Model parts and model toys

Abstract

The present invention provides, for example, a novel mechanism for connecting multiple parts. [Solution] This toy model comprises a first part having a first connecting portion, a second part having a second connecting portion, and a third part covering at least a portion of the first part and the second part. By inserting the second part into the first part in a first direction and rotating it in a second direction, which is the circumferential direction with the first direction as the axis of rotation, the first and second connecting portions engage and are prevented from coming loose. By attaching the third part, the rotation of the second part is restricted and fixed.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in model toys such as plastic models, as a structure for connecting parts, a structure in which a shaft portion provided on one of a pair of parts is press-fitted (fixed by friction) into a hole portion provided on the other is common. In such a connection structure, as a method for preventing the separation of parts and increasing the holding force, it is known to strictly design the fitting tolerance between the shaft and the hole, or to fix them using an adhesive. Further, Patent Document 1 proposes an assembled toy having a mechanism for locking each component by rotating a support member including a rod-shaped body inserted into through holes of a plurality of components about the axis.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006] The present invention relates to, for example, a model part comprising a first part having a first connecting portion, a second part having a second connecting portion, and a third part covering at least a portion of the first part and the second part, wherein the second part is inserted into the first part in a first direction and rotated in a second direction which is the circumferential direction with the first direction as the axis of rotation, thereby engaging the first and second connecting portions and preventing them from coming loose, and the rotation of the second part is restricted and fixed by attaching the third part. The present invention relates to, for example, a model part comprising a first part having a first connecting portion, a second part having a second connecting portion, and two third parts covering at least a portion of the first part and the second part, wherein the second part is inserted into the first part in a first direction and rotated in a second direction which is a circumferential direction with the first direction as the axis of rotation, thereby engaging the first and second connecting portions and preventing them from coming loose, the two third parts are mounted so as to clamp at least a portion of the first part and the second part, and the rotation of the second part in the second direction is restricted and fixed by the inner wall of at least one of the two third parts contacting the outer wall of the second part.

[0007] Furthermore, the present invention relates to, for example, a model toy comprising a first part having a first connecting portion, a second part having a second connecting portion, and a third part covering at least a portion of the first part and the second part, wherein the second part is inserted into the first part in a first direction and rotated in a second direction which is the circumferential direction with the first direction as the axis of rotation, thereby engaging the first and second connecting portions and preventing them from coming loose, and the rotation of the second part is restricted and fixed by attaching the third part. Furthermore, the present invention relates to, for example, a model toy comprising a first part having a first connecting portion, a second part having a second connecting portion, and two third parts covering at least a portion of the first part and the second part, wherein the second part is inserted into the first part in a first direction and rotated in a second direction which is a circumferential direction with the first direction as the axis of rotation, thereby engaging the first and second connecting portions and preventing them from coming loose, the two third parts are mounted so as to clamp at least a portion of the first part and the second part, and the rotation of the second part in the second direction is restricted and fixed by the inner wall of at least one of the two third parts contacting the outer wall of the second part. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, for example, a novel mechanism for connecting multiple parts 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) Front view and (b) exploded perspective view of the arm of a model toy according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] A diagram illustrating the connection of parts in an arm according to one embodiment. [Figure 4]A diagram illustrating the connection of parts in an arm according to one embodiment. [Figure 5] (a) A perspective view of a predetermined part of an arm according to one embodiment, and (b) A partial cross-sectional view. [Figure 6A] A diagram showing the assembly of an arm according to one embodiment. [Figure 6B] A diagram showing the assembly of an arm 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> Referring 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. On the chest 102, a right arm part 103a and a left arm part 103b are further connected by shoulder joints on the sides, and a waist part 104 is connected at the lower part. The waist part 104 includes hip joints, and a right leg part 105a and a left leg part 105b are rotatably connected respectively.

[0014] <Configuration of the forearm part> Referring to FIG. 2, the configuration of the forearm part in the arm part according to the present embodiment will be described. Here, the configuration of the forearm part of the left arm part 103b will be described, but the configuration of the forearm part of the right arm part 103a is the same. FIG. 2(a) shows a front view of the left arm part 103b. FIG. 2(b) shows an exploded perspective view of the forearm part 200. In FIG. 2(b), the forearm part 200 is shown including parts of the elbow joint and a part of the hand.

[0015] The forearm part 200 is composed of parts 201 to 206. The part 201 is a part (first part) that serves as the base of the forearm part 200. The part 202 is a part (second part) that forms the wrist and is connected to the part 201. The part 202 is inserted into the part 201 to a predetermined position and is rotated and fitted in the circumferential direction with the insertion direction as the rotation axis. The specific connection configuration will be described later. The part 205 is a part (fourth part) that constitutes a part of the hand, has a spherical connecting part, and is rotatably connected to the part 202.

[0016] The parts 2*03a* and 2*03b* are rotatably connected by sandwiching the part 2*01* from both side surfaces of the part 2*0*1. Further, the parts 2*03a* and *203b* are rotatably connected by sandwiching the part 2*06* from both side surfaces of the part 2*06*. The part 2*06* is a part (fifth part) that constitutes a part of the elbow joint and is connected to the part of the upper arm. According to the present embodiment, the elbow joint is constituted by the parts 2*01*, 2*03a*, 2*03b*, and 2*06*, and the part 2*01* and the part 2*06* are rotatably connected to the part 2*03* respectively. Thereby, an elbow joint that rotates in two axes can be formed, and a wider movable range can be realized.

[0017] Parts 204a and 204b are exterior parts (third parts) that are sandwiched and connected so as to cover at least a part of parts 201 and 202 from both side surfaces of parts 201 and 202. Parts 201 and 202 are fixed to each other by being sandwiched by parts 204a and 204b. A specific assembly configuration will be described later.

[0018] <Detailed Configuration of Base Part and Wrist Part> Referring to FIG. 3, the detailed configuration of the base part and the wrist part according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 3(a) shows a perspective view of parts 201 and 202. FIG. (b) shows an enlarged view of a part of FIG. 3(a).

[0019] Part 201 includes connecting portions 311, 312, and 313. Connecting portion 311 is formed in a cylindrical shape on one end side of part 201. As shown in FIG. 3(b), a notch 314 is formed in a part of the connecting portion (first connecting portion) 311. Further, a concave portion 315 is formed on the inner side (center side of part 201) of the cylindrical shape. Further, a restricting portion 316 is formed in the concave portion 315. Parts 204a and 204b, which are exterior parts, are connected to connecting portion 312 from both side surfaces. Parts 203a and 203b are connected to connecting portion (third connecting portion) 313 from both side surfaces and form a part of the elbow joint. Connecting portion 311 is formed at one end of part 201, and connecting portion 313 is formed at the other end of part 201.

[0020] In addition, a connecting portion (second connecting portion) is formed in part 202. An insertion hole 321 and a protrusion 322 formed inside the insertion hole are formed in the connecting portion. The protrusion 322 is formed near the first opening, which is one end side of the insertion hole 321. When part 202 is inserted into part 201 in the first direction (hereinafter referred to as the d1 direction), the protrusion 322 passes through the notch 314 and reaches the concave portion 315. That is, the protrusion 322 is formed in a shape that can pass through the notch 314.

[0021] Here, the projection 322 is formed to match the width (l1) of the recess 315. In other words, the width of the projection 322 is formed to be shorter than the length l1. Therefore, the projection 322 can move inside the recess 315. This allows the part 202 to be inserted into the part 201 in the d1 direction and then rotated in the circumferential direction with the d1 direction as the axis of rotation. The recess 315 has a limiting portion 316 that restricts the range of movement of the projection 322. Therefore, the projection 322 can move inside the recess 315 until it collides with the limiting portion 316. This limits the rotation of the part 202 to a predetermined angle (for example, 90 degrees). This also has the effect of clarifying how far it should be rotated. The limiting portion 316 may also be provided on the opposite side inside the recess 315. This allows the rotation angle of the part 202 to be limited in the opposite direction as well.

[0022] <Assembly configuration of base parts and wrist parts> Referring to Figure 4, the assembly configuration of the base part and wrist part according to this embodiment will be described. Figures 4(a) and 4(b) show perspective views of parts 201 and 202.

[0023] Figure 4(a) shows the state in which part 202 is inserted into part 201 in the direction d1. In this state, the connecting portion 311 enters the insertion hole 321, and the projection 322 passes through the notch 314 and reaches the recess 315.

[0024] Figure 4(b) shows the state after rotating part 202 in the second direction (hereinafter referred to as the d2 direction) from the state shown in Figure 4(a). In this state, the projection 322 moves inside the recess 315 and reaches the limiting portion 316. As a result, part 202 is rotated by 90 degrees. Therefore, the projection 322 has moved to a position where it cannot pass through the notch 314, and movement in the direction opposite to the d1 direction in which part 202 was inserted can be restricted. This prevents part 202 from detaching from part 201.

[0025] <Cross-section> Referring to Figure 5, a partial cross-sectional view of the forearm portion 200 according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 5 shows a side cross-sectional view of the forearm portion 200.

[0026] The side cross-sectional view in Figure 5 shows parts 201, 202, 203a, and 205 assembled. The connecting portion 311 of part 201 is inserted into the insertion hole 321 of part 202 from the first opening, and the projection 322 reaches the recess 315 and is then rotated in the d2 direction. In this state, the projection 322 is in contact with the back surface of the part of the connecting portion 311 other than the notch 314 (restricting portion), and movement in the d3 direction (detachment direction) is restricted. As a result, part 202 is physically prevented from coming off part 201.

[0027] Furthermore, the insertion hole 321 is formed as a through hole, and the spherical connecting portion 351 of part 205 (fourth part) is inserted from the second opening opposite to the first opening. The spherical connecting portion 351 is press-fitted into the insertion hole 321 and connected in a way that prevents it from easily coming loose. Overpass portions 323 are formed on the inner wall of the insertion hole 321 in an annular or intermittent manner along the circumferential direction. The maximum diameter portion of the spherical connecting portion 351 passes over the overpass portions 323 with elastic deformation. As a result, when pulling out part 205 in the d3 direction, a certain amount of load is required to overcome the overpass portions 323 again, preventing accidental detachment during the movable operation of the hand. 500 shows an enlarged view of the area around the overpass portions 323. The spherical connecting portion 351 is inserted to a position where it has overcome the overhang portion 323, and is designed so that when pulled in the d3 direction, i.e., the direction of removal, it will collide with the overhang portion 323 and cannot be easily pulled out. This prevents the hand portion of the model toy 100 from unintentionally falling off when it is being moved.

[0028] <Assembly Process> Next, the assembly process of the forearm 200 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 6A and 6B. Figures 6A and 6B show exploded perspective views or perspective views of the forearm 200 after assembly.

[0029] Figure 6A(a) shows the forearm 200 with part 202 attached to part 201, and the other parts disassembled and unattached. Parts 203a and 203b are attached to parts 201 and 202 from both sides. Here, parts 203a and 203b are inserted from both sides into the ring-shaped connecting portion 313 of part 201. Specifically, the cylindrical portion with a hole in part 203a and the rod portion of part 203b are inserted into the connecting portion 313, and the rod portion enters the hole and is fitted into place. These fitted portions also form one of the movable axes (first movable axis) of the elbow joint.

[0030] Furthermore, parts 203a and 203b, along with the connecting portion 313, are also inserted from both sides into the ring-shaped connecting portion 361 of part 206. Similar to the fitting into the connecting portion 313, the other cylindrical portion of part 203a with a hole and the other rod portion of part 203b are each inserted into the connecting portion 361, and the rod portion enters the hole and is fitted into place. These fitting portions also form one of the movable axes (second movable axis) of the elbow joint.

[0031] Figure 6A(b) shows the forearm 200 with parts 201, 202, 203a, 203b, and 206 assembled, while the other parts are disassembled and not attached. From this state, parts 204a and 204b are further attached to the assembled group of parts from both sides. Specifically, the cylindrical part with a hole in part 204a and the rod part of part 204b are inserted into the ring-shaped connecting part 312 of part 201, and the rod part enters the hole and is fitted into place. These fitted parts also form one of the movable axes (first movable axis) of the elbow joint. In addition, the multiple protrusions formed on parts 204a and 204b are fitted into the recesses formed on parts 201 and 203, respectively.

[0032] Figure 6B(a) shows the assembled parts 201, 202, 203a, 203b, 204a, 204b, and 206, with part 205 disassembled and not yet installed. In this state, the exterior parts 204a and 204b are attached to parts 201 and 202, covering at least a portion of parts 201 and 202. In this state, the rotation of part 202 in the d2 direction relative to part 201 is restricted and fixed. More specifically, the inner walls of the exterior parts 204a and 204b abut against a flat portion provided on the outer wall surface of part 202, physically preventing the rotation of part 202. If part 202 cannot rotate in the d2 direction relative to part 201, the projection 322 cannot pass through the notch 314, resulting in a firmly locked state. Furthermore, since the second opening of the insertion hole 321 of part 202 is exposed, the spherical connecting portion 351 of part 205 can be attached to this opening.

[0033] Figure 6B(b) shows part 205 connected to the group of parts. In this state, part 205 is connected so as to be rotatable in multiple directions. Part 205 is attached to the group of parts, including parts 201 and 202, in direction d1 and removed in direction d3. As mentioned above, the design prevents it from being easily pulled out due to the configuration of the overpass part 323, etc. Therefore, some load is applied when attaching or detaching part 205. However, as mentioned above, parts 201 and 202 are fixed in place by a locking mechanism, so the disassembly of the group of parts due to the attachment or detachment of part 205 can be prevented.

[0034] As described above, the model toy according to this embodiment comprises a first part having a first connecting portion, a second part having a second connecting portion, and a third part covering at least a portion of the first part and the second part. By inserting the second part into the first part in a first direction and rotating it in a second direction, which is the circumferential direction with the first direction as the axis of rotation, the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are fitted together and prevented from coming loose. By attaching the third part, the rotation by the second part is restricted and fixed.

[0035] <Variation> The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the invention. In the above embodiments, a configuration was described in which part 201 is provided with a notch 314 and a recess 315 on the connecting portion 311, and part 202 is provided with an insertion hole 321 and a projection 322. However, part 201 may be provided with an insertion hole and a projection inside it, and part 202 may be provided with a notch on the connecting portion and a recess.

[0036] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, for example, an example of applying the parts connection configuration according to the present invention to the arm (forearm) of a model toy was described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto and may be applied to other parts including joints such as the leg (lower leg). Also, the shape of the model toy is not particularly limited and includes various shapes with movable axes such as people, animals, robots, vehicles (trains, cars, airplanes, etc.), dinosaurs, etc.

[0037] <Summary of Embodiments> The above embodiments disclose at least the following model parts toys and model toys. (1) Model parts, A first part having a first connecting portion, A second part having a second connecting portion, A third part that covers at least a portion of the first and second parts and Equipped with, By inserting the second part into the first part in a first direction and rotating it in a second direction, which is the circumferential direction with the first direction as the axis of rotation, the first connecting part and the second connecting part are fitted together and prevented from coming loose. A model part in which the rotation of the second part is restricted and fixed by attaching the third part. (2) The first connecting portion has a restricting portion having a notch and a recess formed on the inner side of the restricting portion in the first direction, The model part according to (1), wherein the second connecting portion has an insertion hole and a projection having a shape that allows it to pass through the notch provided inside the insertion hole. (3) When the second part is inserted into the first part in the first direction, the projection passes through the notch and is inserted into the recess. The model part according to (2), wherein when the second part is rotated relative to the first part in the second direction, the projection moves inside the recess, and the projection comes into contact with the portion of the restricting part other than the notch, thereby restricting the movement of the projection in the direction opposite to the first direction. (4) The model part according to (2) or (3), wherein the recess has a limiting portion formed therein that restricts the range in which the projection moves within the recess. (5) The insertion hole is a through hole that penetrates from the first opening to the second opening. The first part is inserted into the first opening. A model part according to any one of (2) to (4), wherein a fourth part having a spherical connecting portion is rotatably connected to the second opening. (6) The model part according to (5), wherein a crossover portion is formed inside the insertion hole through which the spherical connecting portion passes when inserted. (7) The first part has a third connecting portion at the other end opposite to the end on which the first connecting portion is provided, A model part according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the fifth part is rotatably connected to the third connecting part. (8) The first part forms the forearm of the model toy. The adjacent part 2 forms the wrist of the model toy. The third part is a model part described in any one of (1) to (7) that forms the exterior. (9) The first part described above forms the lower leg of the model toy. The second part forms the ankle of the toy model. The third part is a model part described in any one of (1) to (7) that forms the exterior. (10) It is a model toy, A first part having a first connecting portion, A second part having a second connecting portion, A third part that covers at least a portion of the first and second parts and Equipped with, By inserting the second part into the first part in a first direction and rotating it in a second direction, which is the circumferential direction with the first direction as the axis of rotation, the first connecting part and the second connecting part are fitted together and prevented from coming loose. A model toy in which the rotation of the second part is restricted and fixed by attaching the third part. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 100: Model toy, 101: Head, 102: Chest, 103a, 103b: Arms, 104: Waist, 105a, 105b: Legs, 200: Forearm, 201-206: Parts, 311-313: Connecting parts, 314: Notch, 315: Recess, 316, 321: Insertion hole, 322: Protrusion

Claims

1. Model parts, A first part having a first connecting portion, A second part having a second connecting portion, Two third parts covering at least a portion of the first and second parts and Equipped with, By inserting the second part into the first part in a first direction and rotating it in a second direction, which is the circumferential direction with the first direction as the axis of rotation, the first connecting part and the second connecting part are fitted together and prevented from coming loose. A model part in which the two third parts are mounted so as to sandwich at least a portion of the first part and the second part, and the rotation of the second part in the second direction is restricted and fixed by the inner wall of at least one of the two third parts contacting the outer wall of the second part.

2. The first connecting portion has a restricting portion having a notch and a recess formed on the inner side of the restricting portion in the first direction, The model part according to claim 1, wherein the second connecting portion has an insertion hole and a projection having a shape that allows it to pass through the notch provided inside the insertion hole.

3. When the second part is inserted into the first part in the first direction, the projection passes through the notch and is inserted into the recess. The model part according to claim 2, wherein when the second part is rotated relative to the first part in the second direction, the projection moves inside the recess, and the projection comes into contact with the portion of the restricting part other than the notch, thereby restricting the movement of the projection in the direction opposite to the first direction.

4. The model part according to claim 3, wherein the recess has a limiting portion formed therein that restricts the range in which the projection moves within the recess.

5. The aforementioned insertion hole is a through hole that penetrates from the first opening to the second opening. The first part is inserted into the first opening. A model part according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein a fourth part having a spherical connecting portion is rotatably connected to the second opening.

6. The model part according to claim 5, wherein a crossover portion is formed inside the insertion hole through which the spherical connecting portion passes when inserted.

7. The first part has a third connecting portion at the other end opposite to the end on which the first connecting portion is provided. The model part according to claim 5, wherein the fifth part is rotatably connected to the third connecting portion.

8. The first part forms the forearm of the model toy. The aforementioned part 2 forms the wrist of the model toy. The two third parts described above form the exterior of the model part according to claim 5.

9. The first part forms the lower leg portion of the model toy. The second part forms the ankle of the model toy. The two third parts described above form the exterior of the model part according to claim 5.

10. It is a model toy, A first part having a first connecting portion, A second part having a second connecting portion, Two third parts covering at least a portion of the first and second parts and Equipped with, By inserting the second part into the first part in a first direction and rotating it in a second direction, which is the circumferential direction with the first direction as the axis of rotation, the first connecting part and the second connecting part are fitted together and prevented from coming loose. A model toy in which the two third parts are mounted so as to sandwich at least a portion of the first and second parts, and the rotation of the second part in the second direction is restricted and fixed by the inner wall of at least one of the two third parts contacting the outer wall of the second part.

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