Model toy and movable structure body

Abstract

[Problem] The present invention provides, for example, a mechanism that realizes a novel structure for extending the range of motion of a model toy. [Solution] This model toy comprises: a first member that has at least a first connection portion and a second connection portion; a first part that is movably connected to the first connection portion; a second part that is movably connected to the second connection portion; and a third part that covers the first member and that is movable with respect to the first member.

Description

Model toys and movable structures

[0001] The present invention relates to a model toy and a movable structure.

[0002] To realize movements and poses similar to those of humans and animals, toy dolls (toy models) include various joints and movable parts. These mechanisms enable a variety of poses. However, providing a toy doll with the same number of joints as a human requires a large number of parts, which is difficult to achieve even with an elaborate toy doll due to the limited number of parts. Therefore, in order to realize the movements and poses described above, it is important to increase the range of motion of the joints and the parts connected to them while using fewer joints and parts. Increasing the range of motion allows for greater freedom of movement and a variety of poses. Patent Document 1 proposes a quadruped animal doll with a joint structure that enables realistic movements similar to those of a real animal.

[0003] JP 2010-17264 A

[0004] To achieve natural movements like those of human limbs, it is desirable for them to be able to rotate in various directions. However, by providing joints such as the neck, shoulder, hip, and waist inside the body, just like in humans, it is possible to achieve natural movements of the parts connected to those joints, but the range of motion is limited by the adjacent parts. Therefore, in order to expand the range of motion, it is important to secure space between adjacent parts in addition to a mechanism for expanding the range of motion.

[0005] The present invention provides a mechanism for realizing a novel structure for expanding the range of motion in, for example, a model toy.

[0006] The present invention is, for example, a model toy comprising a first member having at least a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion, a first part movably connected to the first connecting portion, a second part movably connected to the second connecting portion, and a third part covering the first member and movable relative to the first member.

[0007] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that, for example, it is a movable structure comprising a first connecting portion to which a first part of a model toy is movably connected, and a second connecting portion to which a second part of the model toy is movably connected, and the movable structure is covered by a third part of the model toy that is movable relative to the movable structure.

[0008] According to the present invention, a novel structure for expanding the range of motion can be realized.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of (a) the front exterior view and (b) the side exterior view of a model toy according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing (a) the front exterior view and (b) an exploded perspective view of the waist of a model toy according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of a movable frame (waist joint, hip joint) of a model toy according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the operation of the movable frame of a model toy according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is a front cross-sectional view of the waist of a model toy according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the operation of an exterior near the waist of a model toy according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the assembly configuration of the legs of a model toy according to an embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of operation of a model toy according to an embodiment.

[0010] 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.

[0011] <Appearance of Model Toy> An embodiment of the present invention will be described below. First, an example of the appearance of a 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. 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 other drawings.

[0012] The model toy (doll body) 100 includes a head 101, an upper body 102, arms 103a and 103b, a waist 104, and legs 105a and 105b. 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 parts. The head 101 is connected to the upper body 102 by a spherical connecting member (hereinafter also referred to as a ball joint). Arms 103, including a right arm 103a and a left arm 103b, are further connected to the upper body 102 by a spherical connecting member. A waist 104 is movably connected to the lower part of the upper body 102, and legs 105, including a right leg 105a and a left leg 105b, are further connected to the waist 104. In this embodiment, the term "movable" includes the ability to rotate or slide up, down, left, right, etc. The specific configuration will be described later.

[0013] In the following, a waist structure including a waist joint and a hip joint will be described as a movable structure (movable structure) according to this embodiment. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention, and the movable structure described below can be applied not only to the waist joint and the hip joint but also to other joints, such as a neck joint, a shoulder joint, or a chest joint.

[0014] <Configuration of waist region> Next, the detailed configuration of the waist region 104, including the waist joint and hip joint, of the model toy 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 2. Figure 2(a) shows a front view of the model toy 100. Figure 2(b) shows an exploded perspective view of a group of parts including multiple parts that make up the waist region 104. Figure 2(a) is a view similar to Figure 1(b), and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 2(b), the waist 104 is composed of parts 201 to 206, which are movably connected to the upper body 102 and to the legs 105a and 105b. The part 201 forms a movable frame (first member) that serves as the base for the waist joint and hip joint. The part 201 has a first connecting portion, a second connecting portion, and a third connecting portion, and each connecting portion is movably connected to a part 301 (described later) that serves as a base member. Details will be described later using FIG. 3.

[0016] Parts 202 to 204 form the exterior of waist 104, and are each inserted into each connecting portion of part 201. Part 205a is a gap part that is inserted into the connecting portion of part 201 that forms part of the hip joint. Part 206a, which is part of leg 105a, is movably connected to the connecting portion of part 201 that is exposed through gap part 205a. Another part of leg 105a is connected to the other end of part 206a, on the side opposite to the end connected to part 201.

[0017] The gap part 205a functions as a concealing part that hides the gap between the other parts that occurs when the part 206a rotates. The concealing function of the gap part 205a can eliminate the discomfort caused by the gap that occurs when the leg 105a rotates. The parts 205b and 206b have the same configuration as the parts 205a and 206a, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0018] <Detailed Configuration of Movable Frame> Next, the detailed configuration of the movable frame that forms the waist joint and hip joint of the model toy 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3(a) shows an exploded view of the parts that make up the movable frame. Fig. 3(b) shows a perspective view of part 201 that is the movable frame.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 3A, part 201 is composed of parts 301 to 304. Part 301 is the base part (base member) of the waist joint and hip joint. Part 301 includes three connecting parts 311, 312, and 313. Part 302 includes a spherical connecting part 321 for connecting to a part of upper body 102, and a cylindrical connecting part 322 for connecting to part 301. Part 303 includes a spherical connecting part 331 for connecting to a part of leg 105b, and a ring-shaped connecting part 332 for connecting to part 301. Part 304 includes a ring-shaped connecting part 341 for connecting to part 301, and a spherical connecting part 342 for connecting to a part of leg 105a.

[0020] Connection part 311 is formed in a ring shape, and is rotatably connected to connection part 322 of part 302, which is the second connecting part. Connection part 312 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and is rotatably connected to connection part 341 of part 304, which is the first connecting part. Connection part 313 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and is rotatably connected to connection part 332 of part 303, which is the third connecting part. Therefore, parts 302 to 304, which form the first connecting part to the second connecting part, are each rotatably connected to part 301.

[0021] FIG. 3B shows a perspective view of the movable frame with parts 301 to 304 connected. By assembling parts 302 to 304 to part 301, which is the base part, first and second connecting parts are formed, each extending in a different direction. As described above, each connecting part is formed in a spherical shape. Leg 105a is movably connected to the first connecting part. Leg 105b is movably connected to the third connecting part. Upper body 102 is movably connected to the second connecting part. In this embodiment, each part is movably connected because it is rotatably connected to each spherical connecting part and because part 201 (movable frame) including the connecting part is slidably covered by the exterior part of waist 104. It is sufficient that at least a portion of part 201 (movable frame) is covered by the exterior part of waist 104.

[0022] Thus, according to this embodiment, in the movable frame that forms the waist joint and hip joint, the first to third connecting parts are each rotatable, and the range of motion of the parts connected to the spherical connecting parts can be expanded. In other words, the parts connected to each connecting part are movably connected to the spherical connecting parts, and can further rotate in response to the rotation of the connecting parts themselves, thereby expanding the range of motion.

[0023] <Movement of Movable Frame> Next, the movement of the movable frame (waist joint and hip joint) according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4(a) shows the movement of parts 301 and 302, and Fig. 4(b) shows the movement of parts 303 and 304.

[0024] 4(a), in the movable frame of part 201, the portion connecting connecting portion 311 of part 301 and connecting portion 322 of part 302 serves as a rotation axis, allowing parts 301 and 302 to rotate relative to each other. As part 301 rotates, parts 303 and 304 connected to part 301 also rotate. Therefore, the second connecting portion (part 302) that forms the waist joint according to this embodiment can rotate in the front-to-rear direction of model toy 100.

[0025] 4B, the portion where connection portion 312 of part 301 and connection portion 341 of part 304 are connected forms a rotation axis, allowing part 304 to rotate relative to part 301. Similarly, although not shown, the portion where connection portion 313 of part 301 and connection portion 332 of part 303 are connected forms a rotation axis, allowing part 303 to rotate relative to part 301.

[0026] As described above, in the model toy 100 according to this embodiment, the first connecting portion (part 304) and the third connecting portion (part 303) that form the hip joints can each rotate in the up-and-down direction of the model toy 100. In other words, the first connecting portion and the third connecting portion have the same rotation axis. On the other hand, as described with reference to FIG. 4( a), the second connecting portion can rotate in the front-to-back direction of the model toy 100, and has a different rotation axis from the first connecting portion and the third connecting portion.

[0027] <Exterior Configuration> The configuration of the exterior parts according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 shows a cross-sectional view including parts of the waist 104 and the legs 105a and 105b. As described with reference to Fig. 2(b), parts 202 to 204 form the exterior parts of the model toy 100 near the waist 104.

[0028] 2B and 5, part 201, which is a movable frame, is inserted into part 202, and part 304 (first connecting portion) and part 303 (third connecting portion) of part 201 are exposed from left and right openings of part 202, respectively. Furthermore, parts 203 and 204, which constitute exterior parts, are inserted and overlapped on part 302 (second connecting portion) of part 201. Furthermore, parts 203 and 204 are assembled to part 202 by engaging portions (not shown).

[0029] As shown in FIG. 5 , when an exterior part is inserted into part 201, a space area indicated by 502 is secured below part 202. Using this space area 502, part 201 can slide in the direction indicated by the arrow. In other words, exterior parts including parts 202-204 are slidably connected to the rod-shaped second connecting part of part 201 in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 5 (the longitudinal direction of the second connecting part). This allows the exterior part to slide in the direction indicated by the arrow due to pressure from other parts. Therefore, while the range of motion of leg part 105 was previously limited by the exterior of waist part 104, by applying the configuration according to this embodiment, the exterior parts can slide in the direction indicated by the arrow in response to the movement of leg part 105, thereby expanding the range of motion.

[0030] 5, the connecting portion 311 of the part 301 and the connecting portion 322 of the part 302 are connected to form a spherical connecting portion. Therefore, the exterior part can rotate in all directions around the connecting portion as an axis. This allows the exterior part to rotate in accordance with the movement direction of the leg 105 in addition to the sliding direction.

[0031] <Operation of Exterior> The sliding operation of the exterior parts according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6(a) and Fig. 6(b) show perspective views of the waist portion 104.

[0032] Fig. 6(a) shows the state of the waist 104 in a normal state. In the normal state, a space exists between the parts 201 and 202. This space can be used to allow the exterior part to slide relative to the part 201. Fig. 6(b) shows a state in which the part 201 slides downward, and the exterior part slides upward relative to the part 201. In this state, the exterior part moves upward, expanding the predetermined space, and the upward movable range of the leg 105 connected to the hip joint can be increased.

[0033] <Connection of Leg to Hip Joint> The connection configuration of the leg 105 to the hip joint according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 7. Figure 7(a) shows an exploded perspective view of the movable frame and some of the connection parts of the leg 105b. Figure 7(b) shows the leg 105b rotated at the hip joint. Here, the connection configuration of the leg 105b to the hip joint will be described, but the connection configuration of the leg 105a is similar.

[0034] As shown in Figure 7(a) , gap parts 205b and 206b, which are parts of leg part 105b, are connected to the movable frame. In the assembly configuration, gap part 205b is rotatably connected to two holes in part 206b. After that, part 303, which is the third connecting part of part 201, is inserted into the opening of gap part 205b connected to part 206b. Note that other parts of leg part 105b are connected to part 206b.

[0035] Here, since the third connecting portion has a spherical shape, the leg portion 105b (gap part 205b) is rotatably connected to the third connecting portion. Furthermore, the part 206b is rotatably connected to the gap part 205b.

[0036] Figure 7(b) shows the part 206b rotated in the direction of the arrow. When the part 206b is rotated, a gap appears between the part 201 that forms the hip joint and an exterior part (not shown). However, in the model toy 100 according to this embodiment, as shown in the dotted line area in Figure 7(b), it can be seen that the gap part 205b is positioned so as to hide the gap that appears when the part 206b is rotated. This makes it possible to effectively hide the gap that appears as the model toy 100 moves, and avoids giving an unnatural impression.

[0037] <Operation Example> An operation example of the model toy 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8(a) and Fig. 8(b) show the state when the leg portion 105 of the model toy 100 is operated.

[0038] 8A shows a kicking motion of the model toy 100. In this kicking motion, the left leg 105a is swung straight up. At this time, the exterior parts move upward following the movement of the left leg 105a. This expands the range of motion of the left leg 105a, enabling the left leg 105a to be swung up significantly, resulting in a more dynamic kicking motion.

[0039] 8(b) shows the kneeling posture of the model toy 100. In this kneeling posture, the upper thigh of the left leg 105a is bent upward significantly, and the exterior parts move upward in response to this movement. This expands the range of motion of the left leg 105a, allowing the upper thigh of the left leg 105a to be bent significantly, thereby achieving a natural kneeling pose.

[0040] As described above, the model toy according to this embodiment includes a first member having at least a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion, a first part movably connected to the first connecting portion, a second part movably connected to the second connecting portion, and a third part covering the first member and movable relative to the first member. The first member further includes a third connecting portion, and the model toy further includes a fourth part movably connected to the third connecting portion. This embodiment provides a mechanism for realizing a novel structure for expanding the range of motion in the model toy.

[0041] <Modifications> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and alterations are possible within the scope of the gist of the invention. In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the movable structure is applied to a waist joint including a hip joint is described, 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 a neck joint or a shoulder joint.

[0042] Although the example of a model toy has been described, the shape of the model toy (doll body) is not particularly limited and includes various shapes such as people, animals, robots, insects, dinosaurs, imaginary life forms, etc. Furthermore, the shape of the model toy is not particularly limited as long as it has a form that includes a movable part.

[0043] <Summary of Embodiments> The above embodiments disclose at least the following model toys and movable structures: (1) A model toy comprising: a first member having at least a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion; a first part movably connected to the first connecting portion; a second part movably connected to the second connecting portion; and a third part covering the first member and movable relative to the first member. (2) The model toy described in (1), wherein the first member further has a third connecting portion, and the model toy further comprises a fourth part movably connected to the third connecting portion. (3) The model toy described in (2), wherein the first member further has a base member to which the first connecting portion, the second connecting portion, and the third connecting portion are connected, and the first connecting portion, the second connecting portion, and the third connecting portion are each rotatable relative to the base member. (4) The model toy described in (3), characterized in that the first connecting portion and the third connecting portion have the same rotation axis, and the second connecting portion has a rotation axis different from the rotation axes of the first connecting portion and the third connecting portion. (5) The model toy described in (3) or (4), characterized in that the first connecting portion and the third connecting portion are rotatable in the up-and-down direction of the model toy, and the second connecting portion is rotatable in the front-and-rear direction of the model toy. (6) The model toy described in any one of (2) to (5), characterized in that the second connecting portion is formed in a rod shape, and the third part is slidable along the longitudinal direction of the rod-shaped second connecting portion. (7) The model toy described in any one of (2) to (6), characterized in that when at least one of the first part and the fourth part rotates in a predetermined direction and abuts against the third part, the third part slides in the predetermined direction in response to pressure from at least one of the first part and the fourth part. (8) The model toy according to any one of (2) to (6), further comprising gap parts for filling gaps between the first part and the fourth part and other parts that are generated when the first part and the fourth part rotate. (9) The model toy according to (8), characterized in that the gap parts are rotatably inserted between the first part and the first connecting part or between the fourth part and the third connecting part.(10) The model toy described in any one of (2) to (9), wherein the first member forms a waist joint and a hip joint of the model toy, the first part forms the left leg of the model toy, the fourth part forms the right leg of the model toy, the second part forms the upper body of the model toy, and the third part forms the exterior of the waist of the model toy. (11) A movable structure comprising: a first coupling part to which a first part of the model toy is movably coupled; and a second coupling part to which a second part of the model toy is movably coupled, wherein the movable structure is covered by a third part of the model toy that is movable relative to the movable structure. (12) The movable structure described in (11), further comprising: a third coupling part to which a fourth part of the model toy is coupled; and a base member to which the first coupling part, the second coupling part, and the third coupling part are connected, wherein the first coupling part, the second coupling part, and the third coupling part are each rotatable relative to the base member.

[0044] 100: Model toy, 101: Head, 102: Upper body, 103a, 103b: Arms, 104: Waist, 105a, 105b: Legs

Claims

1. A model toy comprising: a first member having at least a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion; a first part movably connected to the first connecting portion; a second part movably connected to the second connecting portion; and a third part covering the first member and movable relative to the first member.

2. The model toy according to claim 1, characterized in that the first member further has a third connecting portion, and the model toy further comprises a fourth part movably connected to the third connecting portion.

3. The model toy described in claim 2, characterized in that the first member further has a base member to which the first connecting portion, the second connecting portion, and the third connecting portion are connected, and the first connecting portion, the second connecting portion, and the third connecting portion are each rotatable relative to the base member.

4. The model toy according to claim 3, characterized in that the first connecting part and the third connecting part have the same rotation axis, and the second connecting part has a rotation axis different from the rotation axes of the first connecting part and the third connecting part.

5. The model toy according to claim 4, characterized in that the first connecting part and the third connecting part are rotatable in the up-down direction of the model toy, and the second connecting part is rotatable in the front-rear direction of the model toy.

6. The model toy described in any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the second connecting portion is formed in a rod shape, and the third part is slidable along the longitudinal direction of the rod-shaped second connecting portion.

7. The model toy described in claim 6, characterized in that when at least one of the first part and the fourth part rotates in a predetermined direction and abuts against the third part, the third part slides in the predetermined direction in response to pressure from at least one of the first part and the fourth part.

8. The model toy according to claim 6, further comprising gap parts for filling gaps between the first part and the fourth part and other parts that occur when the first part and the fourth part rotate.

9. The model toy according to claim 8, characterized in that the gap part is rotatably inserted between the first part and the first connecting part, or between the fourth part and the third connecting part.

10. The model toy described in claim 6, characterized in that the first member forms a waist joint and a hip joint of the model toy, the first part forms the left leg of the model toy, the fourth part forms the right leg of the model toy, the second part forms the upper body of the model toy, and the third part forms the exterior of the waist of the model toy.

11. A movable structure comprising: a first connecting portion to which a first part of a model toy is movably connected; and a second connecting portion to which a second part of the model toy is movably connected, wherein the movable structure is covered by a third part of the model toy that is movable relative to the movable structure.

12. The movable structure described in claim 11, further comprising a third connecting part connected to a fourth part of the model toy, and a base member to which the first connecting part, the second connecting part, and the third connecting part are connected, wherein the first connecting part, the second connecting part, and the third connecting part are each rotatable relative to the base member.

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