Toy

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a toy with a high level of amusement. [Solution] Provided is a toy (1) comprising a first unit (10) which holds identification information, wherein: the first unit (10) is provided with a plurality of protrusions which constitute the identification information and a movable protrusion (15) which does not constitute the identification information and which can be moved; and a second unit (20) which can be attached to or detached from the first unit (10) detects the plurality of protrusions which constitute the identification information or the movable protrusion (15) so that an operation part (30) of the second unit (20) is operated. Since the second unit (20) which can be attached to the first unit (10) having the protrusions for the identification information and the movable protrusion (15) that does not constitute the identification information can detect the protrusions for the identification information and the movable protrusion (15), it is possible to facilitate a plurality of effects which are performed based on the association between the first unit (10) and the second unit (20).

Description

toy

[0001] The present invention relates to toys.

[0002] A conventional example of a device used in a toy is disclosed in Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 discloses an information processing system including an information retention medium that retains identification information and an information reading device that reads the identification information and operates in accordance with the read identification information, wherein the information retention medium includes a first information retention unit having at least one element that constitutes the identification information, and a second information retention unit that has at least one element that constitutes the identification information and is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein when the second information retention unit is located at the first position, the first identification information is constituted by the elements of the first information retention unit, and when the second information retention unit is located at the second position, the second identification information is constituted by the elements of the first information retention unit and the elements of the second information retention unit.

[0003] Patent No. 6605011

[0004] Patent Document 1 provides a toy that includes an information storage medium and an information processing system that can perform a variety of actions.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a toy that is more entertaining than ever before.

[0006] The toy of the present invention includes, for example, a first unit that holds identification information, and the first unit is provided with a plurality of protrusions that constitute the identification information and a movable protrusion that does not constitute the identification information, and a second unit that is detachable from the first unit detects the plurality of protrusions that constitute the identification information or the movable protrusion, thereby operating the operating part of the second unit.

[0007] According to the present invention, a highly entertaining toy can be provided.

[0008] 5 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of the toy of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the back side of the second unit shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the state in which the second unit is attached to the first unit. FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the second unit. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the state in which the first unit shown in FIG. 1 is transformed into a first form. FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a main part of the first movable part. FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a main part of the second movable part. FIG. 9 is an external perspective view showing a first form of the weapon which is different from the form shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 9 is a sectional perspective view of a main part for explaining the operation of the movable protrusion by the operating member. FIG. 10 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part for showing the operation of a specific detection element. FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of the bottom of the first unit shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing an example of a state in which the second unit is combined with another first unit.

[0009] A toy according to one embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of a toy 1 according to the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the back side of a second unit 20 shown in Fig. 1.

[0010] 1 and 2 is an item used by heroes in dramas, animations, etc. when they transform into characters, and is a so-called "role-playing toy" used to fully transform into the hero. This toy 1 has a configuration that imitates, for example, a vehicle-related structure, and uses two items, a first unit 10 and a second unit 20. The first unit 10 has a configuration that allows its appearance to be transformed as described below, and one of its forms is a shape that imitates, for example, the steering wheel of a racing car, with grips 10g at both ends that can be gripped by hand (a second form 2F different from the first form 1F shown in FIG. 5).

[0011] The second unit 20 has a main body 20a in the shape of a mechanical cube. The side of the main body 20a is provided with a pedal 20b resembling an accelerator, the front surface is provided with a meter 33 resembling a car meter, and the top surface is provided with a light-emitting unit 32 resembling a warning light (rotating light) attached to the top of a vehicle. The meter 33 and the light-emitting unit 32 are configured as operating units 30 capable of producing light effects using internal LEDs or the like. The second unit 20 has an item connector 20j on its back surface, as shown in FIG. 2 . Meanwhile, the main body 10a of the first unit 10 has a connector 10j in the center of its front side, and the item connector 20j is detachably attached to this connector 10j.

[0012] In the toy 1, the connecting portion 10j of the first unit 10 is provided with a plurality of protrusions constituting the identification information, namely, a first identification protrusion 11, a second identification protrusion 12, a third identification protrusion 13, and a fourth identification protrusion 14, which are appropriately arranged, as will be described in detail later. Also, unlike the protrusions 11, 12, 13, and 14, a movable protrusion 15 is provided, which does not constitute the identification information. As will be described later, this movable protrusion 15 can be moved left and right in the figure by an operating member 50 when the first unit 10 is deformed into a specific shape. The second unit 20 is also provided with a first detection element 21, a second detection element 22, and a third detection element 23 that detect the identification information of the first unit 10. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2 , the first detection element 21, the second detection element 22, and the third detection element 23 are arranged vertically in the figure. When the second unit 20 is attached to the first unit 10, the first detection element 21, the second detection element 22, and the third detection element 23 detect the first identification protrusion 11, the second identification protrusion 12, the third identification protrusion 13, and the fourth identification protrusion 14. This detection determines that it is the first unit 10 (identified by the number, arrangement, etc. of the protrusions).

[0013] When fitting the item connection portion 20j on the back side of the second unit 20 into the connection portion 10j of the first unit 10, the pair of upper and lower insertion rails 20ja of the second unit 20 are aligned with the inside of the pair of upper and lower fitting rails 10ja of the first unit 10 and slid in the direction of the arrow mark 10m. When the attachment of the second unit 20 is complete, the locking claw 10k, which had been pushed into the main body 10a by the sliding operation of the second unit 20, protrudes to the outer surface of the main body. As a result, the locking claw 10k engages with the end of the insertion rail 20ja, locking the second unit 20 so that it will not come off.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the first unit 10 with the second unit 20 attached. As shown in FIG. 3 , when the second unit 20 is attached to the first unit 10, the multiple detection elements 21, 22, and 23 identify the type of toy the first unit 10 is, as described above. This identification allows the output of a first action, such as a sound indicating that the second unit 20 is attached. For example, a predetermined effect corresponding to the type of first unit 10 is produced by the sound generating unit 31 (see FIG. 10 ), such as a speaker, or the light emitting unit 32, which constitutes the operation unit 30, as needed. Meanwhile, when the second unit 20 is attached, the lowest third detection element 23 is positioned in an operable position by the movable protrusion 15. The third detection element 23 is operated by the movable protrusion 15, as described below. When the second unit 20 is to be removed, the second unit 20 is placed in a removable state by pressing the unlock button 10f.

[0015] The second unit 20 includes, inside its main body 20a, a sound generating unit 31 (see FIG. 10 ), such as a speaker, for the operating unit 30 of the toy 1, a light emitting unit 32 (with a meter unit 33 functioning as the light emitting unit) simulating a warning light, and the like. That is, the second unit 20 includes a power supply unit 20q (see FIG. 10 ), and a control unit activates the operating unit 30 with pre-stored performance items to produce a predetermined performance. As an example of a performance, as shown in FIG. 3 , when the second unit 20 is attached / inserted into the first unit 10, an attachment sound is generated. Furthermore, when the first unit 10 is deformed (see FIGS. 5 and 8 ), the movable protrusion 15 can be operated to produce a predetermined performance.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the second unit 20. The second unit 20 includes, for example, a power supply unit 20q, a control board 20s (see FIG. 10 ) that holds the control unit and other components, and an operating unit 30 (sound-generating unit 31 and light-emitting unit 32), as described above, so that it can independently perform various effects as a transformation item. The pedal unit 20b includes a pedal shaft 20k extending toward the center of the main body 20a. A pressure spring 20t is provided at the lower end of the pedal shaft 20k to bias the pedal shaft 20k in the axial direction. The control board 20s is provided on the back side (see FIG. 10 ) of the pedal shaft 20k in FIG. 4. The control board 20s also includes multiple rubber switches (not shown). The rubber switches are operated by a pressing part 20u that moves back and forth when the pedal unit 20b on the side is pressed, and a swinging part 20r that swings back and forth when a push button 20d on the bottom surface is pressed. The rubber switches are operated to perform predetermined effects.

[0017] A space is formed inside the pedal shaft 20k, and a rack gear 20n is provided on the inner wall surface of the space along the axial direction. A pinion gear 20p journaled on the main body 20a meshes with the rack gear 20n. Therefore, by pressing the pedal 20b, the pinion gear 20p rotates. The axis of the pinion gear 20p supports the meter needle 33a of the meter unit 33, and the rotation of the pinion gear 20p rotates the meter needle 33a.

[0018] The push button 20d is in contact with a swinging part 20r arranged on its upper end side, and the upper end of this swinging part 20r is arranged so that it can come into contact with a rubber switch. By pressing the push button 20d, the rubber switch is pressed, thereby enabling a predetermined effect.

[0019] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the first unit 10 shown in FIG. 1 transformed into the first form. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a main portion of the first movable part 40. As described above, the first unit 10 is configured to be transformable into multiple forms. For example, the first form 1F shown in FIG. 5 is one state that mimics a weapon used by a hero. To achieve this first form 1F, the first movable part 40, including the right grip 10g and the rotating part 42 integral with the grip 10g, is rotated approximately 180 degrees clockwise in the figure. In addition, the connecting arm member 10e spanning between the two grips 10g is rotated approximately 90 degrees counterclockwise around the rotation center CL of the second movable part 60 (see FIG. 7) provided above the left grip 10g. In this way, the weapon in the first form 1F shown in FIG. 5 is completed.

[0020] 6 includes a rotating part 42 rotatably held between the front case 10aa and the rear case 10ab of the main body 10a, and a locking part 44 is disposed inside the rotating part 42 and on the inner side of a rotation operation button 43. The locking part 44 is biased toward the rotation operation button 43 by a locking part biasing spring 45. In this configuration, the lock is released when the rotation operation button 43 is pressed, and the rotating part 42 can be rotated in the unlocked state. That is, the rotation operation button 43 is pressed at the beginning of rotation, and when the rotation operation is completed, the locking part 44 returns to the locked state, and the rotation position at the end of the rotation is maintained.

[0021] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a main portion of the second movable portion 60. FIG. 8 is an external perspective view showing a weapon having a different shape from that shown in FIG. 5. In the second movable portion 60, as shown in FIG. 7, the connecting arm member 10e has a central shaft 61 serving as a rotation center at its base end. A click member 62 integral with the central shaft 61 is disposed around the central shaft 61. The click member 62 has three recesses 62a on its outer circumferential surface. Furthermore, a click pin 63 fitted into the recess 62a is biased toward the click member 62 by a pin pressing spring 64. With this configuration, when the connecting arm member 10e is rotated counterclockwise in the figure, the click member 62 rotates and the click pin 63 fits into the recess 62a to the left. As a result, the connecting arm member 10e is locked in the position shown in FIG. 5, with the connecting arm member 10e protruding toward the tip of the weapon.

[0022] The toy 1 can also take the form shown in Fig. 8. In this form, the connecting arm member 10e is rotated 180 degrees from the form shown in Fig. 5. That is, the connecting arm member 10e is rotated 270 degrees from the state shown in Fig. 7 to the recessed portion 62a and locked. This connecting arm member 10e clicks into place and locks in place simply by rotating it, so it can be easily positioned and locked without any additional operations.

[0023] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional perspective view illustrating the operation of the movable protrusion 15 by the operating member 50. As shown in FIG. 9 , when the rotating portion 42 is rotated, the movable protrusion 15 can be operated by the operating member 50. The operating member 50 is, for example, a substantially L-shaped member, and is provided at one end (the left end in the figure) thereof so as to be rotatable around a pivot point 50a, like the trigger of a gun. A corner 50b on the other end of the operating member 50 contacts a contact surface 51b of a first connecting member 51. The first connecting member 51 extends in a tangential direction of the rotating portion 42 and is disposed so as to be slidable in the same direction. Furthermore, a tip 51a of the first connecting member 51, opposite the contact surface 51b, contacts a side surface 52c of a second connecting member 52. The second connecting member 52 is supported so as to be rotatable around the pivot shaft 52a. The tip 51a of the first connecting member 51 can push the second connecting member 52 in a counterclockwise direction. Furthermore, in the second connecting member 52, the protruding corner 52b on the side opposite to the side surface 52c is in contact with the tapered surface 53b of the third connecting member 53. The third connecting member 53 is provided so as to be slidable in a direction intersecting with the first connecting member 51. The third connecting member 53 is biased in a direction toward the lower left in the figure by a pressure spring 54 arranged along the sliding direction. Therefore, the operating member 50 can slide the third connecting member 53 against the biasing force of the operating member 50.

[0024] FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a key portion illustrating the operation of the specific detection element (third detection element 23). The third connecting member 53 has a movable protrusion 15 protruding from its side facing the second unit 20. When the second unit 20 is attached, the third detection element 23, functioning as the specific detection element, is in a second state in which it does not detect the movable protrusion 15 (the movable protrusion 15 is at position P2, outside the facing area relative to the third detection element 23). However, by pressing the operating member 50, the switch tip of the third detection element 23 is pushed from left to right in the figure by the movable protrusion 15, transitioning to a first state in which it detects the movable protrusion 15 (the movable protrusion 15 is at position P1, within the facing area relative to the third detection element 23). As a result, the operation unit 30 can output a second action, such as a weapon attack, that is different from the first action described above.

[0025] FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of the bottom 10b of the first unit 10 shown in FIG. 1. Here, in the first configuration 1F (weapon configuration) described above, the second action is possible by operating the operating member 50. However, when the first configuration 1F is different, the operating member 50 is separated from the second unit 20. For example, when the rotating portion 42 of the first movable portion 40 is in the state shown in FIG. 3, as shown in FIG. 11, the side portion 52c of the second connecting member 52, which is located in the bottom opening 10i of the connecting recess 10h, and the tip portion 51a of the first connecting member 51, which is located in the movable portion-side opening 41i, are separated from each other on the bottom 10b. In other words, the bottom 10b is not in the state shown in FIG. 9, in which the lower end protrusion 41 is fitted into the connecting recess 10h. In this state, even if the operating member 50 is pressed, the operating member 50 simply retracts into the movable portion, which is composed of the components, and cannot be operated.

[0026] As an example of how to play with the toy 1 configured as described above, after activating the second unit 20 as a transformation item, pressing the pedal section 20b produces, for example, an engine sound. In this case, pressing the pedal section 20b multiple times produces an engine sound that increases the engine speed, and then pressing the push button 20d produces a transformation effect together with the effect of the operating section 30.

[0027] After transformation, when the second unit 20 is attached to the first unit 10 in the steering wheel form, as shown in Figure 3, the push button 20d can be operated to play, for example, driving. In addition, when the pedal section 20b is pressed in this state, the hero can perform a special move after transforming into a robot.

[0028] 5 and 8, a specific sound effect is produced when the operating member 50 is pressed and held as a weapon, and then an attack sound is produced when the operating member 50 is released. In addition, other special moves can be performed by pressing the pedal portion 20b multiple times.

[0029] FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing an example of a state in which the second unit 20 is combined with another first unit 10. The first unit 10 shown in FIG. 12 has a shape that resembles an entire vehicle body. For example, the connecting portion 10j shown in FIG. 1 is provided on the bottom surface 10q of the vehicle body, and is configured to be detachable from the item connecting portion 20j of the second unit 20. When this vehicle-shaped first unit 10 is detected, the second unit 20 performs a corresponding effect. Furthermore, in this case, the first unit 10 can also operate the third detection element 23 by appropriately providing an operating member 50 as needed.

[0030] As described above, in the toy 1 of this embodiment, the second unit 20, which can be attached to the first unit 10 having protrusions 11, 12, 13, and 14 for identification information and a movable protrusion 15 that does not constitute identification information, is configured to be able to detect these protrusions 11 to 15, thereby making it possible to output a performance in which the first unit 10 and the second unit 20 operate in association with each other.

[0031] Furthermore, in the toy 1 of this embodiment, when the second unit 20 is attached, it is possible to operate the movable protrusion 15, and a different performance (second action) based on the action of the movable protrusion 15 that is different from the first action based on the detection of the protrusions 11, 12, 13, and 14 for identification information is possible.

[0032] Furthermore, according to the toy 1 of this embodiment, the first unit 10 has an operating member 50 that is interlocked with the movable protrusion 15, so that a second action different from the first action can be output by the operating member 50. Furthermore, the operating member 50 is configured to be operable in the first form 1F but not operable in the second form 2F other than the first form, so that a specific effect corresponding to the first form 1F can be associated with it.

[0033] In the toy 1 of this embodiment, the operating member 50 is buried in the rotating portion and cannot be operated in the second form 2F (for example, the handle form) other than the first form 1F, so there is no confusion between the form of the toy 1 and the activation of the effect. In addition, since the operating member 50 is a mechanical structure that is exposed (operable state) from the first movable part 40 in the first form 1F, it can be configured in relation to the deformation of the shape of the first unit 10.

[0034] While one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention can be modified as appropriate within the scope of its technical concept. For example, in the above embodiment, the first unit 10 and the second unit 20 are combined, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration and may be configured such that another unit is combined with the second unit 20.

[0035] In the above embodiment, three detection elements are used, one of which is used as a specific detection element, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration and may be configured with a detection element that functions only as a specific detection element. The number of detection elements is not limited to the number in the above embodiment. The movable protrusion 15 does not need to be single, and multiple protrusions may be provided.

[0036] Summary of the Embodiments The above embodiments disclose at least the following toys: (1) A toy including a first unit holding identification information, wherein the first unit is provided with a plurality of protrusions that constitute the identification information and a movable protrusion that does not constitute the identification information, and wherein a second unit that is detachable from the first unit detects the plurality of protrusions that constitute the identification information or the movable protrusion to operate an operation unit of the second unit. (2) The toy described in (1), wherein the second unit has a plurality of detection elements that detect the identification information and the operation unit capable of outputting a first operation corresponding to the identification information, wherein any one of the plurality of detection elements is a specific detection element, and the movable protrusion of the first unit is movable between a position within an area facing the specific detection element and a position outside that area when the second unit is attached to the first unit. (3) The toy described in (2), wherein the operation unit outputs a second operation different from the first operation based on a change in contact state between the movable protrusion and the specific detection element. (4) The toy according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the first unit has an operating member interlocked with the movable protrusion. (5) The toy according to (3), wherein a state in which the specific detection element detects the movable protrusion is defined as a first state, and a state in which the specific detection element does not detect the movable protrusion is defined as a second state, and the operation unit outputs the second action differently when transitioning from one of the first state and the second state to the other of the first state and the second state and when transitioning from the other of the first state and the second state to one of the first state and the second state. (6) The toy according to (4) or (5), wherein the first unit is configured to be transformable into a plurality of forms, and the operation member is configured to be operable in a first form of the plurality of forms and to be inoperable in forms other than the first form. (7) The toy described in (6), wherein the first unit has a movable part for shifting to the first form, and the operating member is embedded in the movable part in forms other than the first form and is exposed from the movable part in the first form.(8) The toy according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein the operating section of the second unit at least performs a performance output using light or sound.

[0037] 1 Toy 1F First form 2F Second form 10 First unit 11 First identification protrusion (protrusion) 12 Second identification protrusion (protrusion) 13 Third identification protrusion (protrusion) 14 Fourth identification protrusion (protrusion) 15 Movable protrusion 20 Second unit 21 First detection element 22 Second detection element 23 Third detection element (specific detection element) 30 Operating unit 31 Sound generating unit (operating unit) 32 Light emitting unit (operating unit) 40 First movable unit (movable unit) 50 Operation member

Claims

1. A toy comprising a first unit that holds identification information, the first unit having a plurality of protrusions that constitute the identification information and a movable protrusion that does not constitute the identification information, and a second unit that is detachable from the first unit that detects the plurality of protrusions that constitute the identification information or the movable protrusion, thereby operating a moving part of the second unit.

2. A toy as described in claim 1, wherein the second unit has a plurality of detection elements that detect the identification information and an operating section that is capable of outputting a first operation corresponding to the identification information, one of the plurality of detection elements is a specific detection element, and the movable protrusion of the first unit is movable between a position within an area facing the specific detection element and a position outside the area when the second unit is attached to the first unit.

3. A toy as described in claim 2, wherein the operating unit outputs a second action different from the first action based on a change in the contact state between the movable protrusion and the specific detection element.

4. A toy according to claim 1, wherein the first unit has an operating member that moves in conjunction with the movable protrusion.

5. A toy as described in claim 3, wherein a state in which the specific detection element detects the movable protrusion is defined as a first state, and a state in which the specific detection element does not detect the movable protrusion is defined as a second state, and wherein the operating unit outputs different second actions when transitioning from one of the first state and the second state to the other of the first state and the second state and when transitioning from the other of the first state and the second state to one of the first state and the second state.

6. A toy as described in claim 4, wherein the first unit is configured to be transformable into a plurality of forms, and the operating member is configured to be operable in a first form of the plurality of forms, and is configured to be inoperable in forms other than the first form.

7. A toy as described in claim 6, wherein the first unit has a movable part for shifting to the first form, and the operating member is embedded in the movable part in forms other than the first form, and is exposed from the movable part in the first form.

8. A toy according to claim 1, wherein the operating section of the second unit at least performs a performance output using light or sound.

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