Animated doll

• US 6,776,681 B2
• Filed: 05/07/2001
• Issued: 08/17/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mattel Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Mattel Incorporated
• Inventors: Willett, William
• Primary Examiner(s): Banks, Derris H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Suhol, Dmitry
• Application Number:
  US09/851,539
• Publication Number:
  US 20020164922A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,198 Days
• Field of Search: 446/268, 446/270, 446/272, 446/274, 446/278, 446/297, 446/300, 446/301, 446/330, 446/337, 446/342, 446/296, 446/289, 446/354, 446/352, 446/376, 446/390
• US Class Current: 446/300
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 2200/00 Computerized interactive toys, e.g. dolls
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 3/40 movable
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 3/48 Mounting of parts within dolls, e.g. automatic eyes or parts for animation self-moving A63H13/00

Abstract

An animated doll having an enlarged head and enlarged feet relative to its body, and including a combination of independent, interactive features. The interactive features include a head position assembly, which controls rotation of the head, and an eye assembly mechanism, which drives and controls the opening and closing of eyelids on the doll. The doll may also include a communication port to receive removable external components, which are associated with a pre-recorded response.

Claims

1. An interactive doll with an animated head and a base, the doll comprising:

a motor operatively connected to the head, the head rotatable relative to the base through a plurality of predetermined head positions including a first head position;

a head position assembly interposed between the head and the base, the head position assembly having a contact surface; and

a position monitoring structure attached to the head and independent of the head position assembly, the position monitoring structure configured to monitor the plurality of predetermined head positions, wherein the positioning monitoring structure rotates with the head, such that the contact surface of the head position assembly triggers the position monitoring structure when the head is in the first head position.

2. The doll of claim 1, wherein the head position assembly comprises a safety mechanism adapted to permit the head to be physically turned by an external force.

3. The doll of claim 1, wherein the head position assembly comprises:

a lower wafer interposed between the head and the base adapted to follow the rotation of the head when the head is physically turned by an external force from an operational position;

an upper wafer releasably coupled to the lower wafer and adapted to remain aligned with the base when the head is physically turned by an external force from the operational position; and

a biasing structure interposed between the lower wafer and upper wafer wherein the biasing structure is adapted to bias the head back to the operational position after being physically turned by the external force.

4. The doll of claim 1, wherein the head position assembly comprises a stopping surface which is adapted to contact a stop on the head to prevent the head from being physically turned by an external force beyond the plurality of positions.

5. The doll of claim 1, wherein the position monitoring structure includes at least one limit switch.

6. The doll of claim 1, wherein the position monitoring structure is operatively attached to a processor which is adapted to control rotation of the head.

7. The doll of claim 1 wherein

the base is shaped to resemble feet configured to disguise a power source;

and

the head is configured to disguise the motor assembly which is operatively connected to the power source.

8. The doll of claim 1, also comprising an eye assembly having moveable eyelids, wherein a second motor is configured to move the eyelids between an open position and a closed position.

9. The doll of claim 1, wherein the head rotates about the head position assembly and the head position assembly remains generally stationary in relation to the base when in an operation position.

10. The doll of claim 1, wherein the head position assembly includes a biasing structure adapted to permit the head to be physically turned by an external force from the first head position to a second head position and upon release return to the first head position.

11. The doll of claim 1, wherein the base is adapted to provide a counter-weight to support the head.

12. The doll of claim 1, wherein the base is adapted to support the doll on a planar surface in an upright orientation.

14. The doll of claim 1, further including a body having a size, wherein a size of the head is exaggerated relative the size of the body.

15. The doll of claim 14, wherein a size of the base is exaggerated relative the size of the body.

13. An interactive doll with an animated head and a base, the doll comprising:

a motor operatively connected to the head, the head rotatable relative to the base through a plurality of predetermined head positions including a first head position;

a head position assembly interposed between the head and the base, the head position assembly having a contact surface adapted to remain substantially stationary relative the base upon rotation of the head by the motor; and

a position monitoring structure attached to the head configured to monitor the plurality of predetermined head positions, the positioning monitoring structure rotatable with the head such that the contact surface of the head position assembly triggers the position monitoring structure as the head rotates by the motor through the plurality of predetermined head positions;

wherein the head is adapted to be physically turned by an external force from the first head position to a second head position and upon release return to the first head position.

16. The doll of claim 13, also comprising an eye assembly having moveable eyelids, wherein the motor assembly includes a second motor configured to move the eyelids between an open position and a closed position.

17. The doll of claim 13, further including a body having a size, wherein a size of the head is exaggerated relative the size of the body.

18. The doll of claim 17, wherein a size of the base is exaggerated relative the size of the body.

19. The doll of claim 13, wherein the base is shaped to resemble feet configured to disguise a power source.