Tearing mechanism for a toy, such as a doll, having fixed or movable eyes

• US 7,189,137 B2
• Filed: 05/16/2005
• Issued: 03/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Zapf Creation AG (Larian Living Trust)
• Original Assignee: Fredric Ellman, Julius Ellman, Lawrence Mass, Steven Ellman
• Inventors: Mass, Lawrence, Ellman, Julius, Ellman, Steven, Ellman, Fredric
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, KIEN T
• Application Number:
  US11/129,491
• Publication Number:
  US 20050255788A1
• Time in Patent Office: 666 Days
• Field of Search: 446304-306, 446/301, 446/392, 446/183, 446/197, 446/198, 446/341, 446/342, 446/343, 446/358
• US Class Current: 446/304
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 3/24 Drinking dolls; Dolls producing tears; Wetting dolls
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 3/38 Dolls' eyes

Abstract

A tearing mechanism for a toy includes a fluid chamber, a valve in operable communication with the fluid chamber for allowing or restricting the flow of a fluid from the tearing mechanism, and a motor operable in first and second generally opposite directions. The motor actuates the valve to cause tearing of the toy, when operating in only one of the first and second directions.

Claims

1. A tearing mechanism for a toy, comprising:

a) a fluid chamber;

b) a valve in operable communication with said fluid chamber for allowing or restricting the flow of a fluid from the tearing mechanism;

c) a motor operable in first and second generally opposite directions;

d) a valve lever including a first end in operable engagement with said motor and a second end in operable engagement with said valve; and

e) said motor being in operable engagement with said valve for actuating said valve in only one of said first and second directions.

2. The tearing mechanism of claim 1, further comprising:

a) a cam driven by said motor for actuating said valve lever; and

b) a gear train disposed between said cam and said motor.

3. The tearing mechanism of claim 2, wherein:

a) one of the gears in said gear train comprises a toggle gear; and

b) said toggle gear engages said cam when said motor operates in said one of said first and second directions.

4. A tearing mechanism of claim 1, further comprising:

a) an eye in operable engagement with said valve and including an opening for fluid to flow outwardly therefrom.

5. The tearing mechanism of claim 4, wherein:

a) said eye includes a recess for receiving the fluid from said fluid chamber; and

b) a fluid diffuser disposed in said recess for retarding the flow of fluid therethrough.

6. The tearing mechanism of claim 5, wherein:

a) said fluid diffuser comprises a porous material.

7. The tearing mechanism of claim 1, wherein:

a) said one of said first and second directions comprises a counterclockwise direction.

8. The tearing mechanism of claim 1, further comprising:

a) a mouth valve for supplying a fluid to said fluid chamber.

9. The tearing mechanism of claim 1, wherein:

a) said fluid chamber comprises a bellows extending generally horizontally between the front and rear of the tearing mechanism.

10. The tearing mechanism of claim 9, wherein:

a) two of said bellows are in fluid communication with said valve; and

b) said bellows are self-pressurized when filled with a fluid.

11. The tearing mechanism of claim 1, wherein:

a) said fluid chamber comprises an expandable chamber.

12. The tearing mechanism for a toy, comprising:

a) a fluid chamber

b) a valve in operable communication with said fluid chamber for allowing or restricting the flow of a fluid from the tearing mechanism;

c) an eye lever for opening or closing an eye;

d) a motor for actuating one of said valve and said eye lever;

e) a valve lever including a first end in operable engagement with said motor and a second end in operable engagement with said valve; and

f) said eye lever including a first end in operable engagement with said motor and a second end in operable engagement with the eye.

13. The tearing mechanism of claim 12, wherein:

a) said motor actuates both of said valve and said eye lever.

14. The tearing mechanism of claim 13, wherein:

a) said motor is operable in first and second generally opposite directions; and

b) said motor actuates said valve only in one of said first and second directions.

15. The tearing mechanism of claim 14, wherein:

a) said motor actuates said eye lever in both of said first and second directions.

16. The tearing mechanism of claim 14, wherein:

a) said one of said first and second directions comprises a counterclockwise direction.

17. The tearing mechanism of claim 12, further comprising:

a) a first cam driven by said motor for actuating said valve lever; and

b) a gear train disposed between said first cam and said motor.

18. The tearing mechanism of claim 17, wherein:

a) one of the gears in said gear train comprises a toggle gear; and

b) said motor actuates said valve when said toggle gear engages said first cam.

19. The tearing mechanism of claim 18, further comprising:

a) a second cam driven by said motor for actuating said eye lever; and

b) a gear disposed between said second cam and said motor.

20. The tearing mechanism of claim 19, wherein:

a) said motor actuates both of said valve lever and said eye lever.

21. The tearing mechanism of claim 12, further comprising:

a) an eye actuator arm disposed between the eye and said second end of said eye lever.

22. The tearing mechanism of claim 21, further comprising:

a) said eye actuator arm pivots two of the eyes open and closed when said eye lever is actuated by said motor.

23. The tearing mechanism of claim 21, further comprising:

a) first and second switches for limiting actuation of said eye lever between two predetermined positions; and

b) the positions corresponding to open and closed positions of the eye.

24. A tearing mechanism of claim 12, further comprising:

a) an eye in operable engagement with said valve and including an opening for fluid to flow outwardly therefrom.

25. The tearing mechanism of claim 24, wherein:

a) said eye includes a recess for receiving the fluid from said fluid chamber; and

b) a fluid diffuser disposed in said recess for retarding the flow of fluid therethrough.

26. The tearing mechanism of claim 25, wherein:

a) said fluid diffuser comprises a porous material.

27. The tearing mechanism of claim 12, further comprising:

a) a mouth valve for supplying a fluid to said fluid chamber.

28. The tearing mechanism of claim 12, wherein:

a) said fluid chamber comprises a bellows extending generally horizontally between the front and rear of the tearing mechanism.

29. The tearing mechanism of claim 28, wherein:

a) two of said bellows are in fluid communication with said valve; and

b) said bellows are self-pressurized when filled with a fluid.

30. A tearing mechanism for a toy, comprising:

a) a fluid chamber;

b) a valve in operable communication with said fluid chamber for allowing or restricting the flow of a fluid from the tearing mechanism;

c) a motor for actuating said valve;

d) an eye including an opening for fluid to flow outwardly therefrom;

e) a gravity-controlled mechanism comprising a weighted toggle arm for opening or closing said eye;

f) a valve lever including a first end in operable engagement with said motor and a second end in operable engagement with said valve; and

g) a cam driven by said motor for actuating said valve lever.

31. The tearing mechanism of claim 30, further comprising:

a) a switch for limiting actuation of said valve lever to a predetermined position; and

b) the position corresponding to a closed position of said valve.

32. The tearing mechanism of claim 30, wherein:

a) said fluid chamber comprises an expandable chamber.

33. The tearing mechanism of claim 30, wherein:

a) said fluid chamber comprises a bellows.

34. The tearing mechanism of claim 33, wherein:

a) two of said bellows are in fluid communication with said valve.

35. The tearing mechanism of claim 33, wherein:

a) said bellows is self-pressurized when filled with a fluid.

36. A tearing mechanism for a toy, comprising:

a) a fluid chamber;

b) a valve in operable communication with said fluid chamber for allowing or restricting the flow of a fluid from the tearing mechanism;

c) a motor for actuating said valve;

d) an eye including an opening for the fluid to flow outwardly therefrom;

e) said eye including a recess for receiving the fluid from said fluid chamber; and

f) a fluid diffuser disposed in said recess for retarding the flow of fluid therethrough.

37. The tearing mechanism of claim 36, further comprising:

a) said fluid diffuser comprises a porous material.

38. The tearing mechanism of claim 36, further comprising:

a) a valve lever including a first end in operable engagement with said motor and a second end in operable engagement with said valve; and

b) a cam driven by said motor for actuating said valve lever.

39. The tearing mechanism of claim 38, further comprising:

a) a switch for limiting actuation of said valve lever to a predetermined position; and

b) the position corresponding to a closed position of said valve.

40. The tearing mechanism of claim 36, further comprising:

a) a mouth valve for supplying a fluid to said fluid chamber.

41. The tearing mechanism of claim 40, wherein:

a) said fluid chamber comprises a bellows extending generally horizontally between the front and rear of the tearing mechanism.

42. The tearing mechanism of claim 41, wherein:

a) two of said bellows are in fluid communication with said valve.

43. The tearing mechanism of claim 42, wherein:

a) said bellows are self-pressurized when filled with a fluid.

44. A tearing mechanism for a toy, comprising:

a) a fluid chamber;

b) a valve in operable communication with said fluid chamber for allowing or restricting the flow of a fluid from the tearing mechanism;

c) an eye lever for opening or closing an eye;

d) a motor for actuating said eye lever;

e) said eye lever including a first end in operable engagement with said motor and a second end disposed adjacent the eye;

f) first and second magnetically attracting members; and

g) said second end including one of said first and second magnetically attracting members and the eye including the other of said first and second magnetically attracting members.

45. An eye opening or closing mechanism for a toy, comprising:

a) an eye lever for opening or closing an eye;

b) a motor for actuating said eye lever;

c) said eye lever including a first end in operable engagement with said motor and a second end disposed adjacent the eye;

d) first and second magnetically attracting members; and

e) said second end including one of said first and second magnetically attracting members and the eye including the other of said first and second magnetically attracting members.

46. A fluid dispensing mechanism for a figure, comprising:

a) a fluid chamber;

b) a valve in operable communication with said fluid chamber for allowing or restricting the flow of a fluid from the dispensing mechanism;

c) a motor operable in first and second generally opposite directions;

d) a valve lever including a first end in operable engagement with said motor and a second end in operable engagement with said valve; and

e) said motor being in operable engagement with said valve for actuating said valve in only one of said first and second directions.

47. A method of causing a toy to tear, comprising:

a) providing a tearing mechanism, comprising;

i) a fluid chamber;

ii) a fluid valve in operable communication with the fluid chamber for allowing or restricting the flow of a fluid from the tearing mechanism;

iii) a motor operable in first and second generally opposite directions; and

iv) the motor being in operable engagement with the fluid valve for actuating the valve in only one of the first and second directions;

b) supplying a fluid to the fluid chamber via a mouth valve in the toy;

c) actuating the fluid valve by operating the motor in the one of the first and second directions; and

d) allowing the fluid to flow out of one of the eyes of the toy.

48. The method of claim 47, further comprising:

e) partially or completing closing the eyes substantially simultaneously with the step d) to simulate crying.

49. A tearing mechanism for a toy, comprising:

a) a fluid chamber;

b) a valve in operable communication with said fluid chamber for allowing or restricting the flow of a fluid from the tearing mechanism;

c) a motor operable in first and second generally opposite directions;

d) an eye lever for opening or closing an eye; and

e) said eye lever including a first end in operable engagement with said motor and a second end in operable engagement with the eye;

f) said motor being in operable engagement with said valve for actuating said valve in only one of said first and second directions.

50. The tearing mechanism of claim 49, wherein:

a) said motor actuates said eye lever in both of said first and second directions for opening or closing the eye.

51. The tearing mechanism of claim 50, further comprising:

a) first and second switches for limiting actuation of said eye lever between two predetermined positions; and

b) the positions corresponding to open and closed positions of the eye.

52. The tearing mechanism of claim 49, further comprising:

a) a cam driven by said motor for actuating said eye lever; and

b) a gear disposed between said cam and said motor.

53. The tearing mechanism of claim 52, wherein:

a) said motor actuates said eye lever in both of first and second directions for opening or closing the eye.

54. The tearing mechanism of claim 49, further comprising:

a) an eye actuator arm disposed between the eye and said second end of said eye lever.

55. The tearing mechanism of claim 54, wherein:

a) said eye actuator arm pivots two of the eyes open and closed when said eye lever is actuated by said motor.

56. The tearing mechanism of claim 49, wherein:

a) said fluid chamber comprises an expandable chamber.

57. A tearing mechanism for a toy, comprising:

a) a fluid chamber;

b) a valve in operable communication with said fluid chamber for allowing or restricting the flow of a fluid from the tearing mechanism;

c) a motor for actuating said valve;

d) an eye including an opening for fluid to flow outwardly therefrom;

e) a gravity-controlled mechanism for opening or closing said eye;

f) said eye including a recess for receiving the fluid from said fluid chamber; and

g) a fluid diffuser disposed in said recess for retarding the flow of fluid therethrough.

58. The tearing mechanism of claim 57, wherein:

a) said fluid diffuser comprises a porous material.

59. The tearing mechanism of claim 57, further comprising:

a) a mouth valve for supplying a fluid to said fluid chamber.

60. The tearing mechanism of claim 59, wherein:

a) said fluid chamber comprises a bellows extending generally horizontally between the front and rear of the tearing mechanism.

61. The tearing mechanism of claim 60, wherein:

a) two of said bellows are in fluid communication with said valve.

62. The tearing mechanism of claim 61, wherein:

a) said bellows are self-pressurized when filled with a fluid.

63. A toy including a tearing mechanism, the tearing mechanism comprising:

a) a fluid chamber;

b) a valve in operable communication with said fluid chamber for allowing or restricting the flow of a fluid from the tearing mechanism;

c) a motor operable in first and second generally opposite directions;

d) a valve lever including a first end in operable engagement with said motor and a second end in operable engagement with said valve; and

e) said motor being in operable engagement with said valve for actuating said valve in only one of said first and second directions.

64. A toy including a tearing mechanism, the tearing mechanism comprising:

a) a fluid chamber;

b) a valve in operable communication with said fluid chamber for allowing or restricting the flow of a fluid from the tearing mechanism;

c) an eye lever for opening or closing an eye;

d) a motor for actuating one of said valve and said eye lever;

e) a valve lever including a first end in operable engagement with said motor and a second end in operable engagement with said valve; and

f) said eye lever including a first end in operable engagement with said motor and a second end in operable engagement with the eye.

65. A toy including a tearing mechanism, the tearing mechanism comprising:

a) a fluid chamber;

b) a valve in operable communication with said fluid chamber for allowing or restricting the flow of a fluid from the tearing mechanism;

c) a motor for actuating said valve;

d) an eye including an opening for fluid to flow outwardly therefrom;

e) a gravity-controlled mechanism comprising a weighted toggle arm for opening or closing said eye;

f) a valve lever including a first end in operable engagement with said motor and a second end in operable engagement with said valve; and

g) a cam driven by said motor for actuating said valve lever.

66. A toy including a tearing mechanism, the tearing mechanism comprising:

a) a fluid chamber;

b) a valve in operable communication with said fluid chamber for allowing or restricting the flow of a fluid from the tearing mechanism;

c) a motor for actuating said valve;

d) an eye including an opening for the fluid to flow outwardly therefrom;

e) said eye including a recess for receiving the fluid from said fluid chamber; and

f) a fluid diffuser disposed in said recess for retarding the flow of fluid therethrough.

67. A toy including a tearing mechanism, the tearing mechanism comprising:

a) a fluid chamber;

b) a valve in operable communication with said fluid chamber for allowing or restricting the flow of a fluid from the tearing mechanism;

c) an eye lever for opening or closing an eye;

d) a motor for actuating said eye lever;

e) said eye lever including a first end in operable engagement with said motor and a second end disposed adjacent the eye;

f) first and second magnetically attracting members; and

g) said second end including one of said first and second magnetically attracting members and the eye including the other of said first and second magnetically attracting members.

68. A toy including an eye opening or closing mechanism, the eye opening or closing mechanism comprising:

a) an eye lever for opening or closing an eye;

b) a motor for actuating said eye lever;

c) said eye lever including a first end in operable engagement with said motor and a second end disposed adjacent the eye;

d) first and second magnetically attracting members; and

e) said second end including one of said first and second magnetically attracting members and the eye including the other of said first and second magnetically attracting members.

69. A figure including a fluid dispensing mechanism, the fluid dispensing mechanism comprising:

a) a fluid chamber;

b) a valve in operable communication with said fluid chamber for allowing or restricting the flow of a fluid from the dispensing mechanism;

c) a motor operable in first and second generally opposite directions;

d) a valve lever including a first end in operable engagement with said motor and a second end in operable engagement with said valve; and

e) said motor being in operable engagement with said valve for actuating said valve in only one of said first and second directions.