Movable Structure and Toy

Abstract

To provide a movable structure that can be bent and can be extended and contracted.SOLUTION: A movable structure 14 constitutes a part of an arm 5 of a humanoid toy, and is provided with: a column-shaped shell group 20 in which hollow shells (a first-type hollow shell 21, second-type hollow shells 22, and a third-type hollow shell 23) each having a joint support section into which a roll pin joint 53L is fitted are arranged in a column; and a link group 50 that is disposed in an internal space formed by communication between inside parts of the hollow shells, and that maintains the arrangement of the column-shaped shell group 20 by supporting every other joint (first type joint 51 or second type joint 52) on the joint support section 25 in the order in which the hollow shells are arranged. The movable structure 14 enables the column-shaped shell group 20 to be bent and be extended and contracted because of the movability of the link group 50.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a movable structure of a toy and the like.

Background Art

[0002] As an example of a toy having a movable part, a humanoid figure that can take various poses like a human is known. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a toy that can be enjoyed by moving the movable part.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Among humanoid figures with movable parts, particularly popular are those that reproduce characters such as transforming heroes, soldiers, large humanoid robots, etc. (hereinafter collectively referred to as "original works") that appear in manga, anime, tokusatsu movies, games, novels, etc.

[0005] When a user purchases a humanoid figure of a character that appears in an original work, they always want to pose it in exactly the same pose as seen in the original work. However, in order to make the humanoid figure of the character that appears in the original work pose as in the original work, the range of motion of the movable part is often narrow, and the reproduction of the pose is often incomplete. From the user's perspective, due to the insufficient flexibility of the movable part, it is often impossible to get close to the pose of the original work, and they may feel disappointed.

[0006] In particular, when the character in the original work has a design with a movable part that can be bent and stretched, a movable part that can be bent and stretched while maintaining a certain pose has not been realized at the toy level.

[0007] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a technology for realizing a movable structure that can be bent and can be expanded and contracted.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0008] An aspect of the present invention is a movable structure that is a predetermined part of a toy, including a columnar outer shell group in which hollow outer shells having joint support parts are arranged in a row, and an internal space formed by communicating the interiors of the hollow outer shells. A link group is disposed in the internal space, and at least every other joint is supported by the joint support part in the arrangement order of the hollow outer shells to hold the arrangement of the columnar outer shell group. The movable structure is capable of expanding, contracting, and bending the columnar outer shell group by the movement of the link group. Another aspect of the present invention is a movable structure that is a predetermined part of a toy, comprising: a plurality of hollow outer shells having an internal space formed by internal communication; and a link group that is a connected body of a plurality of link members disposed in the internal space. The hollow outer shell is a cylindrical body having an outer dimension on the other end side larger than that on one end side. The plurality of hollow outer shells are arranged such that one end side of one adjacent hollow outer shell is loosely fitted into the other end side of the other hollow outer shell. The movable structure is configured such that, by the movement of the link members of the link group, the plurality of hollow outer shells can move in the expansion / contraction direction and the bending direction.

[0009] Further, the hollow outer shell is a cylindrical body in which the dimension of the internal space on the other end side is larger than the outer dimension on one end side, and in the columnar outer shell group, one end side of one adjacent hollow outer shell is loosely fitted to the other end side of the other hollow outer shell and arranged.

[0010] Further, the columnar outer shell group may have a structure in which the overall shape can be changed between a linear reduced shape in which adjacent hollow outer shells are in close contact and fitted together and a curved shape in which adjacent hollow outer shells are arranged in an arc with a space therebetween.

[0011] Further, each joint of the link group is a rotational pair by pin connection, the movement of the link group is a movement along a predetermined movable plane defined by the rotational pair of each joint, and the bending of the columnar outer shell group is a bending along the movable plane.

[0012] Further, a limiting structure that limits the bending limit in one direction of the columnar outer shell group along the movable plane to be smaller than the bending limit in the other direction among the bidirectional bendings of the columnar outer shell group along the movable plane may be further provided in one or both of the hollow outer shell and the link group.

[0013] Further, the limiting structure may be a one-way rotation limiting structure provided at each joint of the link group.

[0014] Further, due to the limitation of the rotation angle by the rotation limiting structure, a limitation may be provided to the elongation of the link group, and within the extendable range of the link group, the columnar outer shell group may be extendable.

[0015] Further, the limiting structure may include a structure in which the joint support portion is provided at a position shifted in the other direction from the array center line of the hollow outer shell.

[0016] Further, the limiting structure may be a structure in which when bending in the one direction, the adjacent hollow outer shells interfere with each other to provide a bending limit in the one direction.

[0017] Another aspect is a toy provided with the movable structure at a predetermined part.

Advantages of the Invention

[0018] According to the present invention, a movable structure that can be bent and can be expanded and contracted can be realized.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

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Figure 8

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Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] Figure 1 is a front external view of the humanoid 2 in an upright posture, which is an example of an embodiment to which the present invention is applied. The direction notations by the arrows shown in each figure indicate the up and down (Y-axis direction; the positive direction is up), front and back (Z-axis direction; the positive direction is front), and left and right (X-axis direction; the positive direction is left) directions for the humanoid 2. The directions in the following description are based on this.

[0021] The humanoid 2 is a toy having movable parts that reproduce a character based on manga, anime, tokusatsu movies, games, novels, etc. as a three-dimensional object. The humanoid 2 of the present embodiment has a design imitating a humanoid robot weapon and is a toy made by assembling parts by part.

[0022] The parts of the humanoid 2 include a head 3, a torso 4, arms 5, and legs 6. And in the present embodiment, the arm 5 of the humanoid 2 has a movable structure that can be bent and stretched.

[0023] Note that the basic form of the humanoid 2 is in the form of a human with one head 3 above the torso 4 as the center, arms 5 on the left and right sides, and two legs 6 below. In addition to this form, the humanoid 2 may be attached with a backpack-like accessory (for example, a back burner if it is a robot weapon) on the back, provided with wings on the back, or attached with a tail. Any of them has the basic form of the humanoid 2 of the present embodiment and can be called the humanoid of the present embodiment.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a front external view showing a configuration example of the left arm portion 5, showing a linear "reduced shape" state in which the movable structure is most shortened. FIG. 3 is a view showing the inside thereof. Note that since the right arm portion 5 is symmetric with the left arm portion 5 about the left - right axis and has the same configuration, duplicate explanations are omitted. Also, as for the arm portion 5 to the movable structure 14, the direction with the smallest minimum value of the radius of curvature that can be bent (briefly speaking, the direction that bends well) is called the "main bending direction". In the case of FIGS. 2 and 3, the arm portion 5 is the left arm, and the right - hand side (negative X - axis direction) for the humanoid body 2 is the main bending direction. Although the degree of curvature does not reach the main bending direction, it can also be bent in the direction opposite to the main bending direction. Therefore, the direction opposite to the main bending direction is called the "sub - bending direction". The main bending direction and the sub - bending direction are in the direction along the XY plane in FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0025] The arm portion 5 has a shoulder joint portion 10, a hand portion 12, a hand joint 13, and a movable structure 14. The movable structure 14 further has a column - shaped outer shell group 20 and a link group 50.

[0026] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the column - shaped outer shell group 20. The column - shaped outer shell group 20 is a component group in which a plurality of hollow outer shells are arranged in a column. Specifically, the column - shaped outer shell group 20 has a first - type hollow outer shell 21, a plurality of second - type hollow outer shells 22, and a third - type hollow outer shell 23, and these are arranged in a row.

[0027] The first - type hollow outer shell 21 is composed of two symmetric pieces (front piece 21f, rear piece 21r) in the front - rear direction, and by fitting them together in the front - rear direction, it becomes a single cylindrical body. Focusing on the appearance as a single cylindrical body, in the first type of hollow outer shell 21, the outer diameter of one end side (upper side) above the vicinity of the upper and lower center is smaller than that of the other end side (lower side) below the vicinity of the upper and lower center. Specifically, one end of the first type of hollow outer shell 21 gradually becomes thinner upward, and the lower other end side has a cylindrical shape. Focusing on the volume relationship, the other end side of the internal space of the first type of hollow outer shell 21 has a size capable of accommodating one end. In other words, in the first type of hollow outer shell 21, the dimension of the internal space on the other end side is set larger than the outer dimension on one end side.

[0028] Focusing on the inside, the first type of hollow outer shell 21 has, on one end side which is the upper side, a shoulder joint connecting portion 24 for sandwiching the connecting protrusion 11 of the shoulder joint portion 10 in the front and rear directions, a joint support portion 25 for supporting the link group 50 to swing up and down, and a swing restricting portion 26 for restricting one side of the swing of the uppermost link of the link group 50.

[0029] The joint support portion 25 is a hole or aperture for fitting the end portion of a roll pin (joint member connecting the links) that connects each link in the link group 50 in a rotary pair. The position of the joint support portion 25 is set at a position shifted to the side in the main bending direction of the movable structure 14 from the array center line L1 of the columnar outer shell group 20 (the same as the front view center line of the first type of hollow outer shell 21).

[0030] The second type of hollow outer shell 22 is composed of two pieces that are symmetric in the front and rear (front piece 22f, rear piece 22r), and by aligning them in the front and rear, it becomes a single cylindrical body. Focusing on the appearance as a single cylindrical body, the second type of hollow outer shell 22 also has a smaller outer diameter on one end side (upper side) above the vicinity of the upper and lower centers than on the other end side (lower side) below the vicinity of the upper and lower centers. Specifically, one end portion of the second type of hollow outer shell 22 has a joint support portion 25, an opening portion 27 upward and rightward, and a cover portion 28 curved convexly leftward. The lower other end side of the second type of hollow outer shell 22 has a cylindrical shape. Focusing on the volume relationship, the other end side of the internal space of the second type of hollow outer shell 22 has a size capable of accommodating one end portion. In other words, for the second type of hollow outer shell 22 as well, the dimension of the internal space on the other end side is set larger than the outer dimension on one end side.

[0031] Also in the second type of hollow outer shell 22, the position of the joint support portion 25 is set at a position shifted in the main bending direction from the array center line L1 of the columnar outer shell group 20 (the same as the front view center line of the second type of hollow outer shell 22).

[0032] Following the three second type of hollow outer shells 22, the third type of hollow outer shell 23 is arranged. The third type of hollow outer shell 23 is composed of two symmetrical pieces (front piece 23f, rear piece 23r) in the front and rear, and they become one part when combined front and rear.

[0033] The third type of hollow outer shell 23 has a joint support portion 25 and a cover portion 28 on one end side (upper side) above the vicinity of the upper and lower centers, and has a joint bearing 29 that rotatably supports the hand joint 13 on the other end side below the vicinity of the upper and lower centers. Also in the third type of hollow outer shell 23, the position of the joint support portion 25 is set at a position shifted in the main bending direction of the movable structure 14 from the array center line L1 of the columnar outer shell group 20 (the same as the front view center line of the third type of hollow outer shell 23).

[0034] The third type of hollow outer shell 23 has a smaller outer diameter at one end side (upper side) near the upper and lower centers than the other end side (lower side) of the second type of hollow outer shell 22. Specifically, one end portion of the third type of hollow outer shell 23 has a cylindrical shape that gradually narrows upward and also gradually narrows downward toward the other end side of the lower part. Focusing on the volume relationship, one end side of the third type of hollow outer shell 23 is set to a size that can be accommodated in the other end side of the second type of hollow outer shell 22. In other words, the outer dimension of one end side of the third type of hollow outer shell 23 is set large in relation to the dimension of the internal space of the other end side of the adjacent hollow outer shell.

[0035] And in the columnar outer shell group 20, a plurality of hollow outer shells (the first type of hollow outer shell 21, three second type of hollow outer shells 22, and the third type of hollow outer shell 23) are arranged in order from above, with one end side of the adjacent hollow outer shell on one side being loosely fitted into the other end side of the hollow outer shell on the other side.

[0036] FIG. 5 is a front view of the link group 50. FIG. 6 is a side view thereof. The link group 50 is a connected body of a plurality of links arranged in an internal space formed by the communication of the interiors of the hollow outer shells. Specifically, the link group 50 has, in order from above, seven first type of links 51 and one second type of link 52. These links are connected to each other by a pin connection with a roll pin joint 53 (53L, 53S) between adjacent ones and are rotatable relative to each other about the roll pin joint 53.

[0037] Long type roll pin joints 53L and short type roll pin joints 53S are used for the roll pin joints 53. Long type roll pin joints 53L are used in the main bending direction (negative X-axis side in FIG. 5) of the movable structure 14, and short type roll pin joints 53S are used in the sub-bending direction (positive X-axis side in FIG. 5).

[0038] FIG. 7 is a perspective external view of the first type of link 51. FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view thereof. The first type of link 51 has a single ring 511, a twin ring 512, and a connecting portion 513 that connects these rings so that the directions of the holes are parallel to each other.

[0039] The inner diameter of the hole of the single ring 511 is set so as to fit and fix the roll pin joint 53. The inner diameter of the hole of the twin ring 512 is set to be slightly larger than the inner diameter of the single ring 511 so that the roll pin joint 53 is loosely fitted.

[0040] The thickness D in the hole direction of the single ring 511 is set to be slightly smaller than the distance W between the opposing surfaces of the twin ring 512. When connected as the link group 50, the single ring 511 is loosely fitted between the opposing surfaces of the twin ring 512 of another adjacent link.

[0041] Also, the single ring 511 has a limiting protrusion 54 with a locally enlarged outer diameter at the outer peripheral portion. Also, the connecting portion 513 has a stepped portion 55 on the lower surface facing between the opposing surfaces of the twin ring 512.

[0042] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the second type of link 52. The second type of link 52 has a first single ring 521, a second single ring 522, and a connecting portion 523 that connects these rings so that the directions of the holes are parallel to each other.

[0043] The first single ring 521 is the same as the single ring 511 of the first type of link 51. That is, the inner diameter of the hole of the first single ring 521 is set so as to fit and fix the roll pin joint 53. The thickness D in the hole direction of the first single ring 521 is the same as that of the single ring 511 of the first type of link 51. Also, the first single ring 521 has a limiting protrusion 54 with a locally enlarged outer diameter at the outer peripheral portion.

[0044] The second single ring 522 is obtained by omitting one of the twin rings 512 of the first type link 51. Therefore, the inner diameter of the hole of the second single ring 522 is set to be slightly larger than the diameter of the first single ring 521 so as to loosely fit the roll pin joint 53.

[0045] Figure 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of the link group 50. For easy understanding, the adjacent first type links 51 are represented with different cross-sectional hatchings.

[0046] The seven first type links 51 are, in order from the top, alternately switched between a posture in which the step portion 55 faces the sub-bending direction (the positive X-axis direction in FIG. 10) and a posture in which the step portion 55 faces the main bending direction (the negative X-axis direction in FIG. 9). Then, the single ring 511 of the lower first type link 51 is inserted between the twin rings 512 of the upper first type link 51, and the roll pin joint 53 is passed through the holes of both rings for connection.

[0047] The second type link 52 inserts the first single ring 521 into the twin ring 512 of the adjacent first type link 51, and the roll pin joint 53 is passed through the holes of both rings for connection.

[0048] Here, returning to FIG. 3 and focusing on the assembly relationship between the columnar outer shell group 20 and the link group 50, for the link group 50, the front and rear ends of the long-type roll pin joint 53L (see FIG. 5) are fitted and fixed to the joint support portion 25 (see FIG. 4) of the hollow outer shell, and the roll pin joint 53S is not fixed to the joint support portion 25 or the like and can move freely inside the hollow outer shell. Therefore, it is as if the link group 50 is an internal skeleton, and every other roll pin joint 53 is supported by the joint support portion 25 in the arrangement order of the hollow outer shells, and the link group 50 holds the arrangement of the columnar outer shell group 20. In this embodiment, every other roll pin joint 53 is supported by the joint support portion 25, but it is not limited to this, and the positional relationship between the roll pin joint 53 and the joint support portion 25 can be appropriately changed according to the shape of bending and stretching. For example, every two roll pin joints 53 may be supported by the joint support portion 25.

[0049] Next, the operation of the movable structure 14 will be described. FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view of the state where the movable structure 14 is extended. The movable structure 14 in the state shown in FIG. 3 is in a state where the movable structure 14 is straight and has the shortest overall length. Speaking with reference to the columnar outer shell group 20, it can be said that the columnar outer shell group 20 has a linear reduced shape in which adjacent hollow outer shells are fitted together.

[0050] As described above, each joint of the link group 50 is a rotational pair by pin connection by the roll pin joint 53, and the movement of the link group 50 is a movement along a predetermined movable surface (in FIG. 11, the XY plane intersecting the axial direction of the roll pin joint 53) determined by the rotational pair of each joint.

[0051] Therefore, when the user wants to extend the arm portion 5 of the humanoid body 2, the hand portion 12 is pulled downward. Then, the link group 50 rotates and swings relative to each other with the XY plane as the movable surface at the roll pin joint 53. Looking at the overall shape of the link group 50, the zigzag bending angle of the link becomes loose, and it has a shape with an extended overall length.

[0052] However, the elongation of the link group 50 is restricted by a certain length. FIG. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the state of the link group 50 with the arm portion 5 extended to the limit. Focusing on the positional relationship of adjacent links in the operation of extending the link group 50, the restriction projection 54 of the single ring 511 of the lower link approaches the stepped portion 55 of the twin ring 512 of the adjacent link above. When the user continues to extend the arm portion 5, eventually the restriction projection 54 abuts against the stepped portion 55, restricting further rotation and rocking. That is, the restriction projection 54 and the stepped portion 55 function as a rotation restriction structure 59 (see FIG. 7).

[0053] Focusing on the columnar outer shell group 20, since the link group 50 is connected to the hollow outer shell of the columnar outer shell group 20 by the long type of roll pin joint 53L, in the columnar outer shell group 20, the interval between adjacent hollow outer shells widens in conjunction with the elongation of the link group 50. Therefore, the movable structure 14 and the arm portion 5 appear to have extended in terms of appearance. Of course, if the user moves the hand portion 12 straight upward to return to the original position, the link group 50, the columnar outer shell group 20, and the movable structure 14 return to the original state in FIG. 3, and the arm portion 5 returns to the original straight and shortest state.

[0054] FIG. 13 is a view showing the inside of the columnar outer shell group 20 with the movable structure 14 curved. When the user wants to bend the arm portion 5 of the humanoid body 2 from the state in FIGS. 3 and 11 in the main bending direction (negative X-axis direction in FIGS. 3 and 11), if the user moves the hand portion 12 to the right with the upright posture as a reference, as shown in FIG. 13, the arm portion 5 curves into a curved shape while slightly elongating in the bending direction. Of course, in the case of the right arm portion 5, if the user moves it to the left in the same manner with the upright posture as a reference while holding the hand portion 12, the right arm portion 5 will curve slightly while elongating to the left side (the main bending direction for the right arm portion 5).

[0055] Specifically, when the user moves the hand portion 12 of the arm portion 5 in the main bending direction, the long-type roll pin joint 53L comes to the inner side of the curvature, and the short-type roll pin joint 53S (a certain floating shaft floating with respect to the columnar outer shell group 20) comes to the outer side of the curvature. Therefore, the distance between adjacent long-type roll pin joints 53L becomes smaller than the distance between adjacent short-type roll pin joints 53S, and the zigzag state of the link group 50 in the front view is such that the main bending direction closes while the secondary bending direction opens, and it curves as a whole.

[0056] And since the long-type roll pin joint 53L is connected to each hollow outer shell of the columnar outer shell group 20, the arrangement of the columnar outer shell group 20 also follows the deformation of the link group 50. As a result, the positional relationship between adjacent hollow outer shells (the first-type hollow outer shell 21, the second-type hollow outer shell 22, the third-type hollow outer shell 23) is such that the ends on the main bending direction side maintain a state of being close to each other, and the ends on the secondary bending direction side are separated and spaced apart. The movable structure 14 and the arm portion 5 change to a curved shape arranged in an arc shape along the movable surface of the link group 50, and the overall shape is changed.

[0057] When the ends of adjacent hollow outer shells on the secondary bending direction side are separated, the cover portion 28 (see FIG. 4) of each hollow outer shell is in a state of being pulled out from the internal space of the lower end of the adjacent hollow outer shell above, preventing the inside of the columnar outer shell group 20 from being exposed and maintaining the appearance when the arm portion 5 is curved.

[0058] Even when the link group 50 bends in the main bending direction, when the link group 50 extends, the limiting protrusion 54 and the step portion 55 will eventually come into contact, and it will no longer extend. As a result, the bending of the movable structure 14 and the arm portion 5 in the main bending direction is also restricted. So to speak, the arm cannot bend beyond a certain degree.

[0059] Well, what will happen if we try to bend the arm portion 5 in the secondary bending direction? When the user moves the hand part 12 from the states of FIGS. 3 and 11 to the left with respect to the upright posture, the link group 50 and the columnar outer shell group 20 move in a direction opposite to the case where the hand part 12 is moved to the right. Therefore, the link group 50 bends in the secondary bending direction (leftward).

[0060] The bending in the secondary bending direction is also restricted by the restriction of the elongation of the link group 50, similar to the bending in the main bending direction. However, the long-type roll pin joint 53L that connects the link group 50 and the columnar outer shell group 20 is displaced from the arrangement center line L1 (see FIG. 4) of the columnar outer shell group 20. Therefore, assuming that the degree of bending of the columnar outer shell group 20 is the same, the total length of the link group 50 becomes longer when bending in the secondary bending direction (X-axis positive direction) than when bending in the main bending direction (X-axis negative direction). As described above, since there is a limit to the total length of the link group 50, conversely, the restriction acts earlier and the bending is restricted when bending in the secondary bending direction.

[0061] Therefore, the rotation restriction structure 59 (see FIGS. 7 and 8) of the link group 50 acts to restrict the bending limit in one direction (secondary bending direction) compared to the bending limit in the other direction (main bending direction) among the bendings of the columnar outer shell group 20 along the movable surface of the link group 50. It can be said that the elongation of the link group 50 is restricted by the restriction of the rotation angle by the rotation restriction structure 59, and the columnar outer shell group 20 can be extended within the extendable range of the link group 50.

[0062] As described above, according to the present embodiment, a movable structure that can be bent and can be expanded and contracted can be realized.

[0063] 〔Modification example〕 The embodiments to which the present invention can be applied are not limited to the above examples, and addition, omission, and modification of components can be made as appropriate.

[0064] (Modification example 1) For example, in the above embodiment, 1) the link group 50 has a rotation restriction structure 59 (see FIG. 7) as the first restriction structure, and 2) the columnar outer shell group 20 has a joint support portion 25 at a position deviated from the array center line L1 of the hollow outer shells as the second restriction structure (see FIG. 4). The first and second restriction structures bring about an effect of restricting the bending limit in one direction compared to the bending limit in the other direction, and impart flexibility to the movable structure 14. The movable structure 14 is used as the arm portion 5, and the flexibility is suitable in terms of reproducing the characteristic that it is easy to bend in a specific direction like a human arm, but difficult to bend in the opposite direction. When the movable structure 14 is used in the concept of the neck or abdomen of the humanoid body 2, it can be said that it is preferable to provide flexibility for the same reason.

[0065] However, depending on the predetermined part of the toy using the movable structure 14, it is not always necessary to provide flexibility as much as in the above embodiment. For example, in the case of a toy with a squid motif, where the movable structure 14 is used for the tentacles of the squid. This also applies to the case where the movable structure 14 is applied to the parts that become the freely bendable tails or tentacles of toys with real or virtual animals and plants as design motifs.

[0066] In that case, specifically, if the deviation from the array center line L1 of the hollow outer shells related to the set position of the joint support portion 25 is made smaller than in the above embodiment, the flexibility can be made smaller than in the above embodiment. Also, by omitting the rotation restriction structure 59 from the link group 50, or by making the step portion 55 deeper in the circumferential direction of the twin ring 512, the flexibility can be made smaller than in the above embodiment.

[0067] Note that depending on the predetermined part of the toy to which the movable structure 14 is applied, the number of hollow outer shells arranged by the columnar outer shell group 20 and the number of links connected by the link group 50 can of course be set as appropriate.

[0068] (Modification Example 2) Also, as shown in FIG. 14, a limiting structure portion can be added to the columnar outer shell group 20. Specifically, a first protrusion 31 is provided on the outside of the cover portion 28 of the hollow outer shell, and a second protrusion 32 that abuts against the first protrusion 31 is provided on the inner surface of the other end side of the hollow outer shell. The relative positional relationship between the first protrusion 31 and the second protrusion 32 is set such that in adjacent hollow outer shells, the movable structure 14 is in a separated state in the contracted shape and comes into contact at the extension limit when the movable structure 14 is extended.

[0069] In the example of FIG. 14, the first protrusion 31 and the second protrusion 32 are provided on the side of the secondary bending direction, but they may be provided on the side of the main bending direction or may be provided in both directions. In the configuration provided in both directions, by changing the relative positional relationship between the first protrusion 31 and the second protrusion 32 depending on the direction, it is also possible to act so as to limit the bending limit of the columnar outer shell group 20 in one direction compared to the bending limit in the other direction. And if the second protrusion 32 that abuts against the first protrusion 31 is provided, the rotation limiting structure 59 can be omitted from the link group 50.

[0070] Note that, for ease of understanding, the first protrusion 31 and the second protrusion 32 are drawn in a protruding manner, but depending on the internal dimensions of the other end side of the hollow outer shell and the setting of the curvature of the cover portion 28 (see FIG. 4), when the bending goes up to the curved part, the cover portion 28 can be made to contact and interfere with the inside of the other end side to cause a restriction.

Explanation of Signs

[0071] 2… Humanoid body (toy) 5… Arm part 14… Movable structure 20… Columnar outer shell group 21… First type of hollow outer shell 22… Second type of hollow outer shell 23… Third type of hollow outer shell 25… Joint support portion 26… Oscillation restricting portion 28… Cover portion 50… Link group 51… First type of link 52… Second type of link 53 (53L, 53S) … Roll pin joint 54 … Limiting projection 55 … Step portion 59 … Rotation limiting structure L1 … Array center line

Claims

1. A movable structure that serves as a predetermined part of a toy, A plurality of hollow shells each having an internal space formed by communicating with each other; A link group which is a connection body of a plurality of link members arranged in the internal space; Equipped with The hollow shells are cylindrical bodies having an outer dimension at one end side larger than an outer dimension at the other end side, and the plurality of hollow shells are arranged such that one end side of one of the adjacent hollow shells on one side is loosely fitted into the other end side of the hollow shell on the other side, A movable structure in which the plurality of hollow shells can be moved in an expanding / contracting direction and a curving direction by movement of the link members of the link group.

2. The movable structure according to claim 1 , wherein the overall shape of the plurality of hollow shells can be changed between a linear contracted shape in which adjacent hollow shells fit together, and a curved shape in which adjacent hollow shells are arranged in an arc with spaces between them.

3. a limiting structure for limiting the bending limit of the hollow shell in one of a main bending direction and a secondary bending direction in comparison with the bending limit in the other direction, in one or both of the hollow shell and the group of links; The movable structure according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

4. The limiting structure is a rotation limiting structure in the one direction provided on the link group. The movable structure according to claim 3 .

5. The rotation limiting structure limits the extension of the link group by limiting the rotation angle, and the hollow shell is extendable within the extendable range of the link group. The movable structure according to claim 4.

6. the hollow shell has a support portion in the internal space that supports the link group, The restriction structure includes a structure in which the support portion is provided at a position shifted in the other direction from an arrangement center line of the hollow outer shells. The movable structure according to any one of claims 3 to 5.

7. The limiting structure is a structure in which adjacent hollow shells interfere with each other when bending in the one direction, thereby providing a bending limit in the one direction. The movable structure according to any one of claims 3 to 6.

8. A toy comprising the movable structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7 at a predetermined position.

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