Model toy and movable structure body

Abstract

[Problem] The present invention provides a novel mechanism for a movable mechanism of a model toy, for example. [Solution] This model toy comprises: a base part having a first connection part and a second connection part and a rotation shaft; a first part connected to the base part via the first connection part so as to be rotatable in a first direction; and a second part connected to the base part via the second connection part so as to be rotatable in a second direction different from the first direction around the rotation shaft of the base part.

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 realize natural movements like those of human limbs, it is desirable for them to be able to rotate in various directions. However, in model toys, elbow joints, knee joints, etc. generally rotate only in a predetermined direction. In such model toys, it is difficult to realize the bending and twisting movements that occur in human limbs.

[0005] The present invention provides, for example, a novel mechanism for a movable mechanism in a model toy.

[0006] The present invention is a model toy characterized by comprising: a base part having a first connecting portion, a second connecting portion, and a rotation axis; a first part rotatably connected to the base part via the first connecting portion in a first direction; and a second part connected to the base part via the second connecting portion and rotatable in a second direction different from the first direction around the rotation axis of the base part.

[0007] The present invention is also characterized in that it provides, for example, a movable structure for a model toy, comprising a base part having a first connecting portion, a second connecting portion, and a rotation axis, a first part rotatably connected to the base part via the first connecting portion in a first direction, and a second part connected to the base part via the second connecting portion and rotatable in a second direction different from the first direction around the rotation axis of the base part.

[0008] According to the present invention, for example, a novel mechanism for a movable mechanism in a model toy can be provided.

[0009] (a) A diagram showing a front view of the left leg of a model toy according to one embodiment, and (b) a side view of the left leg. (a) An exploded side view of the left leg of a model toy according to one embodiment, and (b) an exploded perspective view of a part of the left arm. (b) An exploded perspective view of a joint portion of the left leg of a model toy according to one embodiment. (c) A diagram showing a rotational movement of the joint portion of the left leg of a model toy according to one embodiment. (d) A diagram showing a movement of the left leg of a model toy according to one 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 Left Leg of Model Toy> First, the left leg incorporated in the model toy according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1(a) shows the front appearance of the left leg 100 of the model toy, and Fig. 1(b) shows the side appearance of the left leg 100 of the model toy. Note that the x, y, and z arrows indicate the upward, left, and forward directions of the model toy, respectively, and this also applies to the other drawings.

[0012] The left leg 100 includes an upper thigh 101, a knee joint 102, a lower leg 103, and a foot 104. In this embodiment, a humanoid robot is used as an example of a model toy, but this is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, and the present invention can be applied to various models such as humans, animals, robots, insects, dinosaurs, weapons, and ornaments. The right leg is not shown, but is formed bilaterally symmetrically to the left leg and has a similar configuration, so its description will be omitted.

[0013] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to the legs of a model toy will be described, but a similar configuration can also be applied to the arms, neck, waist, etc. of a model toy. In particular, in the arms, the upper arm, elbow joint, forearm, and hand can be realized as a configuration corresponding to the upper thigh, knee joint, lower leg, and foot of the legs, respectively.

[0014] The upper leg 101 is rotatably connected to the knee joint 102. The lower leg 103 is further rotatably connected to the knee joint 102. Furthermore, the foot 104 is connected to the lower part of the lower leg 103 by a spherical connecting part. The knee joint 102 according to this embodiment rotatably connects the upper leg 101, which is a first part, to the lower leg 103, which is a second part, in a first direction, that is, the vertical direction of the model toy. Furthermore, the knee joint 102 connects the upper leg 101 and the lower leg 103 in a second direction, that is, the horizontal direction of the model toy, which is different from the first direction. Details of these rotation mechanisms will be described later.

[0015] <Configuration around the knee joint> Next, the configuration around the knee joint of the left leg 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 2. Figure 2(a) shows a side view of the left leg 100 disassembled into three parts. Figure 2(b) shows the exploded configuration of a portion of the left leg 100. Here, the configuration of the left leg 100 will be described, but the configuration of the right leg (not shown) will not be described because it has the same configuration as the left leg.

[0016] Reference numeral 200 denotes the area surrounding the knee joint of the left leg 100. As shown in FIG. 2B, the area surrounding the knee joint 200 is made up of parts 201 to 211. Part 201 is a base part of the knee joint, and parts 202a and 202b, which form part of the upper leg, are connected to sandwich part 201 from both sides. Furthermore, parts 203a and 203b, which form part of the lower leg, are connected to sandwich part 201 from both sides.

[0017] Part 211, which forms part of upper leg 101, is rotatably connected to the top of parts 202a and 202b. Part 211 is further connected to other parts of upper leg 101. Part 210 is rotatably connected to the bottom of parts 203a and 203b, forming the ankle. Part 210 is further rotatably connected to foot 104. Parts 206 to 209 are exterior parts for the legs.

[0018] <Configuration of Each Part> Next, each part that configures the rotation mechanism in the knee joint of the left leg 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 shows an exploded perspective view of each part.

[0019] Part 201, which is the base part, is configured to include a rod-shaped rotation axis 311, a ring-shaped connecting part 312, and a protrusion 313 formed on the outer periphery of rotation axis 311. Protrusion 313 is fitted into a recess 331a formed in part 203a. Recess 331a is formed to be larger than protrusion 313, and does not restrict the rotation of part 201.

[0020] Note that part 203b also has a similar recess (not shown), and when part 201 is sandwiched between parts 203a and 203b, protrusion 313 of part 201 is rotatably fitted into these recesses. Part 201 rotates around rotation axis 311 in the horizontal direction (second direction) of the model toy.

[0021] Cylindrical connecting portion 321a of part 202a is inserted into connecting portion 312 of part 201. The inserted connecting portion 321a then passes through ring-shaped connecting portion 312 and is connected to part 202b on the opposite side. In this way, parts 202a and 202b are rotatably connected so as to sandwich part 201 therebetween.

[0022] Similar to connecting portion 321a, cylindrical connecting portion 322a is formed on part 202a. Connecting portion 322a is inserted into and passes through ring-shaped connecting portion 341 provided on part 211, and is connected to part 202b on the opposite side. In other words, parts 202a and 202b are rotatably connected to each other so as to sandwich part 211 in addition to part 201.

[0023] The rotation mechanisms with the connecting parts 321 a, 322 a as the rotation axes can rotate the parts 201, 211 connected to the connecting parts 321 a, 322 a in the vertical direction (first direction) of the model toy. In other words, these rotation mechanisms realize the rotation of the leg at a normal knee joint by a two-stage rotational movement, thereby expanding the range of motion.

[0024] Note that as part 201 rotates around rotation axis 311, parts 202a, 202b, and 211 connected to connecting portion 312 also rotate. Therefore, the knee joint according to this embodiment can realize rotational movements in two directions: a first direction (vertical direction) of the model toy, and a second direction (horizontal direction) different from the first direction. The second direction is, for example, approximately 90 degrees different from the first direction. This allows the "flexibility" of the legs to be expressed, for example, and allows the expression of a dramatic "leg flex" in movements such as a high kick to be expressed in more detail below using FIG. 5 .

[0025] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above rotation direction, and the rotation direction can be determined in any direction depending on the position the rotation mechanism is employed in. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the second direction is defined as a direction that is approximately 90 degrees different from the first direction in order to realize the "bending" and "twisting" movements in the model toy, but the present invention does not limit these angles, and the rotation direction can be any angle depending on the movement to be realized.

[0026] <Rotational Movement> Next, various rotational movements of the left leg 100 of the model toy according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. Figures 4(a) and 4(b) show rotational movements of the leg in a first direction (vertical direction). Figure 4(c) shows rotational movements of the leg in a second direction (horizontal direction). Figure 5 explains posing using multiple rotational movements of the left leg. Note that although parts 202 and 203 in Figures 4(a) to 4(c) are each made up of two parts, only parts 202a and 203a on the right side are shown here for ease of explanation.

[0027] 4(a), part 211 can rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow (first direction) around rotation axis 401. Rotation axis 401 is formed by inserting cylindrical connecting portion 322a of part 202a into ring-shaped connecting portion 341 of part 211. In response to this rotation, the parts of upper leg 101 connected to part 201 can rotate in the vertical direction (up and down direction) of the model toy.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 4( b), part 202a can rotate around rotation axis 402 in the direction indicated by the arrow (first direction). Rotation axis 402 is formed by inserting cylindrical connecting portion 321a of part 202a into ring-shaped connecting portion 312 of part 201. In response to this rotation, the upper leg 101 parts connected to part 201 can rotate in the vertical direction (up and down) of the model toy. Therefore, rotation occurs in the same direction as the rotation shown in FIG. 4( a), thereby expanding the range of motion of the knee joint of the model toy. As shown in FIG. 4( b), the knee joint can be rotated to a position where the leg is folded.

[0029] As shown in Figure 4(c), part 201 can rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow (second direction) around rod-shaped rotation axis 311. This rotation can be performed within the range sandwiched between parts 203a and 203b. This rotation also causes the parts of upper leg 101 connected to part 201 to rotate in conjunction with it.

[0030] In response to this rotational movement, part 201 can rotate in the horizontal direction (left and right direction) of the model toy relative to connected parts 203 a and 203 b. In this way, in the model toy according to this embodiment, the knee joint can rotate in two directions, a first direction and a second direction different from the first direction, allowing for more natural posing and movement.

[0031] Fig. 5(a) shows the left leg 100 before rotation. Fig. 5(b) shows the state in which the lower leg 103 and foot 104 have been rotated in the direction of the arrow around the rotation axis 311 from the state in Fig. 5(a). In this way, in addition to the leg bending and stretching movements achieved by normal knee joint rotation, the model toy according to this embodiment can also perform rotation movements in directions different from the bending and stretching movements. As a result, for example, when performing a pose such as a high kick with the model toy, a twisting movement as shown in Fig. 5(b) can be performed to reproduce the bending of the leg, allowing for more realistic posing.

[0032] As described above, the model toy according to this embodiment includes a base part having a first connecting portion, a second connecting portion, and a rotation axis; a first portion rotatably connected to the base part via the first connecting portion in a first direction; and a second portion rotatably connected to the base part via the second connecting portion and rotatable around the rotation axis of the base part in a second direction different from the first direction. Thus, according to this embodiment, a joint mechanism capable of rotating in two directions can be realized in a joint structure provided in a model toy. This allows the legs, arms, etc. to perform "flexing" and "twisting" movements, resulting in more dramatic movements. Thus, according to this embodiment, a novel mechanism for a movable mechanism in, for example, a model toy can be provided.

[0033] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, 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, dinosaurs, etc.

[0034] <Summary of Embodiments> The above embodiments disclose at least the following model toys and movable structures: (1) A model toy comprising: a base part having a first connecting portion, a second connecting portion, and a rotation axis; a first part rotatably connected to the base part via the first connecting portion in a first direction; and a second part connected to the base part via the second connecting portion and rotatable in a second direction different from the first direction around the rotation axis of the base part. (2) The model toy described in (1), wherein the first connecting portion has a ring shape, the first part includes first and second parts, and the first and second parts are connected to each other so as to sandwich the base part, and a third connecting portion formed on one of the first and second parts is inserted into the first connecting portion. (3) The model toy described in (2), characterized in that the rotation shaft has a rod shape, the second connecting portion is a protrusion formed on the outer periphery of the rotation shaft, the second part includes third and fourth parts that are connected to sandwich the base part between them, and the third and fourth parts have recesses formed therein to which the protrusion is rotatably connected. (4) The model toy described in any one of (1) to (3), characterized in that it further includes a third part that is rotatably connected to the first part in the first direction. (5) The model toy described in (4), characterized in that the first part and the third part form an upper thigh of a leg of the model toy, and the second part forms a lower thigh of the leg of the model toy. (6) The model toy described in (4), characterized in that the first part and the third part form an upper arm of an arm of the model toy, and the second part forms a forearm of the arm of the model toy. (7) The model toy according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the first direction is a vertical direction of the model toy and the second direction is a horizontal direction of the model toy. (8) The model toy according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the first direction and the second direction are different in orientation by approximately 90 degrees.(9) A movable structure for a model toy, comprising: a base part having a first connecting portion, a second connecting portion, and a rotation axis; a first part connected to the base part via the first connecting portion so as to be rotatable in a first direction; and a second part connected to the base part via the second connecting portion and rotatable in a second direction different from the first direction around the rotation axis of the base part.

[0035] 100: Left leg, 101: Upper leg, 102: Knee joint, 103: Lower leg, 104: Foot

Claims

1. A model toy, comprising: a base part having a first connecting part, a second connecting part, and a rotating shaft; a first part rotatably connected to the base part in a first direction via the first connecting part; and a second part connected to the base part via the second connecting part and rotatable about the rotating shaft of the base part in a second direction different from the first direction.

2. The model toy according to claim 1, wherein the first connecting part has a ring shape, the first part includes first and second parts, the first and second parts are connected so as to sandwich the base part therebetween, and a third connecting part formed on one of the first and second parts is inserted into the first connecting part.

3. The model toy according to claim 2, wherein the rotating shaft has a rod shape, the second connecting part is a protrusion formed on the outer periphery of the rotating shaft, the second part includes third and fourth parts, the third and fourth parts are connected so as to sandwich the base part therebetween, and recesses are formed in the third and fourth parts for rotatably connecting the protrusion.

4. The model toy according to claim 3, further comprising a third part rotatably connected to the first part in the first direction.

5. The model toy according to claim 4, wherein the first part and the third part form an upper leg portion of a leg of the model toy, and the second part forms a lower leg portion of a leg of the model toy.

6. The model toy according to claim 4, wherein the first part and the third part form an upper arm portion of an arm of the model toy, and the second part forms a forearm portion of an arm of the model toy.

7. The model toy according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first direction is a vertical direction of the model toy, and the second direction is a horizontal direction of the model toy.

8. The model toy according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first direction and the second direction are approximately 90 degrees different in orientation.

9. A movable structure of a model toy, comprising: a base part having a first connecting part, a second connecting part, and a rotation axis; a first part rotatably connected to the base part in a first direction via the first connecting part; and a second part connected to the base part via the second connecting part and rotatable about the rotation axis of the base part in a second direction different from the first direction.

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