Rotatable Figure Base With Detachable Game Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Collectible miniature figurines used in games often require secure attachment to a game base, but this attachment can limit their value as display pieces, and existing designs may deform or permanently alter the bases during attachment and detachment.

Innovation Solution

A design that allows a collectible miniature figurine to be easily detached from and reattached to a game assembly without deforming either component, featuring a figure base with a ring-shaped cantilever section that fits into a ring-shaped channel on the game base, enabling rotatable attachment and detachment in a step-like fashion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the collectible miniature figurine is fixedly secured to the game base, then the figurine can be used as a game piece, but the figurine cannot be easily detached for display purposes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveusability as game pieceVSAvoiddetachability for display

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The figurine assembly is segmented into two main parts: the figure body and the base. The base is further segmented into a first base (for game use) and a second base (for display). This segmentation allows the figurine to function as a game piece when assembled with the first base, and to be displayed in its original aesthetic form when the figure body is mounted on the second base without game-related markings or features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting mechanism incorporates a spring-loaded pin that can be dynamically adjusted between engaged and disengaged states. When the pin is engaged, it secures the figure body to the base for game play. When disengaged, the figure body can be removed from the first base and mounted on the second base for display, allowing the system to adapt between functional and aesthetic states.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the figurine is securely attached to the game base, then it remains stable during game play, but the bases may deform or be permanently altered during attachment and detachment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability during game playVSAvoidintegrity of base structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

A spring-loaded pin acts as an intermediary element between the figure body and the base. This pin provides the necessary securing force for stable game play while being removable without deforming the base structures. The spring mechanism ensures consistent engagement force without requiring permanent modification or deformation of either the first base or the figure base.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the figurine base includes game information markings, then it can be used for tracking game data, but the collectible value decreases due to extraneous features

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegame information trackingVSAvoidcollectible value

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The base is segmented into two distinct components: a first base with game information markings for use during gameplay, and a second base without markings for display purposes. This allows the same figure body to be associated with different base types depending on whether the context is active game play or collection display, preserving collectible value while maintaining game functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The game information tracking function is extracted from the permanent structure of the figurine and instead implemented on the removable first base. This extraction allows the game-related features to be present only when needed for gameplay, while the figure body and second base remain free of extraneous markings that would reduce collectible value.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Ease of operation

If the figurine rotates freely on the game base, then it can be easily repositioned, but the rotation may not provide precise step-like positioning for game tracking

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproverepositionabilityVSAvoidpositioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The rotational positioning system is segmented into discrete angular positions marked on the first base. These markings create defined stop positions that guide the rotation to precise locations, combining the ease of manual repositioning with accurate positioning for game data tracking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS8678874B2Collectible miniature figurine with detachable game base

Publication Date: 2014.03.25 THE UPPER DECK COMPANY LLC

AI summary

A combination for use as a collectible item or a game piece includes a collectible miniature figurine and a first game assembly. The collectible miniature figurine includes a figure body and a figure base that retains and supports the figure body. The first game assembly includes a first game base that is selectively attachable to and detachable from the figure base without deforming either of the bases. Further, the figure base is selectively rotatable relative to the first game base when the figure base is attached to the first game base. Still further, the figure base can be selectively rotatable relative to the first game base in a step-like fashion.