Model bodies and model parts

Abstract

The present invention provides, for example, a new connecting part for connecting decorative parts in model toys. [Solution] This model body comprises a runner and a first part and a second part connected to the runner. When the first part and the second part are combined, a connecting part is formed which has multiple holes for connecting other parts.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In order to realize movements and postures similar to those of humans and animals, model toys include various joints and movable parts. Various postures can be realized by these mechanisms. In addition to the main body that realizes the above movements, model toys are further equipped with weapons, armor, skirts, etc. (hereinafter, these are collectively referred to as decorative parts). Since these decorative parts are attached in close contact with the main body, there is a risk of narrowing the movable range of the main body.

[0003] Patent Document 1 proposes a humanoid figure that complicates the movement of armor according to the movement of the limbs and gives the movement of the armor a sense of reality. In this humanoid figure, armor that covers a side different from the main body side is arranged on a limb portion connected to the main body via a joint mechanism, and the armor is rotatably connected to the upper body via a ball joint, and is further connected to the limb portion via a rotatable connection part. Thereby, armor that moves following the movement of the limb portion is realized.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the conventional technology described above, a dedicated connecting part is provided for a predetermined decorative part. However, there are many different types of decorative parts, and it would be beneficial if various decorative parts could be connected to a predetermined connecting part, or if multiple decorative parts could be connected. For example, if a model toy is equipped with many connecting parts from the beginning, it can accommodate various decorative parts, but in such a case, the appearance may be compromised, and a mechanism that allows for the expansion of connecting parts is desired. It is also conceivable to offer expandable connecting parts as an option, but providing them as one of the assembly parts of the model toy can enhance the sense of creativity and accomplishment.

[0006] The present invention provides, for example, a new connecting part for connecting decorative parts in a model toy. Furthermore, for another purpose, the present invention provides a new connecting part that can be assembled, for example, like other parts in a model toy. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention relates to, for example, a model body comprising a runner and a first part and a second part connected to the runner, wherein when the first part and the second part are combined, a connecting part is formed which has a plurality of holes for connecting other parts.

[0008] Furthermore, the present invention relates to, for example, a model part connected to a runner, comprising a first part and a second part connected to the runner, wherein when the first part and the second part are combined, a connecting part is formed which has a plurality of holes for connecting other parts. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, for example, it is possible to provide a new connecting part for connecting decorative parts in a model toy. Furthermore, according to the present invention, for example, it is possible to provide a new connecting part that can be assembled like other parts in a model toy. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1A] A diagram showing an example of the appearance of a model toy according to one embodiment. [Figure 1B] A diagram showing an example of the external appearance of a model body according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] A diagram showing assembly process 1 of model parts according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] A diagram showing assembly process 2 of a model part according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 1 showing an example of the use of a model part according to one embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 2 shows an example of using a model part according to one embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] 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.

[0012] <Appearance of the model toy> Referring to Figure 1A, an example of the external configuration of the model toy 100 according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 1A(a) shows the front view of the model toy 100, and Figure 1A(b) shows the rear 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.

[0013] The model toy 100 comprises a head 101, an upper body 102, arms 103a, 103b, a waist 104, legs 105a, 105b, and a connecting part 106, which constitute the main body. In this embodiment, a humanoid robot is described 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.

[0014] The head 101 is rotatably connected to the upper body 102. The right arm 103b and the left arm 103a are further connected to the upper body 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.

[0015] Furthermore, the model toy 100 according to this embodiment is provided with a connecting portion 106 on its back. The connecting portion 106 according to this embodiment has two holes. A connecting part 200, to which decorative parts such as weapons and armor are connected, is connected. The connecting part has multiple surfaces, and at least one hole is formed on each surface. In other words, the connecting part 200 is a part for expanding the limited number of holes formed in the model toy 100, and can connect various decorative parts compared to the directly formed connecting portion 106 on the model toy 100. In this embodiment, an example in which the connecting portion 106 is formed on the back of the model toy 100 is described, but there is no intention to limit the present invention, and it may be formed at any position on the model toy 100.

[0016] <Composition of the model base (runner)> Referring to Figure 1B, an example of the configuration of the model body according to this embodiment will be described. The x, y, and z arrows indicate the upward, left, and forward directions, respectively, of the model body in which multiple parts are connected to a runner. Here, a runner refers to a plastic rod-shaped part in model toys such as plastic models, on which multiple parts are connected and arranged to surround each other before assembly. In some cases, the entire runner, including the connected parts, is also referred to as the runner. Here, the entire runner including multiple parts is referred to as the "model body."

[0017] The model body 110 shown in FIG. 1B shows a model body to which a plurality of parts are connected. The model body 110 may be formed in a single color or in multiple colors. The model body 110 has a runner 111, a gate 112, and parts 113, and further includes first parts 201a, b and second parts 202a, b for assembling a connecting part 200 which is a model part. Thus, according to the present embodiment, the first parts 201a, b and the second parts 202a, b for assembling the connecting part 200 are provided connected to the same model body 110 as other parts of the model toy 100. That is, in the present invention, the connecting part 200 is not provided separately from the model toy 100 as an option or the like, but is provided as a part included in the model toy 100, and the complication of the manufacturing process can be prevented. Furthermore, the connecting part 200 is not provided in a completed state, but is provided as a plurality of parts, so that assembly is required, and the sense of creativity and accomplishment of the person assembling the model toy 100 can be improved.

[0018] As shown in the first parts 201a, b and the second parts 202a, b, two parts are connected to the model body 110 respectively. The first parts 201a, b have the same shape as each other and can be combined. The second parts 202a, b also have the same shape as each other and can be combined. Thus, according to the present embodiment, the same parts can be combined to assemble the connecting part 200. Thereby, at least for the same parts, the same mold can be used for the mold when forming the model body, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[0019] <Configuration of the connecting part> Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the configuration of the connecting part 200 which is a model part of the model toy 100 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIGS. 2 and 3 are perspective views of the respective parts constituting the connecting part 200 and show the state of the assembly process of the connecting part 200.

[0020] The first parts 201a, b and the second parts 202a, b that constitute the connecting part 200, which is a model part, are provided in a state connected to the model body 110. FIG. 2 shows how the first parts 201a, b removed from the runner 111 are assembled. Each of the first parts 201a, b is configured to include hollow cylindrical portions 211 to 213 and fitting portions 214. Hole portions are formed in each of the cylindrical portions 211 to 213.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, the first parts 201a, b are combined in the direction of the arrow in the figure with each cylindrical portion facing a different direction. When being combined, the fitting portions 214 of the first parts 201a, b are fitted to each other for combination. In the present embodiment, by combining the cylindrical portions facing different directions, when the rectangular parallelepiped connecting part 200 is completed, the hole portions formed in each cylindrical portion are arranged so as to face each of the six surfaces. Note that there is no intention to limit the present invention, and connecting parts of other forms may be formed. For example, it may be configured such that a plurality of hole portions are provided on one surface, or a configuration in which no hole portion is formed on at least one of the six surfaces may be adopted. In the present embodiment, each of the first parts 201a, b includes three cylindrical portions, but for example, each may be formed to have two cylindrical portions. In this case, four hole portions will be formed in the connecting part when assembled.

[0022] FIG. 3 shows how the second parts 202a, b are combined with the third part 210 formed by combining the first parts 201a, b. As shown in FIG. 3, the third part 210 has cylindrical portions in six directions. In contrast, the second parts 202a, b are connected so as to sandwich the third part 210 from the vertical direction in the figure.

[0023] Here, as shown in Figure 3, the second parts 202a and 202b each have two protrusions 221a and 221b and two recesses 222a and 222b. The second parts 202a and 202b are fitted together such that their respective protrusions and recesses interlock. Specifically, the protrusions 221a and 221b of the second part 202a are fitted into the recesses 222a and 222b of the second part 202b, and the recesses 222a and 222b of the second part 202a are fitted into the protrusions 221a and 221b of the second part 202b. In this way, the second parts 202a and 202b according to this embodiment are formed to each have protrusions and recesses. This allows parts of the same shape to be fitted together and combined by shifting the positions of the protrusions and recesses of each other.

[0024] <Connecting function of connecting parts> Referring to Figure 4, the connecting function of the connecting part 200 according to this embodiment will be explained. Figure 4 shows how the connecting terminal 310 is connected to the connecting part 200.

[0025] The connecting part 200 is formed in a block shape (rectangular parallelepiped) including multiple holes 301a to 301c. Holes are also formed on faces not shown, and in this embodiment, they are formed on all six faces. However, there is no intention to limit the connecting part of the present invention to a block shape, and it may be formed in other shapes such as a sphere or a triangular prism. Furthermore, although this embodiment describes a configuration in which one hole is formed on one face, this is not limited to the present invention, and multiple holes may be formed on each face. Also, the number of holes formed on each face may differ. In addition, as described above, when the connecting part is in the shape of a polyhedron, holes may not be formed on at least one face.

[0026] As shown in Figure 4(a), a connecting terminal 310 is connected to the hole 301 of the connecting part 200. The connecting terminal 310 is composed of connecting parts 311 and 313 and a disc part 312. The connecting parts 311 and 313 are formed in a cylindrical shape at both ends, with one end inserted into the hole 301 of the connecting part 200 and the other end inserted into a hole formed in the model toy body or decorative part. The disc part 312 has a radius longer than the radii of the connecting parts 311 and 313 and is formed between the connecting parts 311 and 313.

[0027] The hole 301 is formed by a recess that receives the disc portion 312, and a cylindrical hole at the back of the recess that receives the connecting portions 311 and 313. Therefore, as shown in Figure 4(b), the connecting terminal 310 connected to the connecting part 200 is fitted so that the disc portion 312 fits into the recess formed in the hole 301c, and the connecting portion 311 is inserted into the hole formed at the back of the recess. In the state shown in Figure 4(b), the other end of the connecting terminal 310 has a connecting portion 313 exposed. This connecting portion 313 is connected to a hole formed in the main body or decorative part of the model toy 100, and the model toy 100 and the decorative part can be connected by using the two connecting terminals.

[0028] <Examples of connecting parts usage> An example of how to use the connecting parts according to this embodiment will be explained with reference to Figures 1A(b) and 5. Figure 5 shows the front view of the model toy 500.

[0029] As described above, the connecting part 200 according to this embodiment can function as a part for connecting decorative parts, as shown in Figure 1A(b). It is also possible to directly connect the decorative parts to the connecting part 106 of the model toy 100, but since the connecting part 106 faces the main body of the model toy 100, there is little spatial space for the decorative parts to be positioned. On the other hand, by using the connecting part, spatial space can be secured, and furthermore, a hole suitable for the shape of the decorative part to be connected can be selected and used from among the multiple holes.

[0030] Figure 5 shows a model toy 500 in which connecting parts 501a and 501b are used as elbow joints of arms 103a and 103b, respectively. Thus, according to the present invention, connecting parts can also be used as joints that connect two parts. Not limited to this embodiment, connecting parts may also be used as other joints such as knee joints, neck joints, and hip joints. Here, a description has been given of a form in which connecting parts are incorporated as joints, but connecting parts may also be incorporated as one of the parts that make up a model toy other than joints. For example, connecting parts may be incorporated as at least a part of the torso or waist, or as a part other than a joint, such as the head, neck, hands and feet, wrists, ankles, part of an arm, or part of a leg. Connecting parts may also be incorporated as part of an ornament. For example, they may be incorporated as part of a weapon or armor. In addition, multiple connecting parts may be connected to form at least a part of an arm or leg.

[0031] As described above, the model body according to this embodiment is a model body comprising a runner and a first part and a second part connected to the runner, and when the first part and the second part are combined, a connecting part is formed which has a plurality of holes for connecting other parts. According to the present invention, for example, a new connecting part for connecting decorative parts in a model toy can be provided. Furthermore, the present invention can provide a new connecting part that can be assembled in the same way as other parts in a model toy, for example.

[0032] <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. Also, although the above embodiments were described using a detachable model part (connecting part) attached to the back of the model toy as an example, there is no intention to limit the parts or positions to which the model toy is attached. For example, it may be part of other clothing parts, armor parts, weapon parts, etc.

[0033] <Summary of Embodiments> The above embodiments disclose at least the following model body and model parts. (1) It is a model base, Runners, The first and second parts connected to the runner Equipped with, A model body in which, when the first part and the second part are combined, a connecting part is formed having multiple holes for connecting other parts. (2) The first part and the second part are each provided in pairs on the model body. By combining the two first parts, a third part having the plurality of holes is formed. The model body according to (1), wherein the connecting part is formed by combining the two aforementioned second parts so as to sandwich the aforementioned third part. (3) The aforementioned connecting part is formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. The model body according to (1) or (2), wherein at least one hole is formed on each face of the rectangular parallelepiped. (4) The second part has a convex portion and a concave portion, The model body according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the two aforementioned second parts are assembled together by the fitting of a convex portion of one of the aforementioned second parts with a concave portion of the other aforementioned second part, and the fitting of a concave portion of one of the aforementioned second parts with a convex portion of the other aforementioned second part. (5) The aforementioned connecting part is connected to the model toy body via connecting terminals having cylindrical connecting parts at both ends, as described in any one of (1) to (4). (6) The model body according to (5), wherein one connecting portion of the connecting terminal is inserted into a hole formed in the model toy body, and the other connecting portion is inserted into any of the plurality of holes formed in the connecting part. (7) The model body according to (5) or (6), wherein the connecting part, which is connected to the model toy body via the connecting terminal, has decorative parts connected to it via other connecting terminals. (8) The aforementioned connecting part functions as one part incorporated into a model toy, as described in (5). (9) A model body according to any one of (1) to (8), further comprising other parts connected to the aforementioned runner. (10) Model parts that are connected to the runner, The first and second parts connected to the runner Equipped with, A model part in which, when the first part and the second part are combined, a connecting part is formed having multiple holes for connecting other parts. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0034] 100, 600: Model toy, 101: Head, 102: Upper body, 103a, 103b: Arms, 104: Waist, 105a, 105b: Legs, 106: Connecting part, 110: Model body, 111: Runner, 112: Gate, 113: Parts, 200, 501a, 501b: Connecting parts, 201a, b: First part, 202a, b: Second part, 210: Third part, 221a, b: Protrusion, 222a, b: Recess, 310: Connecting terminal, 311, 313: Connection part, 312: Disc part

Claims

1. It is a model base, Runners, The first and second parts connected to the runner Equipped with, A model body in which, when the first part and the second part are combined, a connecting part is formed having multiple holes for connecting other parts.

2. Two of each of the first and second parts are provided on the model body. By combining the two first parts, the third part having the plurality of holes is formed. The model body according to claim 1, wherein the connecting part is formed by combining the two second parts so as to sandwich the third part.

3. The aforementioned connecting part is formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. The model body according to claim 2, wherein at least one hole is formed on each face of the rectangular parallelepiped.

4. The second part has a convex portion and a concave portion, The model body according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the two second parts are assembled together by the fitting of a convex portion of one second part with a concave portion of the other second part, and the fitting of a concave portion of one second part with a convex portion of the other second part.

5. The model body according to claim 4, wherein the connecting part is connected to the model toy body via connecting terminals having cylindrical connecting parts at both ends.

6. The model body according to claim 5, wherein one connecting portion of the connecting terminal is inserted into a hole formed in the model toy body, and the other connecting portion is inserted into any of the plurality of holes formed in the connecting part.

7. The model body according to claim 6, wherein a decorative part is connected to the connecting part, which is connected to the model toy body via the connecting terminal, via other connecting terminals.

8. The model body according to claim 5, wherein the connecting part functions as one part incorporated into a model toy.

9. The model body according to claim 4, further comprising other parts connected to the aforementioned runner.

10. Model parts that are connected to the runner, The first and second parts connected to the runner Equipped with, A model part in which, when the first part and the second part are combined, a connecting part is formed having multiple holes for connecting other parts.

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