Toy for simulating character motion

• US 7,192,328 B2
• Filed: 12/23/2003
• Issued: 03/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tangle Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Tangle Incorporated
• Inventors: Zawitz, Richard E.
• Primary Examiner(s): MILLER, BENA B
• Application Number:
  US10/744,962
• Publication Number:
  US 20050136792A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,183 Days
• Field of Search: 446/92, 446/227, 446/236, 446/314, 446/315, 446/489, 446/487, 446/102, 446/131, 434/259, 434/258, 434/247, 482/44, 482/47, 482/48, 273/109, 273/110, 273/112, 273/159, 273/440, 63/4, 63/10, 63/15, 63/21, 63/23
• US Class Current: 446/102
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/00 Other toys

Abstract

A method of simulating real-life motion of a character includes providing a toy having a plurality of interconnected links. The links are rotatably attached to one another and the character is attached to one of the links. The method also includes grasping the toy by holding two different links that are separated by at least two other links, one of which is the link to which the character is attached. The method also includes moving the hands with respect to one another, thus causing the character to move in a manner that simulates the real-life motion of the character.

Claims

1. A method of simulating real-life motion of a character, comprising:

providing a toy having a plurality of interlocking links, wherein each link has two ends and a twisting axis at each of the two ends, wherein each twisting axis defines an end interface between adjacent pairs of links, wherein adjacent pairs of the links are rotatably interlocked to one another at the end interface, to thereby allow at least 360 degrees of rotation, such that centerline symmetry is maintained at the end interface between adjacent pairs of links, wherein the character comprises a selection from the group consisting of skateboarder, rollerblader, snowboarder, surfer, skier, and butterfly, and wherein the character is attached to one of the plurality of links;

with hands, grasping the toy by holding two different of the plurality of links, wherein the two different links are separated by at least two other of the plurality of links, one of the two other of the plurality of links being the link to which the character is attached;

moving the hands with respect to one another, thereby causing the character to move in a manner that simulates the real-life motion of the character.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of links comprise links of at least two different sizes.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the links are round and comprise torus sections.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the torus sections comprise one-quaffer torus sections.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the torus sections comprise one-eighth torus sections.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the links comprise square, tubular-shaped objects.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the links are identical.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising attaching the toy to a support structure and positioning the character in a position representative of an action pose of the character.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the links form a continuous center line around the toy, and wherein the continuous center line comprises a line of radial symmetry of the toy.

10. A toy, comprising:

a plurality of interlocking links, wherein each link has two ends and a twisting axis at each of the two ends, wherein each twisting axis defines an end interface between adjacent pairs of links, wherein adjacent pairs of the links are rotatably interlocked to one another at the end interface, to thereby allow at least 360 degrees of rotation with respect to one another, such that centerline symmetry is maintained at the end interface between adjacent pairs of links;

a character attached to one of the plurality of links, wherein the character comprises a torso, arms, and legs, and whereby the character may be manipulated by holding two different of the plurality of links with hands on either side of the character and moving the hands with respect to one another, thereby causing the character to move in a manner that simulates the real-life motion of the character.

11. The toy of claim 10, wherein the plurality of links comprise links of at least two different sizes.

12. The toy of claim 10, wherein the links are round and comprise torus sections.

13. The toy of claim 12, wherein the torus sections comprise one-quarter torus sections.

14. The toy of claim 12, wherein the torus sections comprise one-eighth torus sections.

15. The toy of claim 10, wherein the links are identical.

16. The toy of claim 10, wherein the links comprise square, tubular-shaped objects.

17. The toy of claim 10, further comprising a support structure to which the plurality of link are attached, the support structure configured to support the character in a position representative of an action pose of the character.

18. The toy of claim 10, wherein the character comprises a selection from the group consisting of skateboarder, rollerblader, snowboarder, surfer, and skier.

19. The toy of claim 10, wherein the links form a continuous center line around the toy, and wherein the continuous center line comprises a line of radial symmetry of the toy.