Model toy and decorative component

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a novel mechanism for suitably attaching a decorative component to, for example, a model toy. [Solution] This model toy comprises a first part (106b) that has a first connection part (201), a second part (106a) that has a second connection part (201), and a third part (501) that has a third connection part (502) that connects to the first connection part or the second connection part. The third connection part can be attached to and detached from the third part in a first direction and a second direction that is opposite the first direction. As attached in the first direction, the third connection part connects to the first connection part of the first part, and as attached in the second direction, the third connection part connects to the second connection part of the second part.

Description

Model toys and decorative parts

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

[0002] A doll-type toy (model toy) can be fitted with decorative parts such as weapons. For example, the decorative parts are attached to the hand parts of the model toy in a gripping manner. Patent Document 1 proposes a toy hand part that makes the expression of the gripping hand of the model toy more natural.

[0003] Patent No. 7093904

[0004] In the above-mentioned conventional technology, the expression of a hand grip is natural, but when a decorative part such as a weapon is held by the hand part, grip strength is required. In order to increase grip strength, the knuckles must be bent stiffly, which may make the part difficult to handle. On the other hand, if the grip strength is weak, the decorative part will frequently fall off, which is annoying.

[0005] It is also conceivable to attach decorative accessories to a model toy by providing holes in the model toy to ensure gripping power and inserting rods extending from the decorative parts into the holes. However, if holes that do not exist on humans or animals are provided, the holes will be exposed when the decorative parts are not attached, resulting in an unnatural appearance.

[0006] The present invention provides a novel mechanism for suitably attaching decorative parts to, for example, model toys.

[0007] The present invention is characterized in that, for example, a model toy comprises a first part having a first connecting portion, a second part having a second connecting portion, and a third part having a third connecting portion that connects to the first connecting portion or the second connecting portion, the third connecting portion being attachable to and detachable from the third part in a first orientation and a second orientation opposite to the first orientation, the third connecting portion attached in the first orientation being connected to the first connecting portion of the first part, and the third connecting portion attached in the second orientation being connected to the second connecting portion of the second part.

[0008] The present invention also provides, for example, a decorative part to be attached to a model toy comprising a first part having a first connecting portion and a second part having a second connecting portion, the decorative part comprising a main body part and a third connecting portion that connects to the first connecting portion or the second connecting portion, the third connecting portion being detachable from the main body part in a first orientation and a second orientation opposite to the first orientation, the third connecting portion attached in the first orientation being connected to the first connecting portion of the first part, and the third connecting portion attached in the second orientation being connected to the second connecting portion of the second part.

[0009] According to the present invention, a novel mechanism for appropriately attaching decorative parts to a model toy can be provided.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of (a) the front exterior and (b) the side exterior of one form of a model toy according to one embodiment. (a) A side view and (b) an exploded perspective view of a hand part of a model toy according to one embodiment. (a) A bottom view and (b) a perspective view of a rib member of a hand part according to one embodiment. (a) A bottom cross-sectional view of a hand part according to one embodiment, (a) and (b) a bottom cross-sectional view with the rib member operated. (a) A side view and (b) a side view of a decorative part according to one embodiment with the grip member detached. A diagram showing the configuration of a grip of a decorative part according to one embodiment. A diagram showing how decorative accessories are attached to a model toy according to one embodiment.

[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 appearance of the model toy 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1(a) shows the front appearance of the model toy 100, and Fig. 1(b) shows the side appearance of the model toy 100. Note that 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 chest 102, arms 103a and 103b, legs 104a and 104b, and a waist 105, which constitute a main body. In this embodiment, a humanoid robot is used as an example of a model toy, but this is not intended to limit the present invention, and the present invention can be applied to various models such as humans, animals, robots, insects, dinosaurs, weapons, and ornaments.

[0014] The head 101 is connected to the chest 102. The right arm 103b and the left arm 103a are further connected to the chest 102 at the sides by connecting members, and the waist 105 is connected at the bottom. The waist 105 includes hip joints, and the right leg 104b and the left leg 104a are each rotatably connected thereto. Furthermore, as shown in the dotted rectangular area, the right arm 103b and the left arm 103a include a right hand part 106b and a left hand part 106a at their tips, respectively. Note that hereinafter, the portion including the head 101 and the chest 102 will be referred to as the upper body.

[0015] <Configuration of Hand Parts> Next, the configuration of the hand parts 106 of the model toy 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 2. Figure 2(a) shows a side view of the right hand part 106b. Figure 2(b) shows an exploded perspective view of the right hand part 106b shown in Figure 2(a). Here, the right hand part 106b will be used as an example of a hand part, but the left hand part 106a will not be described because it has a configuration symmetrical to the right hand part 106b. Note that the right hand part 106b corresponds to the first part, and the left hand part 106a corresponds to the second part.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2(b), the right-hand part 106b is composed of multiple parts 201 to 206. Part 201 is a rib member (first connecting part) that is inserted into a recess in the decorative part. The rib member included in the left-hand part 106a corresponds to the second connecting part. Parts 202 and 203 are assembled so as to sandwich part 201. Part 201 is assembled rotatably relative to parts 202 and 203.

[0017] Part 205 is a finger part corresponding to the index finger through little finger of the right hand. Part 206 is a finger part corresponding to the thumb of the right hand. The parts 205 and 206 that are connected to parts 202 and 203 are spherical, and are rotatably connected to the assembled parts 202 and 203. Part 204 is connected to parts 202 and 203, and the spherical connecting part is rotatably connected to the right arm.

[0018] <Configuration of Rib Member> Next, the configuration of the rib member included in the hand part according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3(a) shows a bottom view of rib member part 201. Fig. 3(b) shows a perspective view of rib member part 201 shown in Fig. 3(a). Here, rib member part 201 included in right hand part 106b will be described, but the rib member part included in left hand part 106a has a similar configuration.

[0019] The part 201 of the rib member is configured to include a rotation axis 301 and a protrusion 302. The rotation axis 301 is formed in a cylindrical shape and serves as the rotation axis when the part 201 rotates relative to the parts 202 and 203. The rotation operation will be described in detail later.

[0020] The protrusion 302 is a catch when rotating the part 201, and is intended to assist in starting the rotation action. The part 201 is normally stored inside the right-hand component, and in this state, the protrusion 302 is exposed from the right-hand component. Therefore, the part 201 can be rotated by using the protrusion 302.

[0021] <Movement of Rib> Next, the movement of the part 201 of the rib member in the right hand part 106b according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4(a) and Fig. 4(b) show bottom cross-sectional views of the part 201.

[0022] Fig. 4(a) shows a first state in which rib member part 201 is housed in right hand part 106b. In this first state, protrusion 302 is exposed from an opening formed in palm part 203 of right hand part 106b. Therefore, when protrusion 302 is hooked and a force is applied downward in the figure, part 201 rotates in the direction of the arrow around rotation axis 301, as shown in Fig. 4(b). Note that if protrusion 302 is not formed, although the side of part 201 is exposed from the opening, it is difficult to secure a position for applying force, making it difficult to perform the rotational movement.

[0023] In the rotated state (second state) shown in Figure 4(b), an area 401 of part 201 indicated by a dotted line is exposed and protrudes from the opening of part 203. This area 401 is connected to a connecting portion (third connecting portion) provided on the decorative component.

[0024] Thus, according to this embodiment, in the first state, part 201 of the rib member is housed in right hand component 106b, and only protrusion 302 is exposed from the opening of part 203. On the other hand, in the second state, which is rotated from the first state, a partial region 401 of the rib member is exposed to the outside from the opening of part 203. This exposed portion is inserted into a recess (connecting portion) of another part, maintaining the connection between right hand component 106 and the other part and increasing grip strength.

[0025] <Configuration of Decorative Part (Weapon)> The configuration of the decorative part according to this embodiment will now be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5(a) shows a side view of the decorative part. Fig. 5(b) shows a side view of Fig. 5(a) with the grip member removed.

[0026] The decorative part 501 is an example of a third part, and is a weapon part that is attached to the model toy 100. In this embodiment, a weapon part is used as an example of a decorative part, but this is not intended to limit the present invention. For example, other decorative parts, such as armor parts that can be attached to the model toy, may also be used. 502 denotes a grip portion of the decorative part 501. The grip portion 502 corresponds to the third connecting portion.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 5( b), the grip portion 502, which is the third connecting portion, is detachably attached to the main body part of the decorative part 501. The grip portion 502 is detachable from the main body part of the decorative part 501 in a first orientation and a second orientation opposite to the first orientation. More specifically, the second orientation of the grip portion 502 in FIG. 5 is an orientation in which the up-down direction is reversed 180 degrees from the first orientation without changing the front-to-back direction. Therefore, in the first orientation and the second orientation, the side surfaces of the grip portion 502 are inverted relative to each other. As will be described in detail later, one of the side surfaces has a recess formed thereon into which the region 401 of the part 201 is inserted. Meanwhile, the other surface, which is the reverse side of the one surface, is flat without having a recess formed thereon.

[0028] <Grip Configuration> Next, the configuration of the grip portion 502 of the decorative part according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 6. Figures 6(a) and (b) show side views of the grip portion 502. Figure 6(c) shows the assembly configuration of the grip portion 502 to the main body part of the decorative part.

[0029] Fig. 6(a) shows one side of the grip portion 502, and Fig. 6(b) shows the other side of the grip portion 502. A recess (groove) 602 is formed on one side of the grip portion 502. On the other hand, no recess is formed on the other side, which is formed as a flat surface. The above-mentioned region 401 (rib) of the part 201 is inserted into the recess 602. In other words, the decorative part 501 is attached to the hand part 106 of the model toy 100 by inserting a portion of the part 201, which is the rib member of the first or second connecting part, into the recess 602 of the third connecting part.

[0030] Therefore, the recess 602 formed on the one surface is covered by the hand part 106 and is not exposed to the outside. On the other hand, the other surface shown in Figure 6(b) is exposed to the outside. However, since the other surface does not have a recess (groove) and is flat, it does not affect the appearance in any way.

[0031] The grip portion 502 also has an insertion portion 601. As shown in FIG. 6( c), the insertion portion 601 is inserted into a recess 611 formed in the main body part of the decorative part 501, allowing the grip portion 502 to be attached to the main body part. According to this embodiment, the grip portion 502 is detachable in a first orientation and a second orientation, and therefore the shape of the insertion portion 601 is the same in the first orientation and the second orientation. Therefore, the grip portion 502 can be attached to the main body part in the two orientations described above. As a result, according to this embodiment, the decorative part 501 can be attached to either the left or right hand part, and the formed recess (groove) does not impair the appearance.

[0032] <Attaching the decorative part> Next, attaching the decorative part according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7(a) shows a side view of the decorative part. Fig. 7(b) is an enlarged view of the dotted line area in Fig. 7(a) showing the state in which the right hand part and the decorative part are connected.

[0033] 7(a) shows the area near the grip portion 502 of the decorative part 501. FIG. 7(b) shows an enlarged view of area 701 with the right hand part 106b connected. As shown in FIG. 7(b), when the hand part 106 and the decorative part 501 are connected, the recess 602 formed in the grip portion 502 is covered and hidden by the palm side. On the other hand, the other surface on which no recess is formed is exposed to the outside, even when the hand part 106 and the decorative part 501 are connected, and this creates an impression of the external appearance.

[0034] 7(b), the grip portion 502 attached in the first orientation is connected to the first connecting portion (rib) of the right hand component 106b, which is the first part. On the other hand, the grip portion 502 attached in the second orientation is connected to the second connecting portion (rib) of the left hand component 106a, which is the second part. Thus, according to this embodiment, by switching the orientation of the grip member 502 when it is attached, the decorative component 501 can be attached to either the left or right hand component, and the formed grooves are not exposed to the outside, which can avoid adversely affecting the appearance.

[0035] As described above, the model toy according to this embodiment comprises a first part (106b) having a first connecting portion (201), a second part (106a) having a second connecting portion (201), and a third part (501) having a third connecting portion (502) that connects to the first connecting portion or the second connecting portion. The third connecting portion is attachable to and detachable from the third part in a first orientation and a second orientation opposite to the first orientation. The third connecting portion attached in the first orientation is connected to the first connecting portion of the first part, and the third connecting portion attached in the second orientation is connected to the second connecting portion of the second part. This embodiment thus provides a novel mechanism for conveniently attaching decorative components to a model toy.

[0036] <Modifications> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the invention. For example, the shape of the model toy is not particularly limited, and includes various shapes such as people, animals, robots, insects, and dinosaurs.

[0037] Summary of Embodiments The above embodiments disclose at least the following model toys and decorative components: (1) A model toy comprising: a first part having a first connecting portion; a second part having a second connecting portion; and a third part having a third connecting portion connecting to the first connecting portion or the second connecting portion, wherein the third connecting portion is attachable to and detachable from the third part in a first orientation and a second orientation opposite to the first orientation, wherein the third connecting portion attached in the first orientation is connected to the first connecting portion of the first part, and the third connecting portion attached in the second orientation is connected to the second connecting portion of the second part. (2) The model toy described in (1), wherein the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are rotatably provided on each part, each having a rib inserted into the third connecting portion, and each rib is stored in the corresponding part in a first state and is exposed from the corresponding part in a second state rotated from the first state. (3) The model toy described in (2), characterized in that each rib has a protrusion, and the protrusion is exposed from each part in the first state. (4) The model toy described in (2) or (3), characterized in that the third connecting part has a recess into which the rib is inserted. (5) The model toy described in (4), characterized in that when the third connecting part is attached to the third part in the first orientation, the recess is exposed on a first surface of the third part, and when the third connecting part is attached to the third part in the second orientation, the recess is exposed on a second surface of the third part that is the reverse of the first surface. (6) The model toy described in (4) or (5), characterized in that the reverse surface of the surface on which the recess is formed in the third connecting part is flat. (7) The model toy described in any one of (1) to (6), characterized in that the first part is a right hand part of the model toy, the second part is a left hand part of the model toy, and the third part is a decorative part attached to the model toy.(8) A decorative component to be attached to a model toy comprising a first part having a first connecting portion and a second part having a second connecting portion, comprising: a main body part; and a third connecting portion connecting to the first connecting portion or the second connecting portion, the third connecting portion being attachable to and detachable from the main body part in a first orientation and a second orientation opposite to the first orientation, the third connecting portion attached in the first orientation being connected to the first connecting portion of the first part, and the third connecting portion attached in the second orientation being connected to the second connecting portion of the second part. (9) The decorative component according to (8), characterized in that the third connecting portion has recesses into which the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are inserted. (10) The decorative part according to (9), wherein when the third connecting part is attached to the main body part in the first orientation, the recess is exposed on a first surface of the main body part, and when the third connecting part is attached to the main body part in the second orientation, the recess is exposed on a second surface of the main body part that is the reverse side of the first surface. (11) The decorative part according to (9) or (10), wherein the reverse side of the surface on which the recess is formed in the third connecting part is a flat surface. (12) The decorative part according to any one of (8) to (11), wherein the decorative part is a weapon part attached to the model toy, and the third connecting part is a grip of the weapon part.

[0038] 100: Model toy, 101: Head, 102: Chest, 103a, 103b: Arms, 104a, 104b: Legs, 105: Waist, 106a, 106b: Hand parts

Claims

1. A model toy comprising: a first part having a first connecting portion; a second part having a second connecting portion; and a third part having a third connecting portion connecting to the first connecting portion or the second connecting portion, wherein the third connecting portion is attachable to and detachable from the third part in a first orientation and a second orientation opposite to the first orientation, wherein the third connecting portion attached in the first orientation is connected to the first connecting portion of the first part, and the third connecting portion attached in the second orientation is connected to the second connecting portion of the second part.

2. The model toy described in claim 1, characterized in that the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are rotatably provided on each part, each having a rib that is inserted into the third connecting portion, and each rib is stored in each part in the first state and is exposed from each part in the second state rotated from the first state.

3. The model toy according to claim 2, wherein each rib has a protrusion, and said protrusion is exposed from each part in said first state.

4. The model toy according to claim 3, wherein the third connecting portion has a recess into which the rib is inserted.

5. The model toy described in claim 4, characterized in that when the third connecting portion is attached to the third part in the first orientation, the recess is exposed to a first surface of the third part, and when the third connecting portion is attached to the third part in the second orientation, the recess is exposed to a second surface that is the reverse side of the first surface of the third part.

6. The model toy according to claim 5, characterized in that the surface of the third connecting portion on which the recess is formed is a flat surface.

7. A model toy as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the first part is a right hand part of the model toy, the second part is a left hand part of the model toy, and the third part is a decorative part attached to the model toy.

8. A decorative part to be attached to a model toy comprising a first part having a first connecting portion and a second part having a second connecting portion, the decorative part comprising: a main body part; and a third connecting portion connecting to the first connecting portion or the second connecting portion, the third connecting portion being attachable to and detachable from the main body part in a first orientation and a second orientation opposite to the first orientation, the third connecting portion attached in the first orientation being connected to the first connecting portion of the first part, and the third connecting portion attached in the second orientation being connected to the second connecting portion of the second part.

9. The decorative part according to claim 8, wherein the third connecting portion has recesses into which the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are inserted.

10. The decorative part described in claim 9, characterized in that when the third connecting portion is attached to the main body part in the first orientation, the recess is exposed to a first surface of the main body part, and when the third connecting portion is attached to the main body part in the second orientation, the recess is exposed to a second surface that is the reverse side of the first surface of the main body part.

11. The decorative part according to claim 10, characterized in that the reverse side of the surface on which the recess is formed in the third connecting portion is a flat surface.

12. The decorative part according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that the decorative part is a weapon part attached to the model toy, and the third connecting part is a grip of the weapon part.

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