U.S. patent application number 11/582713 was filed with the patent office on 2007-04-26 for mechanical striking toy.
This patent application is currently assigned to Funrise Toys, Ltd. Invention is credited to Chor Yin Cheung, Ying Yew Man.
Application Number | 20070093174 11/582713 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37985981 |
Filed Date | 2007-04-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070093174 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cheung; Chor Yin ; et
al. |
April 26, 2007 |
Mechanical striking toy
Abstract
A mechanical striking toy comprises a first assembly having a
support part; and a second assembly mounted on the support part and
having a pressing part, the pressing part receiving the press
action from the user to drive a linkage-driven part of the first
assembly, and to drive in turn the execution part of the first
assembly to rotate. Further, the linkage-driven part comprises a
push rod, the upper surface of a first segment of the push rod
contacting against the pressing portion of the pressing part; and
an eccentric wheel directly driving the execution part, the
eccentric wheel connected pivotally to the support part at a
rotation center, the eccentric wheel having a pressed portion
displaced from the rotation center, and the pressed portion
contacting against the end of the push rod.
Inventors: |
Cheung; Chor Yin; (Wanchai,
CN) ; Man; Ying Yew; (North Point, CN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
YING CHEN
255 S. GRAND AVE.
# 215
LOS ANGELES
CA
90012
US
|
Assignee: |
Funrise Toys, Ltd
|
Family ID: |
37985981 |
Appl. No.: |
11/582713 |
Filed: |
October 18, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/336 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 13/02 20130101;
A63F 7/0672 20130101; A63H 13/10 20130101; A63F 7/0616 20130101;
A63F 3/00643 20130101; A63F 3/00 20130101; A63F 7/0017
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/336 |
International
Class: |
A63H 13/02 20060101
A63H013/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 21, 2005 |
CN |
200520129484.6 |
Claims
1. A mechanical striking toy, comprising a first assembly having a
support part and a second assembly mounted on the support part and
having a pressing part, the pressing part receiving the press
action from the user to drive a linkage-driven part of the first
assembly, and to drive in turn the execution part of the first
assembly to rotate, characterized in that the linkage-driven part
comprises: a push rod, the upper surface of a first segment of the
push rod contacting against the pressing portion of the pressing
part; and an eccentric wheel directly driving the execution part,
the eccentric wheel connected pivotally to the support part at a
rotation center, the eccentric wheel having a pressed portion
displaced from the rotation center, and the pressed portion
contacting against the end of the push rod.
2. The mechanical striking toy according to claim 1, characterized
in that the shape of the pressing part simulates the head, neck and
upper body of a human being.
3. The mechanical striking toy according to claim 2, characterized
in that the pressing part receives the press action at the upper
end of the simulated head.
4. The mechanical striking toy according to claim 2, characterized
in that the second assembly further includes at least one arm
member, the at least one arm member connecting to the pressing
part.
5. The mechanical striking toy according to claim 2, characterized
in that the pressing part is formed by combining two matched
casings.
6. The mechanical striking toy according to claim 2, characterized
in that the shape of the support part simulates the waist, the
buttocks and a fixed leg of a human being.
7. The mechanical striking toy according to claim 6, characterized
in that the support part is formed by combining two matched
casings.
8. The mechanical striking toy according to claim 6, characterized
in that the execution part includes an upper section simulating the
thigh of a human being and a lower section simulating the shank and
foot of a human body.
9. The mechanical striking toy according to claim 8, characterized
in that the lower section is capable of self-lockably rotating
about the end of the upper section.
10. The mechanical striking toy according to claim 1, characterized
in that the linkage-driven part further includes an elastic member
to reposition the pressing part and the push rod.
11. The mechanical striking toy according to claim 1, characterized
in that the pressing part further includes a lifting portion, the
upper surface of the lifting portion contacting against the bottom
surface of a first segment of the push rod.
12. The mechanical striking toy according to claim 11,
characterized in that: the pressing portion is a vertical rib plate
extending from the inner surface of the pressing part; the lifting
portion is a horizontal rib plate extending from the inner surface
of the pressing part; and the end of the vertical rib plate
intersects the middle portion of the horizontal rib plate, the
vertical rib plate has a first notch at the intersection, and the
horizontal rib plate has a second notch at the intersection.
13. The mechanical striking toy according to claim 12,
characterized in that the linkage-driven part further includes an
elastic member to reposition the pressing part and the push
rod.
14. The mechanical striking toy according to claim 13,
characterized in that the elastic member is a spring.
15. The mechanical striking toy according to claim 14,
characterized in that the push rod also includes a second segment
and a third segment, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the first
segment is a rectangle, resulting in an enlarged head of the push
rod; the cross-sectional shape of the second segment is a
rectangle, but the size of each edge of the rectangle in the second
segment is smaller than the corresponding edge in the first
segment, and the back surface of the first segment projects from
the back surface of the second segment, resulting in a backward
projected portion of the first segment; the cross-sectional shape
of the third segment is a rectangle, the length of the
cross-section in the third segment is larger than that of the
second segment, and the end of the third segment is the end of the
push rod; and the spring is surrounded about the second
segment.
16. The mechanical striking toy according to claim 15,
characterized in that the length of the cross-section in the third
segment is larger than the diameter of the spring.
17. The mechanical striking toy according to claim 15,
characterized in that the first segment is positioned into the
first notch, and the second segment passes through the second notch
and extends downward.
18. The mechanical striking toy according to claim 15,
characterized in that two pressing-spring ribs respectively extend
downward from the bottom surface of the horizontal rib plate
adjacent to the two side edges of the second notch, and the upper
end of the spring contacts against the bottom surface of the
pressing-spring rib.
19. The mechanical striking toy according to claim 18,
characterized in that the support part has a plate extending
upward, and the lower end of the spring contacts against the upper
surface of the plate at least when the push rod moves downward.
20. The mechanical striking toy according to claim 1, characterized
in that the pressed portion of the eccentric wheel is below the end
of the push rod, and configured to be rear of the rotation center
in the original state.
21. The mechanical striking toy according to claim 20,
characterized in that the pressed portion of the eccentric wheel is
configured to be in the horizontal rear of the rotation center in
the original state.
22. The mechanical striking toy according to claim 20,
characterized in that the pressed portion of the eccentric wheel is
a bar connected to the eccentric wheel in the horizontally
transverse direction.
23. The mechanical striking toy according to claim 20,
characterized in that the pressed portion of the eccentric wheel is
a protrusion or bar extending from the eccentric wheel in the
horizontally transverse direction.
24. The mechanical striking toy according to claim 1, characterized
in that the first assembly includes a base, on which the end of the
support part is fixed.
25. The mechanical striking toy according to claim 24,
characterized in that the base has a recess thereon for
accommodating the struck object.
26. The mechanical striking toy according to claim 24,
characterized in that the base includes an adjustment mechanism
having a placement portion, and the placement portion is movable
relative to the base.
27. The mechanical striking toy according to claim 26,
characterized in that the placement portion is linearly movable
relative to the base only in a horizontally longitudinal
direction.
28. The mechanical striking toy according to claim 26,
characterized in that the placement portion has a recess thereon to
place the struck object.
29. The mechanical striking toy according to claim 1, characterized
by further including a target member positioned in front of the
execution part with a spaced distance.
30. The mechanical striking toy according to claim 1, characterized
in that the execution part has an inside stopper to prevent the
execution part from rotating beyond the desired angle.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a striking toy,
particularly, a mechanical striking toy.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The "mechanical striking toy" is a toy a movable part of
which can be driven to strike an object by manually pressing its
certain part. For example, a mechanical striking toy in the prior
art has an appearance simply simulating the shape of a human being,
and has a movable leg (usually being the right leg) which can be
driven to kick a struck object such as a football by pressing its
head.
[0003] In such mechanical striking toys, the neck, the upper body,
the waist and a fixed leg of the simulated human being are usually
configured as a first assembly (which is generally formed by
combining together two integrally molded plastic casings through
connection means such as screws and the like), and the simulated
head itself is configured as a movable part for receiving the press
action.
[0004] In the above design in the prior art, the travel of the
press action is restricted by the distance between the lower end of
the head and the shoulder of the upper body. Therefore, with
respect to a toy with a given dimension, it is usually necessary
that the dimension of the head is shortened unproportionally while
the dimension of the neck is lengthened unproportionally, in order
to achieve a proper pressing travel for the head.
[0005] Moreover, for the purpose of simple manufacture and
convenient assembly in the current mechanical striking toy, a
linkage-driven push rod is usually configured into an extension
rod, which extends downward from the head and directly applies
force to the movable leg, and a spring for restoring the integral
unit consisting of the extension rod and the head is provided in
the neck of the toy. It can be seen from this design that the
length of the extension rod cannot be designed having sufficient
length, since the extension rod directly extends downward from the
head (and the strength and the whole size of the toy should be
considered). Therefore, this causes the size of the upper body and
the waist of the toy will be shortened unproportionally.
[0006] In addition, an important issue is that the movable leg in
the current mechanical striking toy is configured as a simple lever
mechanism, the fulcrum of which is pivotally connected to the waist
of the toy. The end of the short arm of the lever is configured to
directly contact with the lower end of the extension rod, and the
long arm of the lever is shaped as a leg to kick an object. In this
design, in order to assure the effective contact between the
extension rod and the end of the short arm during the pressing
procedure (since the rotation movement of the lever during this
procedure will result in a relative displacement between the end of
the short arm and the contact point of the extension rod moving
along a vertical line), the short arm is usually configured as a
thick rod with a tilting end surface. The projection length of the
tilting end surface in the vertical direction should be
substantially equal to or greater than the effective pressing
travel. The term "effective pressing travel" is referred to the
travel in which the extension rod downward moves after its lower
end contacts the titling end surface of the short arm. The
effective pressing travel may be less than the total travel of the
extension rod due to the existence of the gaps between the
parts.
[0007] For achieving a proper effective pressing travel for the
extension rod and because of the short arm of the lever being
impossible to be designed too thick, the angle .theta. between the
titling end surface and the vertical direction is relatively
little, thus directly resulting in the less effective component
force F.sub.1, which actually drives the lever to rotate, of the
pressing force F.sub.0 of the extension rod during pressing
(according to simple knowledge of mechanics, the effective
component force F.sub.1 can be given as follows: F.sub.1=sin
.theta.F.sub.0). Obviously, there is an adverse effect on the press
action by the user, and the fulcrum of the lever is subject to the
greater component force of the pressing force F.sub.0 along the
direction of the tilting surface.
[0008] The fulcrum of the lever sustaining the undesirable greater
component force requires the fulcrum of the lever having a higher
support strength, and also results in an increased rotational
friction force at the fulcrum, which is disadvantageous to the
striking movement, and increases the abrasion between the
associated parts at the fulcrum, causing a reduced service life of
the toy. Accordingly, two fulcrums are usually provided at the left
and right sides of the lever in the prior art, and the double
fulcrums can enhance the support strength of the fulcrum of the
lever. But the essential problems have not been solved at all, such
as the bad operation feel brought to the user, the increased
friction and the increased abrasion.
[0009] Additionally, the linkage-driven scheme in the form of
simple lever also further aggravates the disproportion problem
among the sizes of various parts of the toy. It can be deduced from
the geometric analysis that, for example, assuming that the
projected space between the extension rod and the fulcrum of the
lever in the horizontal plane is R, then the effective pressing
travel of the head and extension rod should be at least R to enable
the lever to rotate 45.degree.. Thus, the structure cannot produce
a desired travel amplification, and requires a relatively large
travel of the head and extension rod of the toy, thus aggravating
the disproportion problem among various parts of the toy.
[0010] In sum, since the above problems exist in the current
mechanical striking toys, there is a need for those skilled in the
art to develop a new mechanical striking toy, which at least solves
the above problems in the prior art, has a simple structure for
convenience of assembly and manufacture, and also has a better
operability and interaction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] For the better understanding of the spirit of the invention,
some important terms herein will be defined as follows:
[0012] The term "horizontally transverse" herein is referred to the
width direction of the toy, i.e., the horizontally left-right
direction in the ordinary sense;
[0013] The term "horizontally longitudinal" herein is referred to
the thickness direction of the toy, i.e., the horizontally
forward-backward direction in the ordinary sense;
[0014] The term "vertical direction" herein is referred to the
height direction of the toy.
[0015] The term "striking toy" herein is referred to any toy
capable of striking an object, which does not necessarily mean that
the striking toy must actually strike or kick any object, provided
that the toy may perform an striking action.
[0016] An object of the present invention is to reduce the friction
at the rotation center of the execution part in the toy, and lower
the abrasion of the related parts, thus improving the operation
hand-feel of the user and elongating the service life of the
striking toy. Specifically, the present invention provides a
mechanical striking toy, comprising a first assembly having a
support part; and a second assembly mounted on the support part and
having a pressing part, the pressing part for receiving the press
action from the user to drive a linkage-driven part of the first
assembly, and to drive in turn the execution part of the first
assembly to rotate. Further, the linkage-driven part comprises a
push rod, the upper surface of a first segment of the push rod
contacting against the pressing portion of the pressing part; and
an eccentric wheel/cam directly driving the execution part to
rotate, the eccentric wheel connected pivotally to the support part
at a rotation center, the eccentric wheel having a pressed portion
displaced from the rotation center, and the pressed portion
contacting against the end of the push rod.
[0017] A further object of the present invention is to harmonize
the size proportion among various parts in the toy. Specifically,
in the mechanical striking toy, the shape of the pressing part
simulates the head, neck and upper body of a human being; the
pressing part receives the press action at the upper end of the
simulated head; the shape of the support part simulates the waist,
buttocks and a fixed leg of a human being.
[0018] Another further object of the present invention is to impart
a better interaction to a striking toy. Specifically, in the
mechanical striking toy, the execution part includes an upper
section simulating the thigh of a human being and a lower section
simulating the shank and foot of a human body, and the lower
section capable of self-lockably rotating about the end of the
upper section. The first assembly includes a base to which the end
of the support part is attached. Further, the base includes an
adjustment mechanism having a placement portion movable relative to
the base for accommodating the struck object. The mechanical
striking toy further includes a target member positioned spaced
from and in front of the execution part.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] Although the summary of the present invention have been
provided above, the specific embodiments for the invention will be
illustrated in detail in connection with the appended drawings, in
order to achieve a better understanding of the technical
particulars and advantages of the present invention for those
skilled in the art to implement the technical solution of the
present invention based on the description herein. The appended
drawings comprise:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mechanical striking toy
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 2A is an assembly view illustrating an exploded first
assembly included in the striking toy of FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the exploded first assembly
of FIG. 2A after being assembled;
[0023] FIG. 3A is an assembly view illustrating an exploded second
assembly included in the striking toy of FIG. 1 and the first
assembly shown in FIG. 2B;
[0024] FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the exploded first assembly
of FIG. 3A after being assembled with the first assembly of FIG.
2B;
[0025] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the base for the striking
toy of FIG. 1, wherein the adjustment mechanism is in the original
position;
[0026] FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the base for the striking
toy of FIG. 1, wherein the adjustment mechanism is in an adjusted
position;
[0027] FIG. 5A shows how the striking toy of FIG. 1 strikes the
struck object with the adjustment mechanism in the original
position;
[0028] FIG. 5B shows how the striking toy of FIG. 1 strikes the
struck object with the adjustment mechanism in the adjusted
position;
[0029] FIG. 6A is a front view of the striking toy of FIG. 1,
wherein the execution part is in the position to kick the ball in
the straight and front direction;
[0030] FIG. 6B is another front view of the striking toy of FIG. 1,
wherein the execution part is in the position to kick the ball in
the right 45.degree. direction; and
[0031] FIG. 6C is still another front view of the striking toy of
FIG. 1, wherein the execution part is in the position to kick the
ball in the left 45.degree. direction.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0032] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
general shape of the striking toy usually simulates the appearance
and garb of a human being, especially professional sportsman (such
as football players, American football players, Rugby players, and
the like). For example, the general shape of a striking toy 100
shown in FIG. 1 simulates the appearance and garb of an American
football player. The striking toy comprises a first assembly 20
having a movable execution part 70, and a second assembly 40 for
receiving the press action from the user. In an embodiment, the
execution part 70 is rotatably connected to the upper portion of a
leg of the striking toy 100, and has an inside stopper to prevent
the execution part 70 from rotating beyond the desired angle.
[0033] FIG. 2A is an assembly view of the exploded first assembly
20. As shown in the figure, the first assembly 20 includes a
support part 22, a linkage-driven part 60, and an execution part
70. The support part 22 thereof simulates the waist and a fixed leg
of a human being, and is formed by combining a front casing 22a and
a back casing 22b of the support part, both of which are matched
with each other. These casings are usually molded, and the method
for combining these casings are well-known in the art and not
further described in detail herein.
[0034] Preferably, one or more reinforcing rib plates are provided
in the casings 22a and 22b. For example, in the casing 22b, a rib
plate 23a is provided at a position corresponding to the middle
portion of the thigh, and another rib plate 23b is provided at a
position corresponding to the buttock. Similar parts are provided
in the casing 22a. It is apparent that these reinforcing rib plates
can effectively reinforce the integral strength of the support part
22.
[0035] At the upper ends of the waists of the front and back
casings 22a, 22b of the supporting part 22 are a flange 21a and a
flange 21b extending outward, respectively. Each of the front and
back casings 22a and 22b of the supporting part 22 respectively has
a waist separation sheet 24a and 24b on the upper end surface of
the waist. Each of the waist separation sheets 24a and 24b
respectively has a notch 25a and 25b at the center of their
respective side edge. When the front and back casings are jointed
together, the side edges of the waist separation sheets 24a and 24b
are flushed, and both of the notches 25a and 25b are aligned with
each other to define an integral horizontally longitudinal groove
25, so as to provide an access passage from the second assembly 40
to the execution part 70 for the linkage-driven part 60.
[0036] Two right-angled plates 26a' and 26a'' respectively extends
from the two side edges of the groove 25a. An edge of each
right-angled plate 26 is substantially aligned with the
corresponding edge of the groove 25, and another edge is
substantially aligned with or spaced from the corresponding edge of
the waist separation sheet. Two similar right-angled plates 26b'
and 26b'' are provided at the side edges of the groove 25b. When
the front and back casings 22a and 22b are combined together, four
right-angled plates 26a', 26a'', 26b' and 26b'' are arranged
vertically around the groove 25 to provide a support for the
elastic repositioning member in the linkage-driven part 60 and also
provide a guiding function for the push rod 61 described
hereinafter.
[0037] In the embodiment, the linkage-driven part 60 includes a
push rod 61, a repositioning spring 64, and an eccentric wheel/cam
66.
[0038] The push rod 61 employs a three-segment structure, i.e., a
first segment 61a, a second segment 61b, and a third segment 61c.
The first segment 61a, which has a substantially rectangular
cross-sectional shape and a shorter length in the vertical
direction, defines an enlarged head of the push rod 61.
[0039] The cross-sectional shape of the second segment 61b is also
substantially rectangular, but the size of each side of the
rectangle in the second segment 61b is shorter than the
corresponding side in the first segment 61a. In particular, the
front surface of the second segment 61b has a smaller offset from
or is substantially aligned with the front surface of the first
segment 61a. Thus, the back surface of the first segment 61a
significantly projects from the back surface of the second segment
61b so that a backward projected portion of the first segment 61a
is formed. A repositioning spring 64 with a proper diameter can be
surrounded about the second segment 61b from the first segment 61a
of the push rod 61. It should be appreciated for those skilled in
the art that the first segment 61a, as an enlarged head of the push
rod 61, is still less than the diameter of the repositioning spring
64. Therefore, after the assembling, the upper end of the
repositioning spring 64 will not be limited by the first segment
61a.
[0040] The cross-sectional shape of the third segment 61c is also
substantially rectangular, and the width of the cross-section is
the same as that of the second segment 61b, but the length of the
cross-section is larger than that of the second segment 61b (the
length of the cross-section of rectangle is the length in the
horizontally longitudinal direction) and is greater than the
diameter of the repositioning spring 64. In other words, the
cross-sectional shape of the third segment 61c is a flat longer
rectangle. The end of the third segment (i.e., the end of the push
rod 61) extends through the groove 25 to contact against the
pressed portion 67 of the eccentric wheel 26. It can be appreciated
for those skilled in the art that the shape of the groove 25 is
substantially matched with the cross-sectional shape of the third
segment 61c, and the cross section of the groove 25 is slightly
larger than the cross section of the third segment 61c. Further, in
the original state (i.e., the state wherein no press action is
done), the upper end surface of the third segment 61c is
substantially flush with the upper end surface of the right-angled
plate 26. Thus, as the push rod 61 is pushed integrally downward,
the upper end surface of the right-angled plate 26 may support the
lower end of the repositioning spring 64.
[0041] A side of the eccentric wheel 66 is fixed on the execution
part 70, or alternatively, the eccentric wheel 66 can be formed
integrally with the end of the execution part 70. The connecting or
forming manner of the eccentric wheel 66 with the execution part 70
may be not important, provided that the eccentric wheel 66 can
directly drives the execution part 70.
[0042] Another side of the eccentric wheel 66 is connected
pivotally to the support part 22 at a rotation center (not shown).
The pressed portion 67 of the eccentric wheel 66 for receiving the
pressure from the push rod is displaced from the rotation center.
Preferably, in the original state, the pressed portion 67 is
positioned in the horizontal rear of the rotation center. This
driving manner using an eccentric wheel and a matched push rod with
an flat and long end enables the larger effective component force
of the pressing force to actually drive the execution part 70 to
rotate, with only the less component force applied to the rotation
center. Therefore, the toy according to embodiments of the present
invention can lower the friction at the rotation center of the
execution part 70 in the toy 100, and reduce the abrasion of the
related parts, thus providing an improved hand-feel for the user's
operation and elongating the service life of the striking toy
100.
[0043] The above support part 22, linkage-driven part 60 and
execution part 70 after being assembled together constitute the
first assembly 20 shown in FIG. 2B. In order to further complete
the striking assembly 100, the assembled first assembly 20 should
be assembled at least with the parts of the second assembly 40
together, as shown in FIG. 3A.
[0044] The second assembly 40 includes a head and an upper body
part (including a neck), and is formed of a front casing 43a and a
back casing 43b connected together, particularly referred to as
pressing part 43 herein. Further, the second assembly 40 also
includes two arm member 44a and 44b, which are connected to the
left and right sides of the pressing part 43 fixedly, pivotally, or
rotatably with self-locking. The second assembly 40 also may
include a face protection shield 42 and the like to protect the
head 41a.
[0045] It should be noted that the head 41a and the upper body 41b
in the preferred embodiment of the present invention is an integral
unit (i.e. the pressing part 43), which receives the press action
from the user and move downward together. Obviously, such parts can
be designed in the proper proportion between different parts as
desired, and the problem does not exist any longer that the size
proportion between the various parts of the striking toys in the
prior art cannot be harmonized or is difficult to be harmonized. Of
course, it is necessary to appropriately design the movement
transmission relationship between the second assembly 40 and the
push rod 61 of the first assembly.
[0046] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a
plurality of rib plates with multiple functions are provided in the
back casing 43b of the pressing part 43. These rib plates not only
reinforce the integral strength of the pressing part 43, but also
achieve the movement transmission relationship with the push rod 61
in the first assembly 20.
[0047] As shown in FIG. 3A, a vertical rib plate (referred to a
pressing portion 45 herein) extends integrally along the vertical
middle line of symmetry within the pressing part 43. In the
meantime, a horizontal rib plate (referred to a lifting portion 46)
extends integrally in the horizontally transverse direction within
the pressing part 43. The end of the pressing portion 45 intersects
the middle portion of the lifting portion 46. The pressing portion
45 has a first notch 47a at the intersection, and the lifting
portion 46 also has a second notch 47b at the intersection.
Preferably, two pressing-spring ribs 49a and 49b extend downward
respectively from the bottom surface of the lifting portion 46
adjacent to the two side edges of the second notch 47b. In the
horizontally longitudinal direction, the two pressing-spring ribs
preferably extend forward beyond the side edge of the lifting
portion 46, and more preferably extends sufficiently forward to
press against the repositioning spring 64 which will contact
against the spring ribs. Furthermore, the two pressing-spring ribs
also preferably extend backward finally into the inner wall of the
back casing 43b of the pressing part 43. Additionally, Each of the
ends of the front casing 43a and the back casing 43b in the
pressing part 43 has a flange 48 extending inward.
[0048] When assembling the assembled first assembly 20 and the
parts of the second assembly 40, the backward projection portion of
the first segment 61a of the push rod 61 engages into the first
notch 47a to be positioned between the end of the pressing portion
45 and the upper surface of the lifting portion 46. The second
segment 61b of the push rod 61 passes through the second notch 47b
and extends downward, and the repositioning spring 64 around the
second segment 61b contacts against the bottom surface of the
pressing-spring rib 49. Preferably, the repositioning spring 64
should be in a preloaded state to make the second assembly 40 in
the original state have a "tendency" of moving upward relative to
the first assembly 20, thus the flange 48 extending inward from the
lower end of the pressing part 43 contacting against the flange 21
extending outward from at the upper end of the waist of the support
part 22 (which can be realized by simply configuring the size
relationship among various parts or portions, not described in
detail herein). Such preferred configuration provides a relatively
tight "clip-on" engagement between the first assembly 20 and the
second assembly 40, which ensures the complete repositioning of the
pressing part 43 and effective positioning between the first
assembly 20 and the second assembly 40. The assembled first
assembly 20 and second assembly 40 is shown in FIG. 3B.
[0049] Additionally, the striking toy 100 of FIG. 1 also may
include a struck object 80, which is removably placed in front of
and below the execution part 70. And when the pressing part 43 is
pressed down, the execution part 70 strikes the struck object 80 to
make it move. The struck object is preferably an object of light
material, more preferably a ball object, such as a hollow ball
(e.g., a micro-football or micro-rugby) made of rubble or
plastics.
[0050] Particularly, the first assembly 20 also may include a base
50 on which the end of the support part 22 is fixed. The base 50
usually has a relatively large bottom area to enable the support
part fixed thereon to be placed more securely on the desk or
ground. Preferably, the weight of the base 50 may be relatively
great to provide a better stability for the striking toy 100.
Further, for the convenience of placing the struck object 80 on the
base 50, a recess may be provided on the upper surface of the base
for placing the struck object 80 (the periphery of the recess may
project slightly from the upper surface of the base) to prevent the
struck object 80 from the undesired rolling or displacement.
[0051] Alternatively, an adjustment mechanism 55 may be provided in
the base 50 to specially adjust the position of the struck object.
FIGS. 4A and 4B show the base 50 with such an adjustment mechanism.
It can be seen that the adjustment mechanism 55 has a placement
portion 51. The recess 52 on the placement portion 51 is used to
accommodate the struck object 80, and the placement portion 51 may
be linearly moved relative to the base 50 along a horizontally
longitudinal direction. The various possible positions of the
placement portion may be defined as an original position and at
least one adjusted position with an increased distance from the
execution part. The user can adjust the distance between the struck
object 80 and the execution part 70 by withdrawing the adjustment
mechanism 55 from the base 50 or pushing the adjustment mechanism
55 into the base 55. The adjustment mechanism 55 may be implemented
in a variety of ways, and its specific structure is well-known or
easily realized for those skilled in the art, not described in
detail herein.
[0052] FIGS. 5A and 5B show a kicking process to the struck object
80 by the striking toy 100 respectively in the original position
and in an adjusted position. As the head 41a of the striking toy
100 is pressed downward, the second assembly 40 along moves down
for a distance, and the push rod 61 also moves down for the same
distance. The end of the push rod 61 pushes the eccentric wheel 66
to rotate to drive the execution part 70 to rotate, and the
execution part 70 finally strikes the struck object 80.
[0053] Since the distance between the execution part 70 and the
struck object 80 in FIG. 5A is less than the distance between the
execution part 70 and the struck object 80 in FIG. 5B, the struck
point between the execution part 70 and the struck object 80 in
FIG. 5A is lower in height than the struck point between the
execution part 70 and the struck object 80 in FIG. 5B. As shown,
the flying height of the object in FIG. 5A is higher than the
flying height of the object in FIG. 5B.
[0054] Further, the execution part may be divided into two
sections, i.e., an upper section 72 simulating the thigh of a human
being and a lower section 74 simulating the shank and foot of a
human body. In a preferred embodiment, the lower section 74 may
self-lockably rotate about the end of the upper section 72 over a
certain angle range. The self-lockable rotation herein means that,
when rotated manually about the front end of the upper section 72
to some specified positions or any positions, the lower section 72
can keep fixation relative to the upper section 72 in those
positions. A variety of connecting means for self-lockable rotation
are well-known for those skilled in the art, and then the specific
connecting structure for the self-lockable rotation is not
described in detail herein. FIGS. 6A-6C show various states wherein
the lower section 74 is respectively in the straight and front
position, in the striking position of right 45.degree. and in the
striking position of left angle 45.degree., relative to the upper
section 72
[0055] FIG. 6B is another front view of the striking toy of FIG. 1,
wherein the execution part is in the striking position of right
45.degree..
[0056] FIG. 6C is still another front view of the striking toy of
FIG. 1, wherein the execution part is in the striking position of
left 45.degree..
[0057] In another further embodiment of the present invention, a
target member (not shown) is provided for the striking toy 100 to
improve the interaction of the game. For instance, the target
member may be implemented as a football goal or a rugby goal, and
placed in a spaced distance before the execution part 70 to be
aimed at by the user. The striking toy 100 is operated to kick the
struck object 80 into or through the target member.
[0058] Although some exemplary preferred embodiments have been
illustrated and described above, other embodiments can be directly
deduced by those skilled in the art according to the spirit of the
invention, which should be considered to fall into the protection
scope of the present invention. For example, in another embodiment
of the present invention, the general shape of the striking toy may
simulate the shape of carton characters, or alternatively, the
striking toy may have any desired shape, provided that the toy has
a second assembly for receiving the press action from the user and
a first assembly including a movable execution part.
[0059] The present invention claims priority from China Patent
Application No. 200520129484.6, filed Oct. 21, 2005, the content of
which is incorporated herein in its entirety.
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