U.S. patent application number 13/448753 was filed with the patent office on 2013-10-17 for stackable humanoid toy.
The applicant listed for this patent is Paul Leonhardt. Invention is credited to Paul Leonhardt.
Application Number | 20130273805 13/448753 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49325502 |
Filed Date | 2013-10-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130273805 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Leonhardt; Paul |
October 17, 2013 |
Stackable Humanoid Toy
Abstract
A stackable humanoid toy for children's play is comprised of a
single molded plastic humanoid body with four fixed limbs. A pair
of arms extend from a torso and are positioned in a raised upright
position with the hands formed as spherical balls. A pair of flexed
legs extend beneath the torso and terminate into spherical shaped
feet having socket openings on their bottom surface. The foot
sockets are dimensioned to frictionally mate with the spherical
hands. The pair of hands and pair of feet are further horizontally
equally spaced from each other. Thus one humanoid toy may be
stackably linked to another by putting a hand into a foot, or a
pair of hands into a pair of feet. The ball/socket joints allow for
limited rotation so that one humanoid can be rotated relative to
its coupling partner.
Inventors: |
Leonhardt; Paul; (San Diego,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Leonhardt; Paul |
San Diego |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
49325502 |
Appl. No.: |
13/448753 |
Filed: |
April 17, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61623337 |
Apr 12, 2012 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
446/390 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 3/36 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/390 |
International
Class: |
A63H 3/36 20060101
A63H003/36 |
Claims
1. A humanoid toy for children's play comprising: a torso having
limbs including at least one arm and at least one leg, both said
limbs extending there from; said at least one arm terminating in a
spherical ball hand; and said at least one leg terminating in a
spherical shaped foot.
2. A humanoid toy as in claim 1 and further comprising a socket
located in said spherical shaped foot for frictionally receiving a
spherical ball hand; whereby a first humanoid toy may be stackably
linked to a second humanoid toy by frictionally coupling a
spherical ball hand of the first humanoid toy into a socket of the
second humanoid toy.
3. A humanoid toy for children's play comprising comprising: a
torso having a pair of arms and a pair of legs, both pairs
extending there from; each said arm terminating in a spherical ball
hand; and each said leg terminating in a spherical shaped foot
having within each said foot a socket for receiving a spherical
ball hand.
Description
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This non-provisional patent application claims a priority
benefit to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/623,337 entitled
"Stackable Humanoid Toy" filed in the United States Patent and
Trademark Office on Apr. 12, 2012 by a common Inventor to this
instant application, Paul Leonhardt. Further the above named
Provisional Application in its entirety is hereby incorporated by
reference.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH
[0002] Not Applicable
REFERENCE TO APPENDIX
[0003] Not Applicable
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0004] This invention relates to toy figurines for children's
play.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The invention is a molded plastic humanoid figure having
arms and legs in a predetermined configuration so that a first
humanoid figure may be stackably linked on top of a second humanoid
figure. Each of the two arms of the humanoid figure terminate into
a spherical ball hand. Each of the two legs of the humanoid figure
terminate into a foot with a ball socket. Each foot socket is
configured to frictionally receive and capture a spherical ball
hand of another humanoid figure. The humanoid figures may be
stacked one on top of another in the series, or they may be offset
as will be described in further detail below.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Toy figurines have been a favorite object of desire for many
children for many generations. They are usually made from plastic
or other easily moldable substances so that they may be
mass-produced. Children normally acquire many of these figurines
and play with them in various imaginary scenarios. An important
feature of any figurine is that it can stand on its own and
maintain a specific pose or position which is set by the child. A
further enhancement to any toy or figurine is the ability for the
figurines to interact with each other in some meaningful manner.
Physical interaction such as mechanical linking and or stacking is
an important concept that allows children to create repetitious and
symmetrical shapes and patterns.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES
[0007] The primary purpose of this invention is to promote child's
play and the teaching basic mechanical principles thereof, and of
patterning behavior and shapes."
[0008] Accordingly, several objects and advantages of my invention
are: [0009] (a) to provide a simple, inexpensive, toy that
demonstrates and teaches a few basic mechanical principles, [0010]
(b) to provide a toy that can be mechanically connected in series
one to another and then another; [0011] (c) to provide a toy with a
center of mass located in a stable position so the toy can stand
erect on its own; [0012] (d) to provide a toy that can be easily
decorated so as to identify any well-known personality or
character; and [0013] (e) to provide a toy which will stimulate and
capture the imaginations of children everywhere.
[0014] Further objects and advantages of my invention will become
apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing
description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the
invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the invention in FIG.
1;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a left side elevation view of the invention in
FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a right side elevation view of the invention in
FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a top view of the invention in FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the invention in FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 7 is a photograph of the humanoid toy laying on its
back;
[0022] FIG. 8 is a photograph of the same humanoid toy as in FIG. 7
laying on its back;
[0023] FIG. 9 is a bottom view photograph of the same humanoid toy
as in FIG. 7;
[0024] FIG. 10 is a side elevation view photograph of the same
humanoid toy as in FIG. 7;
[0025] FIG. 11 is a front elevation view photograph of the same
humanoid toy as in FIG. 7;
[0026] FIG. 12 is a bottom view photograph of the same humanoid toy
as in FIG. 7;
[0027] FIG. 13 is a side elevation view photograph of two humanoid
toys stacked directly one on top of the other;
[0028] FIG. 14 is another side elevation view photograph of two
humanoid toys stacked directly one on top of the other;
[0029] FIG. 15 is a further side elevation view photograph of two
humanoid toys stacked directly one on top of the other;
[0030] FIG. 16 is a top side view photograph of two humanoid toys
stacked in a staggered manner one on top of the other;
[0031] FIG. 17 is a top side view photograph of two humanoid toys
rotateably stacked in a staggered manner one on top of the
other;
[0032] FIG. 18 is series of four elevation views showing a right
side, front, left side, and back views with preferred
dimensions;
[0033] FIG. 19 is series of four elevation views showing a right
side, front, left side, and back views of the Skull aesthetic
design;
[0034] FIG. 20 is series of four elevation views showing a right
side, front, left side, and back views of the Yeti aesthetic
design;
[0035] FIG. 21 is series of four elevation views showing a right
side, front, left side, and back views of the Robot aesthetic
design;
[0036] FIG. 22 is series of four elevation views showing a right
side, front, left side, and back views of the Ninja aesthetic
design;
[0037] FIG. 23 is series of four elevation views showing a right
side, front, left side, and back views of the Lucha:A aesthetic
design;
[0038] FIG. 24 is series of four elevation views showing a right
side, front, left side, and back views of the Toon aesthetic
design;
[0039] FIG. 25 is series of four elevation views showing a right
side, front, left side, and back views of the Monkey aesthetic
design;
[0040] FIG. 26 is series of four elevation views showing a right
side, front, left side, and back views of the Spiderman aesthetic
design;
[0041] FIG. 27 is series of four elevation views showing a right
side, front, left side, and back views of The Hulk aesthetic
design;
[0042] FIG. 28 is series of four elevation views showing a right
side, front, left side, and back views of the Lucha:B aesthetic
design;
[0043] FIG. 29 is a front elevation view of multiple humanoids
shown in a stackable configuration;
[0044] FIG. 30 is a side elevation view of two humanoids shown in a
stackable configuration;
[0045] FIG. 31 is a side elevation view of two humanoids shown in a
stackable configuration; and
[0046] FIG. 32 is a front elevation view of multiple humanoids
shown in a stackable configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0047] Now referring to FIG. 1 a first embodiment of the humanoid
toy 10 is shown. The toy 10 is comprised of a torso 14 having two
upright arms 20 and two semi-flexed legs 30. Each of the arms 20
terminates into a spherical ball hand 28. Each of the legs 30
terminates into a spherically shaped foot 32. Each foot 32 is flat
on the bottom so that the humanoid 10 may stand in an up right
position. In the bottom of each foot 32 is a socket 40 (not seen in
this figure) for receiving a spherical hand 28.
[0048] Referring now to FIG. 2 a front elevation view of the
humanoid toy 10 is shown. The torso 14 comprises an upper body
portion 12 and a lower body portion 16. The torso 14 is further
defined by a top surface 11 and a bottom surface 17. Extending from
the midsection of the torso 14 on opposite sides are two arms 20.
Each arm 20 extends in an upright manner and is comprised of a
lower arm 22, an elbow 24, and a forearm 26. Each arm 20 then
terminates in a spherical ball hand 28. The arms 20 are rigidly
fixed to the torso 14.
[0049] Extending from the lower body portion 16 on opposite sides
are two legs 30. Each leg 30 extends from the torso 14 in a flexed
manner and is comprised of a thigh 38, a knee 36, and an ankle 34.
Each leg 30 then terminates in a spherically shaped foot 32. The
legs 30 are rigidly fixed to the torso 14.
[0050] The humanoid toy 10 is symmetrically shaped in this view
about a vertical line 50 drawn through the middle of the torso
14.
[0051] Referring now to FIG. 3 a left side elevation view of the
humanoid toy 10 is shown. In this view it can be seen that the
torso 14 has a front-side 13 and a backside 15. Further it should
be noted that the torso 14 is slightly curved so that the upper
body 12 is bending slightly forward over the lower body 16. The
feet 32 have a perfectly flat surface on their bottom so that the
humanoid toy 10 may stand on its own. Also note for stability
purposes that the center of mass of the humanoid toy 10 is located
directly over the flat surface of the foot 32.
[0052] Referring now to FIG. 4 a right side elevation view of the
humanoid toy 10 is shown. This view is a mirror image of FIG.
3.
[0053] Referring now to FIG. 5 a top view of the humanoid toy 10 is
shown. In this view it can be seen that each of the spherical hands
28 are centered directly over each of the feet 32. Thus it can be
seen that a first humanoid toy 10 may be stacked on top of a second
humanoid toy 10 because the horizontal lateral distance between the
hands 28 is the same horizontal lateral distance as between the
feet 32.
[0054] Referring now to FIG. 6 a bottom view of the humanoid toy 10
is shown. In this view it can be seen that each socket 40 contained
in a foot 32 is centered directly over a spherical hand 28. Also
the lateral front 13 to back 15 center of mass of the torso 14 is
located on a imaginary line (not shown) from the center of one foot
32 to the other foot 32.
[0055] Referring now to FIG. 7 a three-quarter top photograph view
of the humanoid toy 10 is shown. The toy 10 is laying on its back
and the curvature of the torso 14 is such that the upper body 12 is
leaning forward as if to view the feet 32. The sockets 40 are
contained in the feet 32 and dimensioned to receive the spherical
ball hands 28 of another humanoid toy 10. In this series of FIGS.
11-17, the right foot 32 is missing a portion of its spherical
shell and view creates a cross-sectional view of the socket 40. The
interior shape and dimensions of the socket 40 are designed to
frictionally capture the spherical ball hand 28.
[0056] FIG. 8 is another three-quarter top view photograph of the
humanoid toy 10 showing all of the same features as in FIG. 7 and
includes a ruler for illustrating dimensions of the preferred
embodiment.
[0057] FIG. 9 is a bottom view photograph of the humanoid toy 10
showing the feet 32 and sockets 40, and includes a ruler for
illustrating dimensions of the preferred embodiment.
[0058] FIG. 10 is a three-quarter top view photograph of the
humanoid toy 10 showing a close-up view of the spherical ball hand
28.
[0059] FIG. 11 is a front view photograph of the humanoid toy 10
showing all of the same features as in FIGS. 7 & 8 and includes
a ruler for illustrating dimensions of the preferred
embodiment.
[0060] FIG. 12 is a bottom view photograph of the humanoid toy 10
showing the feet 32 and sockets 40, and includes a ruler for
illustrating dimensions of the preferred embodiment.
[0061] FIG. 13 is a side elevation view photograph of a pair of
humanoid toys 60 & 70 shown in a direct stackable
configuration. A `direct stack` occurs when a first humanoid toy 60
stands directly on top of a second humanoid toy 70, such that each
of the sockets 40 in the feet 32 of the first humanoid toy 60
frictionally capture the spherical ball hands 28 of the human toy
70 below.
[0062] FIG. 14 is a side elevation view photograph of a pair of
humanoid toys 60 & 70 shown in a direct stackable
configuration. It should be noted that the ball 28 and socket 40
joint allows for some limited movement. FIG. 14 clearly shows the
upper toy 60 has rotated forward from the vertical torso 14 plane
of the lower toy 70. Note that both toys 60 & 70 are facing in
the same direction, i.e., they are both facing to the left.
[0063] FIG. 15 is a side elevation view photograph of a pair of
humanoid toys 60 & 70 shown in a direct stackable
configuration. Note in this photograph that the upper toy 60 is now
facing to the right while the lower toy 70 is still facing to the
left. The toys 60 & 70 maybe be stacked facing in either
direction without any consideration for the facing direction of a
toy below or above. Many, many toys 10 may be stacked in this
manner theoretically to infinity.
[0064] FIG. 16 is a side perspective view photograph of a pair of
humanoid toys 60 & 70 shown in a staggered stackable
configuration. A `staggered stack` occurs when a first humanoid toy
60 stands on top of a second humanoid toy 70 in an offset manner,
such that only one of the sockets 40 in the feet 32 of the first
humanoid toy 60 frictionally capture one of the spherical ball
hands 28 of the human toy 70 below.
[0065] FIG. 17 is a side perspective view photograph of a pair of
humanoid toys 60 & 70 shown in a staggered stackable
configuration. The upper toy 60 has been rotated 90.degree. from
the torso 14 plane of the lower toy 70. This view demonstrates the
rotational degree of freedom about a vertical axis of the spherical
ball hand 28 in this staggered configuration.
[0066] FIG. 18 shows a series of four elevation views (right side,
front, left side, and back) with preferred dimensions of the
humanoid toy. The color scheme `PMS` notated on the figures is from
the Pantone.RTM. Matching System Color Chart.
[0067] Now referring to FIGS. 19 through 28, a series of aesthetic
designs and color schemes is shown. Each of the figures shown is
identical to the views in FIG. 18.
[0068] FIG. 19 shows the design and color scheme for the humanoid
toy known as Skull.
[0069] FIG. 20 shows the design and color scheme for the humanoid
toy known as Yeti.
[0070] FIG. 21 shows the design and color scheme for the humanoid
toy known as Robot.
[0071] FIG. 22 shows the design and color scheme for the humanoid
toy known as Ninja.
[0072] FIG. 23 shows the design and color scheme for the humanoid
toy known as Luch:A.
[0073] FIG. 24 shows the design and color scheme for the humanoid
toy known as Toon.
[0074] FIG. 25 shows the design and color scheme for the humanoid
toy known as Monkey.
[0075] FIG. 26 shows the design and color scheme for the humanoid
toy known as Spiderman.
[0076] FIG. 27 shows the design and color scheme for the humanoid
toy known as The Hulk.
[0077] FIG. 28 shows the design and color scheme for the humanoid
toy known as Luch:B.
[0078] The humanoid toys 10 may also be modified in various ways to
achieve attachment functions. For example a magnet may be molded
into the torso body 14 for adhering to ferrous metals. Various
hooks, clips, nails, and or screws may also be molded into the
body. Velcro may be adhesively applied to the torso, as can
double-sided tape.
[0079] A lighting system comprising one or more LEDs and an
electrical source such as a small alkaline battery may be
integrated into the humanoid toy 10 during manufacture. The LEDs
may be activated by various means, including a switch, a motion
sensor, or a light sensor. The batteries may optionally be
rechargeable.
[0080] Another embodiment of the humanoid toy 10 includes
articulable limbs. The limbs may be rotated around a joint that
connects the limb to the torso 14.
[0081] A further embodiment of the humanoid toy 10 comprises a two
piece torso that mates or separates after a 90.degree. relative
twist between the upper portion torso portion and the lower torso
portion. An interior compartment may optionally be formed between
the mating torso halves. The compartment can be used for storage
and messaging to the amusement of children.
[0082] While the present invention has been illustrated and
described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, various
modifications will be apparent to and might readily be made by
those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and
spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, it is not intended
that the scope of the claims appended hereto be limited to the
description as set forth herein, but, rather, that the claims be
broadly construed.
* * * * *