TOY FIGURE WITH CONNECTOR FOR APPENDAGE

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001]The present application relates generally to a toy figure and, in particular, to a connector that is used with a toy figure to couple different parts of the toy figure together.

BACKGROUND

[0002]Toys provide entertainment for different users, such as children. For example, a toy may include various features with which a child may play. An example toy that may entertain a child is a toy figure, such as a doll. In some conventional toy figures, a coupler is used to connect to parts of the toy figure together. For example, a coupler is used to connect an arm to a torso of a toy figure. The structure of such couplers limits the range of movement of the arm relative to the torso. In some toy figures, an arm cannot be raised relative to the torso more than 60 degrees due to the connector structure. In addition, any lengthening of the slot in an arm in which the connector is located results in the slot being seen in the arm, which is unappealing to users.

[0003]Thus, there is a need for a connector for a toy figure that can be used to couple an arm to a torso and provide a larger range of movement between them.

SUMMARY

[0004]A toy figure according to the aspects presented herein includes a connector for coupling two parts of the toy figure together. The connector has a first portion, a second portion, and a middle portion located between and coupled to both the first portion and the second portion. The middle portion is asymmetrically located between the first portion and the second portion, which creates a larger notch and facilitates a larger range of movement between the two parts of the toy figure. In one implementation, the two parts of the toy figure are an arm and a torso.

[0005]In the toy figure according to the aspects disclosed herein, the arm connector design includes a connector post or coupler portion that is offset relative to the ends of the connector which creates a larger notch while maintaining the same axis of rotation. The larger notch allows the connector to move a greater distance even though the length of the channel on the arm remains unchanged. As a result, the arm has an improved range of motion and can be raised to a position that is 90 degrees from the body (i.e., fully horizontal). Furthermore, because the length of the channel has not been increased, no hole is visible on the shoulder of the toy figure.

[0006]In one aspect of the disclosure, a toy figure comprises a first body component defining a first receptacle, a second body component defining a second receptacle, and a connector that couples the first body component to the second body component, the connector enabling the second body component to move relative to the first body component, the connector including a first connector portion engageable with the first receptacle of the first body component, the first body component is rotatable relative to the first connector portion about a first rotational axis when the first connector portion is located in the first receptacle, a second connector portion engageable with the second receptacle of the second body component, and a middle portion located between the first connector portion and the second connector portion, the middle portion having a first end coupled to the first connector portion, a second end coupled to the second connector portion, and a longitudinal axis extending from the first end to the second end, wherein the longitudinal axis is offset from and perpendicular to the first rotational axis.

[0007]In one embodiment, the second connector portion is rotatable about a second rotational axis when the second connector portion is located in the second receptacle, and the longitudinal axis is offset from and parallel to the second rotational axis.

[0008]In another embodiment, the longitudinal axis is a first longitudinal axis, the connector has a connector first end, a connector second end opposite the connector first end and a second longitudinal axis that extends from the connector first end to the connector second end, and the first longitudinal axis is offset from and parallel to the second longitudinal axis.

[0009]In an alternative embodiment, the second connector portion has a ring portion with a first outer surface, the middle portion has a second outer surface, and the second outer surface extends is aligned and continuous with the first outer surface.

[0010]In yet another embodiment, the ring portion is a first ring portion, the second connector portion includes a second ring portion with a third outer surface, and the second outer surface is aligned with the third outer surface.

[0011]In one embodiment, the middle portion has a square cross-sectional shape.

[0012]In another embodiment, the middle portion is asymmetrically located between the first connector portion and the second connector portion.

[0013]In an alternative embodiment, the first body component is a toy figure arm, the second body component is a toy figure torso, the first body component includes a slot formed therein, and the middle portion of the connector travels back and forth in the slot.

[0014]In yet another embodiment, the toy figure arm has an arm longitudinal axis, the toy figure torso has a torso longitudinal axis, and the toy figure arm can be moved relative to the toy figure torso so that the arm longitudinal axis extends perpendicularly to the torso longitudinal axis.

[0015]In another aspect of the disclosure, a toy figure comprises an arm defining a first receptacle, a torso defining a second receptacle, and a connector that movably couples the arm to the torso, the connector having a first longitudinal axis, the connector including a first connector portion engageable with the first receptacle, the arm being rotatable relative to the first connector portion about a first rotational axis, a second connector portion engageable with the second receptacle and rotatable about a second rotational axis, the second rotational axis being perpendicular to the first rotational axis, and a middle portion located between the first connector portion and the second connector portion, the middle portion having a second longitudinal axis, the second longitudinal axis being offset from the first longitudinal axis.

[0016]In one embodiment, the second longitudinal axis is offset from and perpendicular to the first rotational axis.

[0017]In another embodiment, the second longitudinal axis is offset from and parallel to the second rotational axis.

[0018]In an alternative embodiment, the second connector portion has a first ring portion with a first outer surface, a second ring portion with a second outer surface, the middle portion has a third outer surface, and the third outer surface extends is aligned with the first outer surface and the second outer surface.

[0019]In yet another embodiment, the middle portion is asymmetrically located between the first connector portion and the second connector portion.

[0020]In one embodiment, the arm has an arm longitudinal axis, the torso has a torso longitudinal axis, and the arm can be moved relative to the torso so that the arm longitudinal axis extends perpendicularly to the torso longitudinal axis.

[0021]In another aspect of the disclosure, a toy figure comprises an arm, a torso, and a connector that movably couples the arm to the torso, the connector having a first longitudinal axis, the connector including a first portion engageable with the arm, the arm being rotatable relative to the first portion about a first rotational axis, a second portion engageable with the torso, the second portion being rotatable about a second rotational axis, the second rotational axis being perpendicular to the first rotational axis, and a middle portion located between the first portion and the second portion, the middle portion having a second longitudinal axis, the second longitudinal axis being offset from the first longitudinal axis.

[0022]In one embodiment, the second longitudinal axis is offset from and perpendicular to the first rotational axis.

[0023]In an alternative embodiment, the second longitudinal axis is offset from and parallel to the second rotational axis.

[0024]In another embodiment, the first portion includes a body with a first body side and a second body side opposite to the first body side, the first body side having a first extension extending outwardly therefrom, the second body side having a second extension extending outwardly therefrom, and the first rotational axis passes through the first extension and the second extension.

[0025]In yet another embodiment, the middle portion is asymmetrically located between the first portion and the second portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026]The toy figure presented herein may be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. Unless dimensions of elements of the drawings are specifically called-out and described herein, it should be understood that the elements in the figures are not necessarily to scale and that emphasis has been placed upon illustrating the principles of the toy figure. In the figures, like-referenced numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.

[0027]FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a conventional toy figure;

[0028]FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of an arm of the conventional toy figure illustrated in FIG. 1 with a connector coupler thereto;

[0029]FIG. 3 illustrates a close-up front view of a portion of an alternative embodiment of the conventional toy figure illustrated in FIG. 1;

[0030]FIG. 4 illustrates a plan view of an arm of another conventional toy figure;

[0031]FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of a portion of an embodiment of a toy figure in accordance with the aspects disclosed herein;

[0032]FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of the toy figure illustrated in FIG. 5 with a portion of its torso removed;

[0033]FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional front view of a portion of an arm of the toy figure illustrated in FIG. 5;

[0034]FIG. 8 illustrates a front perspective view of the connector of the toy figure illustrated in FIG. 5; and

[0035]FIG. 9 illustrates a top perspective view of the connector illustrated in FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036]In a toy figure according to the aspects disclosed herein, the arm connector include a connector post or coupler portion that is offset which creates a larger notch while maintaining the same axis of rotation. The larger notch allows the connector to move a greater distance even though the length of the channel on the arm remains unchanged. As a result, the arm has an improved range of motion and can be raised to a position that is 90 degrees from the body (i.e., fully horizontal). Furthermore, because the length of the channel has not been increased, no hole is visible on the shoulder of the toy figure.

[0037]Turning initially to FIG. 1, a front view of a portion of a conventional toy figure is illustrated. The conventional toy FIG. 10 is a toy doll that includes a torso 20 with shoulder regions 22 and 24 to which arms 30 and 40 are movably coupled, respectively. Arm 30 has a longitudinal axis 35 (see FIG. 1), and can be moved from a lowered position (not shown) in which the arm 30 is proximate to the torso 20 to a raised or upper position 32. The range of the arm 30 for toy FIG. 10 is limited to the upper position 32. In the upper position 32, the arm 30 and the torso 20 form an angle of 60 degrees therebetween. The potential position 34 for an arm that is at an angle of 90 degrees relative to the torso is also illustrated in FIG. 1. However, the range of movement of arm 30 of toy FIG. 10 is limited, and the arm 30 cannot be moved to potential position 34 because of the structure of the connector between arm 30 and torso 20. Toy FIG. 10 also includes an arm 40 that has the similar movement range limitations as arm 30. Arm 40 has a joint end 42 that is coupled to shoulder region 24 and a hand end 44 that is opposite to the joint end 42.

[0038]Referring to FIG. 2, a front view of the joint end 42 of arm 40 of the conventional toy FIG. 10 is illustrated. The joint end 42 has an inner portion 46 that is located in a recess formed in the shoulder region 24. A slot 48 is formed in the inner portion 46 and is defined by opposing ends or end walls 50 and 52.

[0039]A connector 60 is pivotally coupled to the joint end 42 of arm 40. In this implementation, the arm 40 is rotatable relative to the connector 60 about rotational axis 70 back and forth along the directions of arrows “A” and “B.” The connector 60 has a mounting portion 62 and a coupler portion 64. The mounting portion 62 includes a pair of rings that define a groove therebetween. The rings and the groove are used to locate and secure the mounting portion 62 in the torso 20 in the toy FIG. 10, as described in greater detail below. The connector 60 has a longitudinal axis 65 that extends along the length of the connector 60. In toy FIG. 10, the longitudinal axis 65 is aligned with and extends through the rotational axis 70 of the arm 40.

[0040]Turning to FIG. 3, a close-up front view of a conventional toy FIG. 10′ with toy clothing 26 is shown. The arm 40 of the toy FIG. 10′ is located in its lowered position adjacent to the torso 20. Notably, with arm 40 in this position, the slot 48 in the joint end 42 of the arm 40 is visible, which as noted above, is unappealing to users.

[0041]Referring to FIG. 4, a plan view of another embodiment of an arm of a conventional toy figure is shown. In this embodiment, the arm 80 includes a shoulder end 82 with a slot 84 formed therein. A connector 90 is coupled to the arm 80, with a portion of the connector 90 located in the slot 84. The connector 90 has a mounting end 92 that is captured in the torso of the toy figure. This arm 80 is also limited in its range of movement due to the structure of the connector 90.

[0042]Now, an embodiment of a toy figure according to the aspects of this disclosure is described. As set forth below and in the drawings, the connector of the toy figure has a different structure, which enables a larger range of motion of an arm relative to a torso of the toy figure. In FIG. 5, the toy FIG. 100 includes a torso 110 and a pair of arms 130 and 140 coupled to the torso 110. The toy FIG. 100 can be referred to alternatively as a toy doll, a doll, or a toy character. It is to be understood that the shape, the size, and the configuration of the toy FIG. 100 can vary in different embodiments.

[0043]The torso 110 of toy FIG. 100 has a longitudinal axis 115 and includes shoulder regions 112 and 114. Toy FIG. 100 has a pair of arms 130 and 140, each of which has a longitudinal axis (noting that only longitudinal axis 135 of arm 130 is illustrated for simplicity). Arm 130 is movably coupled to torso 110 at shoulder region 112, and arm 140 is movably coupled to torso 110 at shoulder region 114. In FIG. 5, arm 130 is illustrated in a raised position 134, in which the longitudinal axis 135 of the arm 130 and the longitudinal axis 115 of the torso 110 define an angle of 90 degrees therebetween. Unlike the conventional toy FIG. 10 illustrated in FIG. 1, the arm 130 of toy FIG. 100 can be raised to a perpendicular position relative to the torso because the connector of toy FIG. 100 has a different structure, as described in greater detail below.

[0044]Turning to FIG. 6, a front view of the toy FIG. 100 is illustrated with a portion of its torso removed to reveal some of the internal structures thereof. In particular, the front portion of the torso 110 is removed, thereby revealing the inner surface of the rear portion 111 of the torso 110. Torso 110 has a receptacle or cavity 120 between its front portion and its rear portion 111. In this embodiment, the rear portion 111 has a pair of flanges 122 and 124 located in the cavity 120.

[0045]Arm 130 has a connector 132 with a groove 133 formed therein. When the connector 132 is in the cavity 120, the groove 133 is aligned with and engages flange 122. As a result, connector 132 can rotate relative to the torso 110 about a rotational axis 136 along the directions of arrows “C”. In addition, arm 130 and connector 132 rotate collectively about rotational axis 136.

[0046]Similarly, arm 140 has a connector 200 with a groove 226 formed therein. When the connector 200 is in the cavity 120, the groove 226 is aligned with and engages flange 124. As a result, connector 200 can rotate relative to the torso 110 about a rotational axis 215 along the directions of arrows “D.” In addition, arm 140 and connector 200 rotate collectively about rotational axis 215. Moreover, arm 140 is pivotally coupled to connector 200 and can rotate relative to connector 200 about a rotational axis 145 which extends perpendicular to rotational axis 215. Arm 140 can rotate back and forth along the directions of arrows “E” and “F” about rotational axis 145.

[0047]Turning to FIG. 7, a cross-sectional front view of a portion of an arm of the toy figure is shown. In this embodiment, arm 140 has a joint end 142 and an opposite intermediate arm end 144 to which a lower arm portion is coupled. Arm 140 includes an inner wall 150 that defines a cavity 160 formed in the joint end 142 of arm 140. The joint end 142 has a side wall 152 and end walls 154 and 156 that collectively form a slot 162.

[0048]Connector 200 has a mounting portion 220 located at one end and a pivoting portion 240 located at the opposite end. Connector 200 has a longitudinal axis 217 that extends between its opposite ends. In this implementation, longitudinal axis 217 and rotational axis 215 (see FIG. 6) are colinear.

[0049]Located between mounting portion 220 and pivoting portion 240 is a coupler portion 230. Coupler portion 230 is offset from the longitudinal axis 217 of the connector 200. In particular, coupler portion 230 has a longitudinal axis 235 that extends between opposite ends of coupler portion 230. As shown in FIG. 7, longitudinal axis 235 is offset from longitudinal axis 217 by a distance “G.” This distance “G” provides a greater range of movement of the arm 140 about axis 145, thereby facilitating movement of arm 140 to a perpendicular position relative to the torso of the toy figure. By the coupler portion 230 being offset and asymmetrically located between the mounting portion 220 and the pivoting portion 240, the notch 239 formed between the mounting portion 220 and the pivoting portion 240 is larger than any space on connector 60.

[0050]As arm 140 rotates along the directions of arrows “E” and “F” about rotational axis 145, the coupler portion 230 moves back and forth in slot 162. When arm 140 moves along the direction of arrow “E,” coupler portion 230 moves in slot 162 and end wall 154 moves into and engages the notch 239. The offset location of the coupler portion 230, which creates the distance “G” and results in the larger notch 239, allows the arm 140 to move along arrow “E” to a higher position relative to the torso as compared to the conventional toy FIG. 10. The higher position for arm 140 corresponds to raised position 134 shown in FIG. 5.

[0051]Turning to FIGS. 8 and 9, perspective views of this embodiment of the connector 200 are shown. Connector 200 has a body 210 with opposite ends 212 and 214. Mounting portion 220 includes a pair of rings 222 and 224 that define a groove 226 therebetween. As mentioned above, groove 226 engages flange 124 in the torso 110. Rings 222 and 224 can be referred to alternatively as ring portions or disks. Each of the rings 222 and 224 has an outer surface 223 and 225, respectively.

[0052]In this embodiment, coupler portion 230 has side walls 232 and 234, a top wall 236, and a bottom wall 238. The walls 232, 234, 236, and 238 collectively define a generally square cross-sectional shape for coupler portion 230. Due to the offset position of coupler portion 230, bottom wall 238 is generally aligned with the outer surfaces 223 and 225 of rings 222 and 224, respectively. In one embodiment, bottom wall 238 forms a continuous surface with outer surface 225 with ring 224.

[0053]Pivoting portion 240 includes a body 250, which in this embodiment, is generally circular and disk-shaped. Body 250 has sides 252 and 254 that are opposite each other, and an outer perimeter 256 located between the sides 252 and 254. On side 252, an extension 260 protrudes or projects outwardly therefrom. Extension 260 includes a shaft 262 with a radially projecting portion 264. Similarly, an extension 270 protrudes outwardly from side 254. Extension 270 includes a shaft 272 with a radially projecting portion 274. Extensions 260 and 270 are mounted into cavities or receptacles in the arm 140 so that the arm 140 rotates about the extensions 260 and 270 which define rotational axis 145.

[0054]In this embodiment, the mounting portion 220, the coupler portion 230, and the pivoting portion 240 are integrally formed. In an alternative embodiment, the mounting portion 220, the coupler portion 230, and the pivoting portion 240 can be formed separately and subsequently coupled together.

[0055]While the toy figures presented herein have been illustrated and described in detail and with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since it will be apparent that various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the disclosure and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. In addition, various features from one of the embodiments may be incorporated into another of the embodiments. That is, it is believed that the disclosure set forth above encompasses multiple distinct embodiments with independent utility. While each of these embodiments has been disclosed in a preferred form, the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the disclosure includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed herein. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the following claims.

[0056]It is also to be understood that the toy figures and connectors described herein, or portions thereof may be fabricated from any suitable material or combination of materials, such as plastic, foamed plastic, wood, metal, supple natural or synthetic materials including, but not limited to, cotton, elastomers, polyester, plastic, rubber, derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof. Suitable plastics may include high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polystyrene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), or the like. Suitable foamed plastics may include expanded or extruded polystyrene, expanded or extruded polypropylene, EVA foam, derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof.

[0057]Additionally, it is to be understood that terms such as “first,” “second,” “left,” “right,” “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “side,” “height,” “length,” “width,” “upper,” “lower,” “interior,” “exterior,” “inner,” “outer” and the like as may be used herein, merely describe points of reference and do not limit the present disclosure to any particular orientation or configuration. Further, the term “exemplary” is used herein to describe an example or illustration. Any embodiment described herein as exemplary is not to be construed as a preferred or advantageous embodiment, but rather as one example or illustration of a possible embodiment of the disclosure.

[0058]Moreover, when used herein, the term “comprises” and its derivations (such as “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” etc.) should not be understood in an excluding sense, that is, these terms should not be interpreted as excluding the possibility that what is described and defined may include further elements, steps, etc. Similarly, where any description recites “a” or “a first” element or the equivalent thereof, such disclosure should be understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements. Meanwhile, when used herein, the term “approximately” and terms of its family (such as “approximate”, etc.) should be understood as indicating values very near to those which accompany the aforementioned term. That is to say, a deviation within reasonable limits from an exact value should be accepted, because a skilled person in the art will understand that such a deviation from the values indicated is inevitable due to measurement inaccuracies, etc. The same applies to the terms “about” and “around” and “substantially”. For example, the term “approximately” can denote a tolerance of plus or minus 0.002 inches, 0.001 inches, or up to 0.005 inches. The same applies to the terms “about” and “around” and “substantially.” Moreover, for the purposes of the present disclosure, the phrase “A and/or B” means (A), (B), or (A and B), and the phrase “A, B, and/or C” means (A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B and C).