Viscous Skeleton Toy with Flexible Joints and Adhesive Fluid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing toys lack flexibility and realism in mimicking decaying soft tissue and organs, limiting imaginative play for children.
Innovation Solution
A toy figure with a loosely tethered skeleton and a viscous fluid that tackily adheres to the skeleton, providing flexibility and mimicking soft tissue and organs, enhanced with visual and sound effects, and a play surface for interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a toy figure uses rigid structural members to represent bones, then the structural integrity and shape stability are improved, but the flexibility and realism in mimicking decaying soft tissue are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the skeleton flexible rather than rigid. The structural members (bones) are connected through flexible joints that allow movement and deformation, enabling the skeleton to dynamically adapt its shape when manipulated. This dynamic structure allows the toy to mimic the floppiness of decaying tissue while maintaining structural integrity through the interconnected bone framework.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs flexible structural members that can bend and deform, similar to flexible shells and thin films. The bones are designed as flexible elements rather than rigid structures, allowing them to bend and flex while maintaining their identity as structural components. This creates the desired effect of a decaying, floppy skeleton that retains its skeletal form.
2Manufacturing precision
If a toy figure uses fixed and rigid components, then the manufacturing precision and structural stability are improved, but the tactile realism and playability are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible joints and movable connections allow the toy to be easily manipulated and reconfigured during play. Each bone can move independently through the flexible joints, enabling children to pose and reshape the skeleton in various ways. This dynamic design significantly enhances playability while the overall structural framework maintains stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The skeleton is divided into multiple separate bone segments rather than a single rigid piece. Each bone is an independent component connected through flexible joints, allowing individual manipulation and movement. This segmentation enables greater ease of operation and playability while maintaining structural integrity through the interconnected design.
3Device complexity
If a toy figure lacks viscous fluid elements, then the structural simplicity and ease of manufacture are improved, but the realism in mimicking soft tissue and organs is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces viscous fluid elements that can be injected into or applied to the skeleton structure. The fluid changes the physical parameters of the toy by adding a gooey, adhesive substance that mimics the appearance and texture of soft tissue and organs. This parameter change from dry rigid structure to fluid-coated flexible structure creates the desired realism of decaying matter.
Solution Approach 2:
The toy combines multiple materials with different properties: flexible structural members for the skeleton and viscous fluid for the soft tissue effect. This composite construction merges the structural integrity of the flexible bones with the realistic appearance and tactile properties of the viscous fluid, creating a multi-material toy that achieves both simplicity and realism.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The toy figure offers enhanced play experience with realistic and flexible manipulation, engaging children with its tactile and visual elements, while the viscous fluid adhering to the skeleton creates an immersive and entertaining play environment.
Implementation Method 1
a viscous fluid configured to tackily adhere to the skeleton
Data Source
AI summary
A toy figure has a loosely held skeleton with multiple structural elements resembling or simulating bones of the skeleton. The skeleton also includes a fluid or liquid material that resembles a soft tissue coupled to a portion of the structural elements. In addition, a play set includes a receptacle in which a viscous fluid is located so that a portion of the skeleton can be moved to engage the fluid. A child can move a portion of the skeleton away from the receptacle, thereby displaying the fluid on the structural elements.