toys, A base part having a first groove at one end and a second groove at the other end, A first part having a first connecting portion, the first connecting portion being slidably connected to the first groove, A second part having a second connecting portion, the second connecting portion being slidably connected to the second groove, Equipped with, The first part and the second part are, The other parts of the aforementioned model toy are each rotatably connected, Model parts characterized by being individually slidable relative to the base part. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0038] 100: Model toy, 101: Head, 102: Chest, 103a, 103b: Arms, 104: Waist, 105a, 105b: Legs

Claims

1. It is a model toy, A base part having a first groove at one end and a second groove at the other end, A first part having a first connecting portion, the first connecting portion being slidably connected to the first groove, A second part having a second connecting portion, the second connecting portion being slidably connected to the second groove, Equipped with, The first part and the second part are, The other parts of the aforementioned model toy are each rotatably connected, A model toy characterized in that each part can slide individually relative to the base part.

2. The first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are formed in a convex shape, The model toy according to claim 1, characterized in that the first groove and the second groove are formed to abut against the respective convex-shaped wall surfaces of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion.

3. The model toy according to claim 2, characterized in that at least a portion of the bottom of the first groove and the second groove has a restricting portion that limits the removal of the first part and the second part.

4. The aforementioned base part further, A first gripping portion for gripping the first part is located on the outside of the first groove, A second gripping portion for gripping the second part is located on the outside of the second groove. The model toy according to claim 3, further comprising

5. The model toy according to claim 4, characterized in that the first part and the second part each have notches for receiving the tip projections of the first gripping part and the second gripping part.

6. The base part, the first part, and the second part form the hip joint of the toy model. The model toy according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the legs of the model toy are rotatably connected to the first part and the second part as other parts.

7. The aforementioned base part is, The first groove and the second groove are formed at both ends in the left-right direction, The model toy according to claim 6, characterized in that cylindrical connecting parts are formed at both ends in the front-to-back direction.

8. The model toy according to claim 7, characterized in that the exterior waist parts of the model toy are rotatably connected to each of the cylindrical connecting parts.

9. The model toy according to claim 6, characterized in that the base part has a bearing portion in the center of its bottom surface for receiving a support member that supports the model toy.

10. Model parts that are incorporated into model toys, A base part having a first groove at one end and a second groove at the other end, A first part having a first connecting portion, the first connecting portion being slidably connected to the first groove, A second part having a second connecting portion, the second connecting portion being slidably connected to the second groove, Equipped with, The first part and the second part are, The other parts of the aforementioned model toy are each rotatably connected, Model parts characterized by being individually slidable relative to the base part.

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