Flexible toy figure with armature

• US 9,028,292 B2
• Filed: 07/20/2012
• Issued: 05/12/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mattel Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Mattel Incorporated
• Inventors: Benecke, Bill, Sun, Steed, Chen, Thai Cheng
• Primary Examiner(s): MENDIRATTA, VISHU K
• Application Number:
  US13/554,221
• Publication Number:
  US 20130052911A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,026 Days
• Field of Search: 446/375, 446/72, 446/98, 446/100, 446/101
• US Class Current: 446/375
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 3/04 with deformable framework
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 3/16 made of parts that can be put together facial parts only A63H3/365
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 3/46 Connections for limbs
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 9/00 Special methods or compositions for the manufacture of dolls, toy animals, toy figures, or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 48/0012 combined with shaping by internal pressure generated in the material, e.g. foaming
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 69/00 Combinations of shaping techniques not provided for in a single one of main groups B29C39/00 - B29C67/00, e.g. associations of moulding and joining techniques; Apparatus therefore B29C48/001 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4984 Retaining clearance for motion between assembled parts

Abstract

A toy figure is provided that incorporates an articulated armature, the armature including a torso member and multiple limbs, where each limb may be the same or different, and each limb includes at least one limb segment. Each limb segment includes two longitudinal primary plates that intersect approximately orthogonally, and a plurality of substantially parallel secondary plates that intersect with and are approximately orthogonal to both primary plates. The outer edges of the primary and secondary plates of each limb segment substantially define a shape and a volume for that limb portion of the toy figure. The articulated armature is surrounded by a resilient body material to simulate flesh.

Claims

1. A toy figure, comprising:

an articulated armature including a torso member and multiple limbs, where each limb may be the same or different, and each limb includes at least one limb segment;

wherein each limb segment includes two longitudinal primary plates that intersect approximately orthogonally;

a plurality of substantially parallel secondary plates that intersect with and are approximately orthogonal to both primary plates, thereby defining many internal cavities and channels within the limb segments; and

a resilient body that encloses the articulated armature;

wherein the outer edges of the primary and secondary plates of each limb segment substantially define a shape and a volume for a corresponding limb portion of the toy figure; and

wherein the resilient body extends into the internal cavities and channels within the limb segment and tightly interlocks with the articulated armature, such that the resilient body binds to the articulated armature and strongly resists removal.

2. The toy figure of claim 1, wherein each limb of the armature includes at least two limb segments connected by an articulated joint.

3. The toy figure of claim 1, wherein the torso member of the armature is rigid or semi-rigid;

and each limb is connected to the torso member by an articulated joint.

4. The toy figure of claim 3, wherein each limb of the armature includes a distal hand segment or a distal foot segment that is connected to the limb by an articulated joint.

5. The toy figure of claim 1, wherein the armature includes a head segment that is connected to the torso member by an articulated joint.

6. The toy figure of claim 1, wherein each armature limb segment is substantially rigid.

7. The toy figure of claim 1, wherein the secondary plates are substantially equally spaced along at least one of the limb segments.

8. The toy figure of claim 1, wherein a plurality of the secondary plates have a nonuniform plate thickness.

9. The toy figure of claim 8, wherein the nonuniform plate thickness varies along one dimension of the secondary plates.

10. The toy figure of claim 9, wherein for a plurality of the secondary plates the nonuniform plate thickness increases at an outer edge of the secondary plate.

11. The toy figure of claim 9, wherein for a plurality of the secondary plates, the nonuniform plate thickness increases with a distance from an intersection with a primary plate.

12. The toy figure of claim 10, wherein the increased plate thickness of the secondary plates enhances a retention of the surrounding resilient body.

13. The toy figure of claim 1, where for a plurality of the secondary plates, a ratio of secondary plate thickness to a separation width between adjacent secondary plates is about 1:

1 to about 1;

5.

14. The toy figure of claim 1, wherein the primary and secondary plates include circumferential plate edges that in combination define an outer shape and volume appropriate for an upper arm segment, a lower arm segment, an upper leg segment, or a lower leg segment of the toy figure.