Model toys and articulated structures

Abstract

The present invention provides a mechanism for realizing a rotatable joint structure in a model toy while restricting the range of rotation with a simple structure. [Solution] This model toy includes a first part, a second part, and a connecting member that rotatably connects the second part to the first part. The connecting member has one end connected to the first part and the other end connected to the second part. The one end connected to the first part has an axle that is rotatably connected to the first part, and a connecting part that is shaped differently from the axle and that restricts rotation of the first part around the axle.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a model toy and an articulated structure. [Background technology]

[0002] Human and animal model toys are required to be able to move in natural ways and pose in a variety of ways. Therefore, to realize movements and poses similar to those of humans and animals, model toys are desired to have various joints and rotating parts with a wide range of motion. On the other hand, if the range of motion of the joints is expanded too much, some parts of the body may rotate to a range not expected for humans or animals, giving an unnatural impression. Furthermore, excessive rotation may cause collisions with other parts and damage them. Patent Document 1 provides a doll joint structure that employs a single ball joint structure yet is capable of creating realistic, subtle human expressions in a figurine. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-17264 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The above-mentioned conventional technology uses a single ball joint, and in a joint structure that allows rotation forward, backward, left, and right, it has a structure that prevents rotation in the left and right direction, realizing subtle, realistic human facial expressions. In this way, in order to realize more natural movements, the above-mentioned conventional technology does not allow free and unlimited rotation, but instead provides a structure that prevents rotation in the left and right direction.

[0005] However, the above-mentioned conventional configuration requires a blocking structure in addition to the single ball joint structure, which increases the number of parts and makes the structure complex. Furthermore, if the blocking structure is exposed to the outside, it creates an unnatural appearance.

[0006] The present invention provides a mechanism for realizing a rotatable joint structure in a model toy while restricting the range of rotation with a simple structure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention is, for example, a model toy comprising a first part, a second part, and a connecting member that rotatably connects the second part to the first part, wherein the connecting member has one end connected to the first part and the other end connected to the second part, and the one end connected to the first part has an axle portion that is rotatably connected to the first part, and a connecting portion that is formed in a shape different from the axle portion and that restricts rotation relative to the first part around the axle portion as a rotation axis. The present invention also provides, for example, a model toy comprising a first part, a second part, and a connecting member that rotatably connects the second part to the first part, the connecting member having one end connected to the first part and the other end connected to the second part, the one end connected to the first part having a shaft portion rotatably connected to the first part and a connecting portion formed in a shape different from that of the shaft portion, the shaft portion being rotatable relative to the first part. death , The connecting portion is The movable part is characterized by being able to move through a gap provided at the connection portion with the first part.

[0008] The present invention also provides, for example, a joint structure comprising a first part, a second part, and a connecting member that rotatably connects the second part to the first part, wherein the connecting member has one end connected to the first part and the other end connected to the second part, and the one end connected to the first part has an axle portion that is rotatably connected to the first part, and a connecting portion that is formed in a shape different from the axle portion and that restricts rotation relative to the first part around the axle portion as a rotation axis. The present invention also provides, for example, a joint structure comprising a first part, a second part, and a connecting member that connects the second part to the first part so that the second part can rotate, the connecting member having one end connected to the first part and the other end connected to the second part, the one end connected to the first part having a shaft portion that is connected to the first part so as to be rotatable and moveable in a predetermined direction, and a connecting portion formed in a shape different from the shaft portion, the shaft portion being rotatable relative to the first part. death , The connecting portion is The movable part is characterized by being able to move through a gap provided at the connection portion with the first part. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, a rotatable joint structure can be realized in a model toy, while the range of rotation can be restricted with a simple structure, thereby realizing more natural movements. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing an example of a front exterior view and a side exterior view of a model toy according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the entire model toy according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] 1A and 1B are perspective and exploded views, respectively, of the chest and waist joints of a model toy according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a chest joint according to one embodiment. [Figure 5] 1A is a plan view, FIG. 1B is a side view, and FIG. 1C is a perspective view of a connecting member according to one embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the range of motion of a connecting member by a chest joint according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention as claimed, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the invention. Two or more of the features described in the embodiments may be arbitrarily combined. Furthermore, the same reference numerals are used for the same or similar components, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0012] <Appearance of the model toy> First, an example of the external configuration of a model toy 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1(a) shows the external side view of the model toy 100. Fig. 1(b) shows the external front view of the model toy 100. Note that the up / down, left / right, and front / back arrows indicate the orientation of the model toy in the drawing, and this also applies to the other drawings.

[0013] The model toy 100 includes a head 101, a torso 102, front legs 103a and 103b, rear legs 104a and 104b, and armor 105. The model toy 100 is a movable model toy such as a movable figure, and each part can be moved within a limited range created by its relationship with other members. The head 101 is connected to the torso 102 by a spherical connecting member (hereinafter also referred to as a ball joint). Front legs 103, including a right front leg 103a and a left front leg 103b, are connected to the torso 102 by a spherical connecting member around the chest of the model toy 100, and right rear leg 104a and left rear leg 104b are connected to the torso 102 around the waist of the model toy 100. Additionally, armor 105a and 105b are connected above the connection points of the front legs 104 around the chest of the model toy 100. In other words, the front legs 104a, 104b and the arms 105a, 105b each move independently, and by employing the joint structure of the present invention for the front legs 104a, 104b, the front legs 104a, 104b can move within a range that does not interfere with the arms 105a, 105b.

[0014] In the following, as the joint structure according to this embodiment, a chest and waist joint structure in which front legs 103a, 103b and rear legs 104a, 104b are connected to torso 102 by connecting members each having a polygonal or elliptical cylindrical shape at one end is described. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention, and the joint structure described below is not limited to chest joints and waist joints (hip joints), and can also be applied to other joints, such as neck joints, elbow joints, and knee joints.

[0015] <Assembly structure of the entire model toy> Next, the assembly structure of the model toy 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Here, an overview of the overall assembly structure of the model toy 100 will be described, and detailed explanations of the assembly structure of each part will be omitted.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, each part is connected to the torso 102, which is the first part. The connected parts are the head 101, and the front legs 103a, 103b and the rear legs 104a, 104b, which are the second parts, and are rotatably connected to a spherical connecting part protruding from the torso 102. In this way, since each part is individually connected to the torso 102, each part can be moved individually. Furthermore, since each part is connected to the torso 102 via a spherical connecting part (hereinafter also referred to as a ball joint), it can be moved freely within the restrictions imposed by the interference of other parts. With this configuration, a variety of poses and movements can be realized. The details of the connecting member having the spherical connecting part will be described later. Furthermore, weapons 105a, 105b are connected to the torso 102 above the position where the front legs 103a, 103b are connected.

[0017] <Fuselage assembly structure> Next, the assembly structure of the torso section 102 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3(a) shows a perspective view of a portion of the torso section 102 according to this embodiment, and Fig. 3(b) shows an exploded view of Fig. 3(a). Here, the assembly structure of the connecting members 202 to 205 that connect the front legs 103a, 103b and the hind legs 104a, 104b, which are the second parts (limb parts), to the torso section 102 will be described.

[0018] As indicated by the arrows in FIG. 3(b), one end of each of the connecting members 202-205 is inserted into and connected to a connecting portion provided on the body portion 102, as shown in FIG. 3(a). The connecting portion provided on the body portion 102 has a space for receiving one end of the polygonal prism shape of each of the connecting members 202-205. As will be described in detail later, one end of each of the connecting members 202-205 is formed in a polygonal prism shape, and as shown in FIG. 3(b), the connecting portion has an axial portion (cylindrical portion) that serves as the rotation axis of the connected part at the center of the polygonal prism shape, which is a triangular prism. Therefore, each connecting portion provided on the body portion 102 has an inner wall formed to receive not only the space for receiving the triangular prism shape, but also the axial portion (cylindrical portion) that passes through the center of the triangular prism. Here, the axial portion (cylindrical portion) at one end of the connecting members 202-205 has a shape that is different from at least the polygonal prism shape at the one end. These connecting members 202 to 205 and their corresponding connected parts all have the same configuration, and therefore the following detailed description will be given using connecting member 203 to which left front leg 103b is connected. Note that, although the description here takes an example in which one end of each connecting member 202 to 205 is a polygonal prism with a triangular prism shape, this is not intended to limit the present invention, and the connecting members may also be, for example, elliptical prism shapes.

[0019] <Cross-section of the joint> Next, a cross-sectional view of the chest joint of the model toy 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 shows a cross section taken along the line XX' in Fig. 1(a).

[0020] The connecting members 202, 203 that connect the front legs 103a, 103b to the body 102 have one end that is incorporated into the body 102 and is formed in a polygonal shape (triangle in FIG. 4) in cross section, and the other end to which the front legs 103a, 103b are connected is formed in a spherical shape (circular in FIG. 4). In addition, the shaft member of the connecting member has a cylindrical shape, and is a shape that is different from the polygonal column shape (or elliptical column shape) of at least one end.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 4, the other spherical end is rotatably mounted to the inner wall of each front leg 103a, 103b without any gaps, while the connected portion into which the triangular prism-shaped one end is mounted has a gap at the bottom, with its inner wall not abutting the triangular prism-shaped one end. This gap allows the connecting members 202, 203 themselves to rotate slightly vertically. That is, the front legs 103a, 103b are rotatably connected by a ball joint at the other end, and the connecting members 202, 203 themselves can move vertically, allowing for a wider variety of poses and facial expressions. However, if the range of motion of the connecting members 202, 203 is too large, for example, the front legs 103a, 103b may collide with the armor 105a, 105b connected above them, potentially damaging the parts. Therefore, in this embodiment, one end of the connecting members 202 and 203 is formed in a polygonal column shape, thereby restricting the range of movement of the connecting members 202 and 203.

[0022] <Connecting member> The rotation range of the legs according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5(a) shows a plan view of the connecting member, Fig. 5(b) shows a side view of the connecting member, and Fig. 5(c) shows a perspective view of the connecting member. Here, the connecting member 203 for connecting the left front leg 103b to the body 102 will be described, but the other connecting members 202, 204, and 205 have the same configuration, so their description will be omitted.

[0023] The connecting member 203 is configured to include a triangular prism-shaped connecting portion (also referred to as a rotation restricting portion) 501, a cylindrical portion 502 protruding from the center of the triangular prism in the front-to-rear direction of the model toy 100, an axis member 503, and a spherical connecting portion 504. The connecting portion 501, which is one end of the connecting member 203, is connected to the body portion 102, and the connecting portion 504, which is the other end of the connecting member 203, is connected to the left front leg portion 103b.

[0024] Note that the connecting member 203 is formed as a single part, and the connecting portion 501 and the cylindrical portion 502 are also formed as a single unit. Therefore, the connecting portion 501 and the cylindrical portion 502 do not move or rotate independently, but operate as a single unit. The same is true for the connecting portion 504, which is also formed as a single unit.

[0025] <Rotation range of connecting members> Next, with reference to Figure 6, the rotation range, which is the range of motion of the connecting member 203 in the chest joint according to this embodiment, will be described. Figure 6(a) shows the chest joint portion of the left foreleg 103b in the cross section of Figure 4. Figure 6(b) shows the state in which the connecting member 203 has been rotated upward from the state in Figure 6(a), and Figure 6(c) shows the state in which the connecting member 203 has been rotated downward from the state in Figure 6(a). Note that, here, an example will be described in which the connecting portion (rotation restricting portion) 501 of the connecting member 203 is configured in a polygonal prism shape, which is a triangular prism, but even if it is an elliptical prism shape, the function of restricting rotation, which will be described below, can be realized.

[0026] 6(a), there is a small gap at the bottom of connecting member 203, as shown in dotted line frame 601. Connecting member 203 does not fall downward because cylindrical portion 502 protruding from the center of connecting portion 501 is supported by a recess on the inner wall of body portion 102. On the other hand, by utilizing this gap, there is room to rotate connecting portion 501, which has a triangular prism shape (triangular in the figure).

[0027] FIG. 6(b) shows the state in which the connecting member 203 has been rotated upward to its limit. The connecting member 203 can rotate up and down around the cylindrical portion 502 as a rotation axis. However, the connecting portion 501 is formed in a triangular prism shape, i.e., it has three corners. When the connecting member 203 is rotated upward, one of the three corners catches (abuts) on the inner wall of the body portion 102, as shown in the dotted line frame 602, restricting the upward rotation. In other words, the cylindrical portion 502 provided at the center of the connecting portion 501 functions as the vertical rotation axis of the connecting member 203, while the connecting portion 501 functions as a rotation restricting portion that restricts the vertical rotation of the connecting member 203. As a result, the upward movement of the left front leg 103b connected to the connecting member 203 is restricted within a certain range so that it does not collide with the armor 105b.

[0028] Note that upward rotation of the connecting member 203 is restricted by one corner of the connecting portion 501 catching (abutting) on ​​the inner wall of the body portion 102, and this catching (abutting) substantially fixes the connecting member 203 at that position. Here, the connecting member 203 can be held to the body portion 102 by the engagement between the cylindrical portion 502 and the inner wall of the body portion 102. FIG. 6(d) shows a connecting member 610, as a modified example of the connecting member 203, in which the connecting portion 611 is formed in an elliptical cylindrical shape. In this way, when the connecting portion 611 is formed in an elliptical cylindrical shape, an end 612 in the major axis direction of the ellipse included in the elliptical cylindrical shape catches on the inner wall of the body portion 102, as shown in FIG. 6(d), thereby restricting upward rotation of the connecting member 611. Therefore, the left front leg 103b is fixed in a position where it has moved upward, and for example, the vertical position of the connecting member that serves as the axis member for rotating each front leg can be made different between the left front leg 103b and the right front leg 103a, allowing for a wider variety of poses and facial expressions. Also, one corner of the connecting part 501 catches on the inner wall of the torso part 102, forcibly moving the vertical positions of the cylindrical part 502, the axis member 503, and the spherical connecting part 504 slightly downward, so that the left front leg 103b can be positioned in a lower position than if the connecting part 501 were not present, and for example, interference between the left front leg 103b and the armor 105b can be reduced.

[0029] FIG. 6(c) shows a state in which the connecting member 203 has been rotated downward to its limit. As with the upward rotation, when the connecting member 203 is rotated downward, one of the three corners hooks onto the inner wall of the body 102, as shown in the dotted-line frame 603, restricting downward movement within a certain range. Furthermore, downward rotation of the connecting member 203 is restricted by the hooking of one corner of the connecting portion 501, and this hooking substantially fixes the connecting member 203 at that position. Furthermore, when the connecting portion 611 is formed in an elliptical cylindrical shape, an end 613 in the major axis direction of the ellipse included in the elliptical cylindrical shape hooks onto the inner wall of the body 102, as shown in FIG. 6(d), thereby restricting downward rotation of the connecting member 611.

[0030] As described above, the model toy according to this embodiment includes a first part, a second part, and a connecting member that rotatably connects the second part to the first part. The connecting member includes one end connected to the first part, the other end connected to the second part, and an axle member. The one end connected to the first part has an axle that is rotatably connected to the first part, and a connecting part that is formed with a different shape from the axle and that restricts rotation relative to the first part around the axle. This allows the model toy to have a rotatable joint structure while also providing a mechanism for restricting the range of rotation with a simple structure.

[0031] <Modification> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the gist of the invention. In the above-described embodiments, examples have been described in which the joint structure is applied to a chest joint or a waist joint, but this is not intended to limit the present invention, and the structure may be used in other parts. For example, the structure may also be used in joints such as hip joints that connect legs, elbow joints, and knee joints.

[0032] Furthermore, although an example in which one side of the connecting member according to the above embodiment is formed in a triangular prism shape has been described, the present invention is not limited to this and may be formed in a polygonal prism shape or an elliptical prism shape. Furthermore, for example, a pentagonal prism shape or a hexagonal prism shape may also be used as the polygonal prism shape, and in such cases, it is possible to configure the connecting member so that its position is fixed to a certain extent each time a corner hits a wall, and that it rotates when further force is applied. Furthermore, although an example in which a spherical connecting portion (ball joint) is provided on the other side of the connecting member according to the above embodiment has been described, any connecting portion may be used as long as the connected parts are movable. It is desirable to configure a connecting portion suitable for the joint to be used.

[0033] The shape of the model toy is not particularly limited, and includes various shapes such as people, animals, robots, insects, dinosaurs, and imaginary creatures. [Explanation of symbols]

[0034] 100: Model toy, 101: Head, 102: Torso, 103a, 103b: Front legs, 104a, 104b: Rear legs, 105a, 105b: Weapons

Claims

1. A model toy, a first part and a second part; a connecting member that rotatably connects the second part to the first part, The connecting member is one end connected to the first part and another end connected to the second part; the one end connected to the first part has a shaft portion rotatably connected to the first part and a connecting portion formed in a shape different from that of the shaft portion, the shaft portion rotates relative to the first part, The model toy is characterized in that the connecting portion is movable through a gap provided at a connection portion with the first part.

2. The model toy according to claim 1 , wherein the connecting portion at the one end connected to the first part is formed in a polygonal prism shape or an elliptical prism shape.

3. The model toy according to claim 2 , wherein the other end of the connecting member, which is rotatably connected to the second part, is formed in a spherical shape.

4. The model toy according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the shaft portion is formed as a cylindrical portion at the center of the polygonal prism or elliptical prism shape that is the connecting portion, and is connected to the first part so as to be rotatable around the cylindrical portion as a rotation axis.

5. the first part is provided with a connection portion to which the one end of the connecting member is connected, 5. The model toy according to claim 4, wherein the connected portion is surrounded by a wall that restricts rotation of the connecting member about the cylindrical portion as an axis.

6. the first part is a trunk part, and the second part is one of the limbs, 6. The model toy according to claim 5, wherein the restriction imposed by the connected portion of the first part restricts the range of movement of the connecting member in the up and down direction.

7. The model toy according to claim 6, characterized in that when the connecting member is rotated to the limit of its range of motion in the vertical direction, one corner of the polygonal or elliptical cylindrical shape abuts against the wall of the connected part and is approximately fixed.

8. 8. The model toy according to claim 2, wherein the polygonal prism shape of the one end of the connecting member is a triangular prism shape.

9. A joint structure, a first part and a second part; a connecting member that rotatably connects the second part to the first part, The connecting member is one end connected to the first part and another end connected to the second part; the one end connected to the first part has a shaft portion connected to the first part so as to be rotatable and movable in a predetermined direction, and a connecting portion formed in a shape different from that of the shaft portion, the shaft portion rotates relative to the first part, The joint structure is characterized in that the connecting portion is movable through a gap provided at the connection portion with the first part.

10. The joint structure according to claim 9 , wherein the connecting portion at the one end connected to the first part is formed in a polygonal prism shape or an elliptical prism shape.

11. The joint structure according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the other end of the connecting member, which is rotatably connected to the second part, is formed in a spherical shape.

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