Animated multi-persona toy

• US 20050233675A1
• Filed: 06/13/2005
• Published: 10/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Mattel Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Mattel Incorporated
• Inventors: Marine, Jon C., McGrath, Tara, Choi, Ok-Soo, Gray, Kevin W., Mesch, Joyce
• Application Number:
  US11/152,493
• Publication Number:
  US 20050233675A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 446/268
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 2200/00 Computerized interactive toys, e.g. dolls
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 3/20 with parts moved due to movements of other parts, e.g. limbs
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 3/28 Arrangements of sound-producing means in dolls; Means in dolls for producing sounds

Abstract

The present invention provides animated toys adapted to imitate multiple personas.

Claims

1. An animated toy, comprising:

a body configured to function in a plurality of modes, including a first mode imitating a first persona, and a second mode imitating a second persona;

a manual actuator configured to change a function of the body among the plurality of modes;

an appendage rotatably connected to the body; and

a motion-generating mechanism configured to move the appendage based, at least in part, on the function of the body.

2. The animated toy of claim 1, wherein the first mode imitates a pet.

3. The animated toy of claim 2, wherein the second mode imitates a human.

4. The animated toy of claim 1, wherein the manual actuator is incorporated in the appendage.

5. The animated toy of claim 1, wherein the appendage includes a leg.

6. The animated toy of claim 5, wherein the manual actuator is incorporated in the leg.

7. The animated toy of claim 1, further comprising a speaker configured to generate one or more audio outputs based, at least in part, on the function of the body.

8. The animated toy of claim 1, wherein the body includes a posterior end, the appendage includes a leg adjacent to the posterior end, and the leg includes a foot, and wherein the leg may be rotated to a plurality of rotational positions relative to the body.

9. The animated toy of claim 8, further comprising:

a support plane defined by the posterior end of the body and the foot, wherein the support plane is configured to rest on a surface, and wherein for each rotational position of the appendage, the body may be maintained in a different position relative to the support plane;

a head; and

a lever assembly operatively connecting the appendage to the head, wherein for each rotational position of the appendage, the lever assembly is configured to hold the head in a different position relative to the body that is in an approximately level orientation relative to the support plane.

10. An animated toy, comprising:

a body;

an appendage rotatably connected to the body;

a motion-generating mechanism configured to control movement of the appendage;

a controller configured to function in a plurality of modes, including;

a first mode, wherein the controller produces an output signal that drives the motion-generating mechanism causing the toy to imitate a first persona; and

a second mode, wherein the controller produces an output signal that drives the motion-generating mechanism causing the toy to imitate a second persona; and

at least one manual actuator configured to change a function of the controller among the plurality of modes.

11. The animated toy of claim 10, wherein the plurality of modes includes a transition mode, wherein the controller produces an output signal that converts the toy between the first mode and the second mode.

12. The animated toy of claim 10, wherein the first mode imitates a pet.

13. The animated toy of claim 12, wherein the second mode imitates a human.

14. The animated toy of claim 10, wherein the manual actuator is incorporated in the appendage.

15. The animated toy of claim 10, wherein the appendage includes a leg.

16. The animated toy of claim 15, wherein the manual actuator is incorporated in the leg.

17. The animated toy of claim 10, wherein the body includes a posterior end, the appendage includes a leg adjacent to the posterior end, and the leg includes a foot, and wherein the leg may be rotated to a plurality of rotational positions relative to the body.

18. The animated toy of claim 17, further comprising:

a support plane defined by the posterior end of the body and the foot, wherein the support plane is configured to rest on a surface, and wherein for each rotational position of the appendage, the body may be maintained in a different position relative to the support plane;

a head; and

a lever assembly operatively connecting the appendage to the head, wherein for each rotational position of the appendage, the lever assembly is configured to hold the head in a different position relative to the body that is in an approximately level orientation relative to the support plane.

19. An animated toy, comprising:

a body configured to function in a plurality of modes, including a first mode imitating a pet, and a second mode imitating a human;

a manual actuator configured to change a function of the body among the plurality of modes;

an appendage rotatably connected to the body, wherein the manual actuator is incorporated in the appendage; and

a motion-generating mechanism configured to move the appendage based, at least in part, on the function of the body.

20. The animated toy of claim 19, wherein the body includes a posterior end, the appendage includes a leg adjacent to the posterior end, and the leg includes a foot, and wherein the leg may be rotated to a plurality of rotational positions relative to the body, further comprising:

a support plane defined by the posterior end of the body and the foot, wherein the support plane is configured to rest on a surface, and wherein for each rotational position of the appendage, the body may be maintained in a different position relative to the support plane;

a head; and

a lever assembly operatively connecting the to the head, wherein for each rotational position of the appendage, the lever assembly is configured to hold the head in a different position relative to the body that is in an approximately level orientation relative to the support plane.