U.S. patent application number 14/936369 was filed with the patent office on 2016-03-10 for toy figure assembly.
The applicant listed for this patent is Hasbro, Inc.. Invention is credited to Harry Alexander Botterill, Brian E. Fontaine, Salvatore F. Lama.
Application Number | 20160067619 14/936369 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50151386 |
Filed Date | 2016-03-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160067619 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Botterill; Harry Alexander ;
et al. |
March 10, 2016 |
Toy Figure Assembly
Abstract
A toy figure assembly can be interconnected to construct a toy
figure. The mating parts of the toy figure assembly are structured
for friction fit attachment and include an upper body part
including a neck portion and a trunk portion; a lower body part
including a rod portion, a stud portion, a legs portion, and a feet
portion; and arm parts having a hand portion, a forearm portion, an
elbow portion, an upper arm portion, and a shoulder portion.
Inventors: |
Botterill; Harry Alexander;
(London, GB) ; Fontaine; Brian E.; (Southbridge,
MA) ; Lama; Salvatore F.; (Bolton, MA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hasbro, Inc. |
Pawtucket |
RI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
50151386 |
Appl. No.: |
14/936369 |
Filed: |
November 9, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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13762469 |
Feb 8, 2013 |
9205344 |
|
|
14936369 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
446/99 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 33/04 20130101;
A63H 33/062 20130101; A63H 3/16 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63H 3/16 20060101
A63H003/16; A63H 33/06 20060101 A63H033/06; A63H 33/04 20060101
A63H033/04 |
Claims
1. A toy construction set comprising: a toy figure assembly
comprising: a head part, an upper body part removably attachable to
the head part via a non-snap frictional engagement along a
longitudinal axis, wherein the upper body part has a shape that is
distinct from a shape of the head part and when the upper body part
and the head part are attached, they are rotatable relative to each
other about the longitudinal axis, and a lower body part removably
attachable at a first end to the upper body part via a non-snap
frictional engagement along the longitudinal axis, wherein: the
lower body part has a shape that is distinct from the upper body
part, the lower body part includes no more than a single recess at
a second end structured for non-snap frictional attachment to a
building element not a part from the toy figure assembly via only a
single stud on the building element along the longitudinal axis,
and when the lower body part and the upper body part are attached,
they are rotatable relative to each other about the longitudinal
axis.
2. The toy construction set of claim 1, further comprising a
building element that defines a coupling stud, wherein: when the
coupling stud is frictionally received in a recess defined by the
lower body part, the toy figure assembly is attached to the
building element via a non-snap frictional engagement along the
longitudinal axis, and all of the elements of the toy figure
assembly are removed from the building element and retain non-snap
frictional engagement when the toy figure assembly is pulled only
by the head part along the longitudinal axis.
3. The toy construction set of claim 2, wherein a hierarchy of
interference forces is in effect when a toy figure assembly is
assembled from the head part, the upper body part, and the lower
body part and the lower body part is attached to the single stud of
the building element, the hierarchy of interference forces
including a greatest interference force between the head part and
the upper body part and a weakest interference force between the
lower body part and the stud on the building element, and wherein
the hierarchy of interference forces allows the toy figure assembly
to be removed from the building element as a single unit when the
toy figure assembly is pulled only by the head part along the
longitudinal axis.
4. The toy construction set of claim 2, wherein the upper body part
includes a neck portion and a trunk portion, the neck portion
projecting from a top surface of the trunk portion and having an
inner surface defining a through hole that opens into the trunk
portion.
5. The toy construction set of claim 2, wherein the interference
force between the lower body part and the stud on the building
element corresponds to an interference force between building
elements.
6. The toy construction set of claim 2, further comprising arm
parts structured for snap fit attachment to the upper body part,
wherein connection between the upper body part and the arm parts is
tight enough so that each of the arms parts can maintain any
angular position and is loose enough so that each of the arm parts
can be repositioned without overcoming the interference force
between the lower body part and the stud on the building
element.
7. A toy construction set comprising: one or more building elements
having coupling elements of a first coupling size; one or more
accessory building elements having coupling elements of a second
coupling size that is distinct from the first coupling size; and
one or more toy figure assemblies, each toy figure assembly
comprising: a plurality of interconnectable body parts including an
upper torso body part and a lower legs and feet body part, wherein
the upper torso body part and the lower legs and feet body part are
removeably attachable to each other along a longitudinal axis via a
coupling system that includes: coupling elements of the first
coupling size on the upper torso body part and the lower legs and
feet body part that can be frictionally attached to each other
along the longitudinal axis and to building elements having the
first coupling size, and coupling elements of the second coupling
size on the upper torso body part and the lower legs and feet body
part that can be frictionally attached to each other along the
longitudinal axis and to building elements having the second
coupling size; wherein the coupling elements of the second coupling
size and the coupling elements of the first coupling size on the
upper torso body part and the lower legs and feet body part both
extend along the longitudinal axis.
8. The toy construction set of claim 7, wherein the second coupling
size is smaller than the first coupling size.
9. The toy construction set of claim 7, wherein: the coupling
element of the second coupling size on the upper torso body part
includes an upper longitudinal flat that defines a through hole;
the coupling element of the second coupling size on the lower legs
and feet body part includes a rod portion having a diameter that is
the second coupling size; and the rod portion is engaged by the
upper longitudinal flat when the upper torso body part and the
lower legs and feet body part are connected.
10. The toy construction set of claim 9, wherein: the coupling
element of the first coupling size on the upper torso body part
includes an interior surface that defines an opening; the coupling
element of the first coupling size on the lower legs and feet body
part includes a stud portion having a diameter of the first
coupling size; the rod portion protrudes from the stud portion; and
the stud portion is engaged by the interior surface of the upper
torso body part when the upper torso body part and the lower legs
and feet body part are connected.
11. The toy construction set of claim 7, wherein: each toy figure
assembly comprises an arm part; the upper torso body part defines a
side bore; and the arm part includes a shoulder portion that
connects with the side bore of the upper torso body part by way of
a snap fit.
12. The toy construction set of claim 7, wherein the upper torso
body part includes a trunk portion and a neck portion projecting
from a top surface of the trunk portion and having an inner surface
defining a through hole that opens into the trunk portion and
extends through the trunk portion along the longitudinal axis, the
through hole being of the first coupling size.
13. The toy construction set of claim 7, wherein: each toy figure
assembly includes a head part; the upper torso body part includes a
neck portion projecting from a trunk portion; and the head part
attaches to the neck portion of the upper torso body part.
14. The toy construction set of claim 13, wherein the neck portion
is a coupling element of the first coupling size.
15. The toy construction set of claim 7, wherein the lower legs and
feet body part includes an upper cavity that is the second coupling
size and a lower cavity that is the first coupling size.
16. The toy construction set of claim 7, wherein: the coupling
element of the first coupling size on the lower legs and feet body
part includes a stud portion having a diameter of the first
coupling size, the stud portion extending from a legs portion of
the lower legs and feet body part along the longitudinal axis; the
coupling element of the second coupling size on the lower legs and
feet body part includes a rod portion having a diameter that is the
second coupling size, the rod portion protruding from the stud
portion along the longitudinal axis.
17. The toy construction set of claim 16, wherein the lower legs
and feet body part includes: a lower cavity of a first coupling
size that extends into a feet portion of the lower legs and feet
body part; and an upper cavity that is the second coupling size
that extends from the feet portion to the legs portion of the lower
legs and feet body part.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 13/762,469, filed on Feb. 8, 2013, entitled TOY FIGURE
ASSEMBLY, which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This disclosure relates to an assembly of parts that can be
interconnected to construct a toy figure.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Construction toys that include interlocking plastic building
elements promote creative and imaginative play by end users.
Typically, plastic building elements attach to each other or
interlock using an array of small cylindrical bumps or "studs" on
the top surface of one building element that fit into an array of
holes or recesses on the bottom surface of another building
element. In general, the size and spacing of the studs and holes
are standardized to enable attachment among various types of
building elements and accessories that can be included in one or
more construction toy kits.
[0004] A construction toy kit can include a standard set of pieces
for allowing end users to design and build a variety of different
models. A construction toy kit also can provide instructions for
using certain pieces to build a particular model. In some cases,
construction toy kits can be associated with particular themes for
building models representing historical, contemporary, futuristic,
or fictional structures.
[0005] In addition to building elements, construction toy kits
often include small plastic toy figures to enhance play. Typically,
the toy figures are about 1.5 inches tall and include head, arms,
hands, torso, hips, and legs parts. The toy figures may represent
characters associated with a particular theme and generally are
structured to connect to the building elements and carry
accessories such as small plastic tools.
SUMMARY
[0006] Various implementations are directed to mating parts of a
toy figure assembly, which can be interconnected to construct a toy
figure. The mating parts of the toy figure assembly are structured
for friction fit attachment and may include an upper body part
including a neck portion and a trunk portion; a lower body part
including a rod portion, a stud portion, a legs portion, and a feet
portion; and arm parts having a hand portion, a forearm portion, an
elbow portion, an upper arm portion, and a shoulder (or deltoid)
portion.
[0007] In some general aspects, a toy figure assembly includes an
upper body part defining a side bore and at least two interior
bearing surfaces; an arm part; and a lower body part attached to
the upper body part. The arm part includes a non-shoulder portion,
and a shoulder portion adjacent the non-shoulder portion and having
an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter of the
non-shoulder portion, the shoulder portion having at least two
shoulder bearing surfaces and an axial relief slot that extends
toward the non-shoulder portion. At least one of the upper body
part and the lower body part includes a recess for frictionally
engaging a stud of a toy building element. When the arm part is
snap fit through the bore of the upper body part, the at least two
shoulder bearing surfaces of the shoulder portion abut the at least
two interior bearing surfaces of the upper body part,
respectively.
[0008] Implementations can include one or more of the following
features. For example, the at least two shoulder bearing surfaces
can be seated between the at least two interior bearing surfaces of
the upper body part after the arm part is snap fit through the bore
of the upper body part. The upper body part can include a neck
portion and a trunk portion, the neck portion projecting from a top
surface of the trunk portion and having an inner surface defining a
through hole that opens into the trunk portion. A first of the
interior bearing surfaces of the upper body part can extend from a
neck portion into a trunk portion that defines the side bore, the
first of the interior bearing surfaces facing the bore; and a
second of the interior bearing surfaces of the upper body part can
be a flat inside surface of the trunk portion that defines the side
bore, the second of the interior bearing surfaces facing the first
of the interior bearing surfaces. The trunk portion can include a
front wall, a rear wall, and a side wall connecting the front and
rear walls, one of the walls defining the side bore and the flat
inside surface.
[0009] The toy figure assembly can include a plurality of arm
parts, each arm part being identical to each other.
[0010] The arm part can include an axial relief slot that splits
the shoulder portion and a section of the non-shoulder portion. The
upper body part can attach to the arm part by receiving the entire
shoulder portion and at least the section of the non-shoulder
portion that includes the relief slot into a trunk portion of the
upper body part. Each shoulder portion can include two bottom faces
perpendicular to the periphery of the shoulder portion, the bottom
faces define shoulder bearing surfaces for contacting corresponding
interior bearing surfaces defined by interior sidewalls within the
upper body part. Each shoulder portion can include two top faces
perpendicular to the periphery of the shoulder portion, the top
faces define shoulder bearing surfaces for contacting corresponding
interior bearing surfaces defined by a flat inside surface of the
upper body part.
[0011] The non-shoulder portion of each arm part includes a hand
portion, a forearm portion, an elbow portion, and an upper arm
portion adjacent the shoulder portion. A center-to-center distance
between each hand portion can correspond to a center-to-center
distance between studs of a building element. Each forearm portion,
elbow portion, and upper arm portion of one of the arm parts can
have a standard diameter capable of being held by a hand portion of
a different one of the arm parts.
[0012] In other general aspects, a toy figure assembly includes an
upper body part including a neck portion and a trunk portion, the
neck portion projecting from a top surface of the trunk portion and
having an inner surface defining a through hole that opens into the
trunk portion. The trunk portion includes a front wall, a rear
wall, a side wall defining a side bore and having a flat inside
surface. An inner surface of the front wall and an inner surface of
the rear wall each include an upper longitudinal flat, interior
sidewalls which abut the upper longitudinal flat, and a lower
longitudinal flat. The toy figure assembly also includes a lower
body part structured for friction fit attachment to the upper body
part, the lower body part including a rod portion, a stud portion,
a legs portion, and a feet portion. Each upper longitudinal flat is
structured to cooperate with the interior sidewalls that abut the
upper longitudinal flat to define a track for engaging the rod
portion when received into the trunk portion. Each lower
longitudinal flat is structured to cooperate with the flat inside
surface of the side wall for engaging the stud portion when
received into the trunk portion.
[0013] Implementations can include one or more of the following
features. For example, a bottom surface of each upper longitudinal
flat and bottom surfaces of the interior sidewalls that abut the
upper longitudinal flat can provide stops for contacting a top
surface of the stud portion when received into the trunk
portion.
[0014] Each interior sidewall that abuts the upper longitudinal
flat can be visible through the side bore. Each upper longitudinal
flat can further extend longitudinally along the inner surface of
the neck portion.
[0015] The track can communicate with the through hole. The
interior sidewalls that abut the upper longitudinal flat can define
bearing surfaces for contacting arm parts to be received into the
trunk portion.
[0016] In other general aspects, a toy construction set includes a
toy figure assembly having a head part, an upper body part
removably attachable to the head part via a non-snap frictional
engagement, and a lower body part removably attachable to the upper
body part via a non-snap frictional engagement. The lower body part
includes a single recess structured for non-snap frictional
attachment to a building element via only a single stud on the
building element.
[0017] Implementations can include one or more of the following
features. The toy construction set can also include a building
element that defines a coupling stud. When the coupling stud is
frictionally received in a recess defined by the lower body part,
the toy figure can be attached to the building element via a
non-snap frictional engagement, and all of the elements of the toy
figure can be removed from the building element and retain non-snap
frictional engagement when the toy figure is pulled only by the
head part.
[0018] A hierarchy of interference forces can be in effect when a
toy figure is assembled from the head part, the upper body part,
and the lower body part and the lower body part is attached to the
single stud of the building element, the hierarchy of interference
forces including a greatest interference force between the head
part and the upper body part and a weakest interference force
between the lower body part and the stud on the building element,
and wherein the hierarchy of interference forces allows the toy
figure to be removed from the building element as a single unit
when the toy figure is pulled only by the head part.
[0019] The upper body part can include a neck portion and a trunk
portion, the neck portion projecting from a top surface of the
trunk portion and having an inner surface defining a through hole
that opens into the trunk portion.
[0020] The interference force between the lower body part and the
stud on the building element can correspond to an interference
force between building elements.
[0021] The toy construction set can also include arm parts
structured for snap fit attachment to the upper body part, wherein
connection between the upper body part and the arm parts is tight
enough so that each of the arms parts can maintain any angular
position and is loose enough so that each of the arm parts can be
repositioned without overcoming the interference force between the
lower body part and the stud on the building element.
[0022] In another general aspect, a toy construction set includes
one or more building elements having coupling elements of a first
coupling size; one or more accessory building elements having
coupling elements of a second coupling size that is distinct from
the first coupling size; and one or more toy figure assemblies.
Each toy figure assembly includes a plurality of interconnectable
body parts including an upper torso body part and a lower legs and
feet body part, and at least two of the interconnectable body parts
includes a coupling system to which coupling elements of the first
coupling size and coupling elements of the second coupling size of
the building elements of the set can be frictionally attached.
[0023] In other general aspects, a toy figure assembly includes an
upper body part; a head part structured for friction fit attachment
to the upper body part; and a lower body part structured for
friction fit attachment to the upper body part and structured for
attachment to a building element via only a single stud on the
building element. A hierarchy of interference forces is in effect
when a toy figure is assembled from the head part, the upper body
part, and the lower body part and the lower body part is attached
to the single stud of the building element, the hierarchy of
interference forces including a greatest interference force between
the head part and the upper body part and a weakest interference
force between the lower body part and the stud on the building
element, and wherein the hierarchy of interference forces allows
the toy figure to be removed from the building element as a single
unit when the toy figure is pulled only by the head part.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages
of various implementations will become more readily appreciated and
better understood by reference to the following detailed
description and the accompanying drawings.
[0025] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary toy figure.
[0026] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an assembly for
the toy figure of FIG. 1.
[0027] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of an exemplary upper body
part of the toy figure of FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0028] FIG. 3B is a top plan view of the exemplary upper body part
of FIG. 3A.
[0029] FIG. 3C is a side plan view of the exemplary upper body part
of FIG. 3A.
[0030] FIG. 3D is a side cross-sectional view of the exemplary
upper body part of FIG. 3A taken along the line of FIG. 3C.
[0031] FIG. 3E is a cutaway perspective view of the exemplary upper
body part of FIG. 3A.
[0032] FIG. 3F is a bottom plan view of the exemplary upper body
part of FIG. 3A.
[0033] FIG. 4A is an exploded perspective view of the exemplary
upper body part of FIG. 3A and including exemplary arm parts.
[0034] FIG. 4B is a side cross-sectional view of the exemplary
upper body part and the arm parts of FIG. 4A.
[0035] FIG. 4C is a top plan view of the exemplary upper body part
and the arm parts of FIG. 4A.
[0036] FIG. 4D is a perspective view of the exemplary upper body
part and arm parts of FIG. 4A.
[0037] FIG. 4E is a perspective view of an exemplary upper body
part and an arm part of FIG. 4A in which an interior detail is
shown.
[0038] FIG. 5A is a perspective view of an exemplary lower body
part of the toy figure of FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0039] FIG. 5B is a top plan view of the exemplary lower body part
of FIG. 5A.
[0040] FIG. 5C is a side plan view of the exemplary lower body part
of FIG. 5A.
[0041] FIG. 5D is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary lower
body part of FIG. 5A taken along the line of FIG. 5C.
[0042] FIG. 5E is a bottom plan view of the exemplary lower body
part of FIG. 5A.
[0043] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an exemplary upper body part
and an exemplary lower body part of the toy figure of FIGS. 1 and
2.
[0044] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the toy figure of FIGS. 1
and 2 attached to a toy building element.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0045] Various implementations are directed to parts of an assembly
that can be interconnected to construct a toy figure. Numerous
specific details are set forth; however, the implementations can be
practiced without these specific details. Specific structural and
functional details disclosed herein are representative and do not
necessarily limit the scope of the implementations.
[0046] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an exemplary toy FIG. 10 and its
assembly. As shown, the toy FIG. 10 includes a head part 20, an
upper body part 40, arm parts 60, and a lower body part 80. The
parts of the toy FIG. 10 can be formed from plastic such as
acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or any other suitable
material. While not shown, the parts of the toy FIG. 10 can be
decorated in various ways (for example, with paint or stickers or
etchings) to represent a character associated with a particular
theme. In general, the toy FIG. 10 is a part of a toy construction
kit, which includes standard building elements, each building
element including one or more coupling elements. Coupling elements
of the standard building elements can be male and in the form of a
coupling stud, or can be female and in the form of a coupling
recess that is sized to receive the coupling stud. The male and
female coupling elements can have a first coupling size. For
example, the first coupling size of a standard coupling stud (that
is on the surface of a building element) is defined by a diameter
of 4.88 mm and a height of 1.80 mm and the coupling recesses are
sized to have an interference fit with the coupling studs. An
interference fit is a friction fit in which the fastening between
the coupling elements is achieved by friction after the coupling
elements are pushed together. The interference fit can also involve
a purposeful interference or deformation of one or more of the
coupling elements when they are fastened or pushed together. Thus,
the interference fit can be achieved by shaping the two coupling
elements so that one or the other, or both, slightly deviate in
size from their nominal dimension and one or more of the coupling
elements slightly interferes with the space that the other is
taking up. The toy construction kit can also include other building
elements that include one or more accessory coupling elements that
have a second coupling size that is distinct from (for example,
smaller than) the first coupling size so that the accessory
coupling elements are not able to frictionally engage with the
coupling elements of the standard building elements. For example,
the second coupling size of standard accessories such as rods and
guns that are held by toy figures are defined by a diameter of 3.18
mm.
[0047] As shown, the assembly of the parts of the toy FIG. 10
includes mating parts that can be interconnected to construct the
toy FIG. 10. The mating parts of the assembly include the head part
20, the upper body part 40, the arm parts 60, and the lower body
part 80. Some of the mating parts of the assembly are structured
for friction fit attachment, which can be an interference fit. In
particular, each of the head part 20 and the lower body part 80 is
structured for friction fit attachment to the upper body part 40.
Each of the arm parts 60 is structured for a snap fit with a
seating engagement attachment to the upper body part 40.
Additionally, each of the arm parts 60 can be identical to reduce
the number of different parts to be manufactured for the toy figure
assembly. In some cases, the head part 20 is a standard head of a
different type of toy figure to reduce the number of parts across
multiple product lines.
[0048] As discussed below, each of the upper body part 40 and the
lower body part 80 is designed with one or more coupling elements
of first and second coupling sizes. In this way, the upper body
part 40 and the lower body part 80 can, in addition to being able
to be attached to each other and to the head part 20 and arm parts
60 (for the upper body part 40), also be attached to standard
building elements (having a first coupling size) of the toy
construction kit, accessories (having a second coupling size) of
the toy construction kit, or both standard building elements and
accessories. This enables the body parts 40, 80 to be used with
other pieces of the toy construction kit and promotes play and
creativity on the part of the end user.
[0049] FIGS. 3A-3F illustrate an exemplary upper body part 40.
Referring to FIG. 3A, the upper body part 40 includes a neck
portion 41 and a trunk portion 42, and can be designed and/or
manufactured as a unitary workpiece. In this way, when the upper
body part 40 is implemented as a unitary workpiece, the neck
portion 41 and the trunk portion 42 do not move relative to each
other. The neck portion 41 is structured to attach to the head part
20 of the toy FIG. 10 (shown in FIG. 2, for example) or a standard
head of a different type of toy figure. The head part 20 can be a
cored out piece formed with an opening and cavity sized to receive
the neck portion 41 and can rotate when mounted to the neck portion
41. As shown, the neck portion 41 is structured as a hollow,
cylindrical post extending from the trunk portion 42. The top end
of the neck portion 41 is formed with an opening 43, and the inner
surface of the opening 43 defines a through hole or passage that
extends through the neck portion 41 and opens into an interior of
the trunk portion 42.
[0050] The trunk portion 42 is a hollow piece that includes a top
surface 44, a front wall 45, a left wall 46, a rear wall (opposite
the front wall 45), and a right wall (opposite the left wall 46).
The bottom surfaces of the front wall 45, the left wall 46, the
rear wall, and the right wall define an open bottom end of the
trunk portion 42. As shown, the trunk portion 42 can have rounded
corners and edges. The surfaces of the front wall 45 and the rear
wall each may curve outwardly and have an identical shape. As such,
the front wall 45 or the rear wall each can represent the chest or
back of the toy FIG. 10 depending on the attachment and orientation
of other mating parts. A bore 47 or arm socket is provided in each
of the left wall 46 and the right wall. Each respective bore 47
passes completely through the left wall 46 or the right wall and
opens into the interior of the trunk portion 42, as described and
shown below.
[0051] In one or more implementations, the upper body part 40 is
designed and/or manufactured to have dimensions that correspond to
certain dimensions of a standard building element, stud, and/or
accessory included in a toy construction kit. For instance, a
standard building element (for example, a 1.times.1 brick or plate)
can have a length of 7.80 mm, a width of 7.80 mm, and a height of
3.20 mm (not including the stud). A standard stud (on the surface
of a building element) can have a diameter of 4.88 mm and a height
of 1.80 mm. Standard accessories held by toy figures can have a
diameter of 3.18 mm. As an example, the size of the neck portion 41
can allow for the attachment of a standard building element, such
as a 1.times.1 element or plate, or any building element that
accepts a stud connection. Moreover, the opening 43 can be sized to
accept any standard accessory such as a 3.18 mm rod and such
accessory can extend through the upper body part 40.
[0052] Referring to FIG. 3B, as an example, the neck portion 41 can
have an outer diameter of 4.88 mm corresponding to the diameter of
standard stud. It can be appreciated that the opening and cavity
formed in the head part 20 of the toy FIG. 10 (shown in FIG. 2, for
example) can be sized to receive the neck portion 41 as well as a
standard stud. The opening 43 and the through hole in the neck
portion 41 can be sized to accept a standard 3.18 mm rod as well as
other construction toy kit accessories having a standard 3.18 mm
diameter.
[0053] Referring to FIG. 3C, as another example, the neck portion
41 can have a height of 5.00 mm as measured from the trunk portion
42. As such, the top of the neck portion 41 will line up with the
top of a stud on an adjacent stack of five plates when the upper
body part 40 is attached to the lower body part 60. The trunk
portion 42 can have a height dimension of 6.40 mm corresponding to
the height of two standard building element plates and a width
dimension of 7.80 mm corresponding to the width of a standard
building element brick. Typically, the length dimension of the
trunk portion 42 can be sized to match the shape of the top of the
lower body part 80.
[0054] FIG. 3D illustrates a sectional view of the upper body part
40 based on the cutting plane shown in FIG. 3C. In particular, FIG.
3D illustrates an interior view of the neck portion 41 and the
right wall of the trunk portion 42. As shown, the right wall of the
trunk portion 42 includes a flat inside surface 48 around the bore
47. In this implementation, the left wall 46 and the right wall are
similarly structured. Accordingly, the left wall 46 also includes a
corresponding flat inside surface 48 around the bore 47.
[0055] The trunk portion 42 includes interior sidewalls 49 that
project into the interior of the trunk portion 42 and are visible
through the bore 47. As shown, the interior sidewalls 49 extend
longitudinally (that is, along a longitudinal axis 400) along the
inner surfaces of the front wall 45 and the rear wall. In this
implementation, two interior sidewalls 49 project from the inner
surface of the front wall 45 and two interior sidewalls 49 project
from the inner surface of the rear wall.
[0056] FIG. 3E illustrates a section of the upper body part 40
showing an interior view of the neck portion 41 and the trunk
portion 42. As shown, an outer surface (the surface facing the
outside of the trunk portion 42) of one of the interior sidewalls
49 is visible through the bore 47. The outer surfaces of the
interior sidewalls 49 are spaced apart from the flat inside
surfaces 48 of the left wall 46 and the right wall. Accordingly,
each of the arm parts 80 contacts outer surfaces of interior
sidewalls 49 when received into a corresponding bore 47.
[0057] The inner surface of the rear wall of the trunk portion 42
includes an upper longitudinal flat 50, which extends
longitudinally along the inner surface of the rear wall of the
trunk portion 42. In one or more implementations, the upper
longitudinal flat 50 also extends longitudinally along the inner
surface of the neck portion 41. Within the trunk portion 42, the
inner surfaces of the interior sidewalls 49 that project from the
rear wall of the trunk portion 42 abut the upper longitudinal flat
50 to define a track or channel that communicates with the through
hole provided by the inner surface of the neck portion 41. In this
example, the front wall 45 and the rear wall are similarly
structured. Accordingly, the front wall 45 also includes a
corresponding upper longitudinal flat 50 that extends
longitudinally along the inner surface of the front wall 45 of the
trunk portion 42 and the inner surface of the neck portion 41.
Within the trunk portion 42, the inner surfaces of the interior
sidewalls 49 that project from the front wall 45 of the trunk
portion 42 abut the corresponding upper longitudinal flat 50 to
define another track or channel that communicates with the through
hole provided by the inner surface of the neck portion 41. Each
channel can be formed such that the inner surface of the neck
portion 41 is flush with the inner surfaces of the interior
sidewalls 49 that project from the front wall 45 and the rear wall
of the trunk portion 42 and the inner surface of each upper
longitudinal flat 50.
[0058] The inner surface of the rear wall of the trunk portion 42
also includes a lower longitudinal flat 51. As shown, the lower
longitudinal flat 51 is provided in the inner surface of the rear
wall of the trunk portion 42 vertically below the upper
longitudinal flat 50. The lower longitudinal flat 51 also is formed
deeper into the inner surface of the rear wall of the trunk portion
42 than the upper longitudinal flat 50. In this example, the front
wall 45 and the rear wall are similarly structured. Accordingly, a
corresponding lower longitudinal flat 51 is provided in the inner
surface of the front wall 45 of the trunk portion 42.
[0059] In one or more implementations, each lower longitudinal flat
51 provided in the inner surfaces of the front wall 45 and the rear
wall is structured and arranged for attaching the upper body part
40 to the lower body part 80 or to a standard coupling stud (having
a diameter of 4.88 mm). For instance, the trunk portion 42 can
attach to a building element (for example, a brick or a plate) via
only a single stud on the building element. Each lower longitudinal
flat 51 can cooperate with each flat inside surface 48 provided in
the left wall 46 and the right wall to engage the periphery of a
standard stud. The bottom surfaces of each of the interior
sidewalls 49 and the bottom surface of each upper longitudinal flat
50 can be spaced apart from the bottom surface of the trunk portion
42 for receiving a standard stud and can provide stops that abut
the top surface of a standard stud received by the trunk portion
42. Additionally, the trunk portion 42 can also receive an
accessory through the opening in the bottom, such accessory being
able to extend all the way up through the opening 43 and engage
with the upper longitudinal flat 50.
[0060] Referring to FIG. 3F, a bottom view of the upper body part
40 shows the position of each flat inside surface 48 and each lower
longitudinal flat 51 in one or more implementations. As shown, each
flat inside surface 48 and each lower longitudinal flat 51 is
positioned at a standard 90 degrees to one another. In some
implementations, different longitudinal flats at different
positions can be used. For example, four longitudinal flats formed
in the inner surfaces of the front wall 45 and the rear wall and
positioned at an acute angle (for example, 63.degree.9'44'')
relative to one another can be used. Moreover, the longitudinal
flats can be positioned and dimensioned to provide the necessary
interference for allowing the trunk portion 42 to attach to a
standard stud or to the lower body part 80.
[0061] FIGS. 4A-4E illustrate attachment of the upper body part 40
and the arm parts 60 according to one or more implementations.
Referring to FIG. 4A, each of the arm parts 60 includes a hand
portion 61, a forearm portion 62, an elbow portion 63, an upper arm
portion 64, and a shoulder portion 65. Each of the arm parts 60 can
be designed and/or manufactured as a unitary workpiece. In this
way, when each of the arm parts 60 is implemented as a unitary
workpiece, the hand portion 61, the forearm portion 62, the elbow
portion 63, the upper arm portion 64, and the shoulder portion 65
do not permit movement relative to each other. As shown, the hand
portion 61, the forearm portion 62, the elbow portion 63, the upper
arm portion 64, and the shoulder portion 65 can have various
rounded corners and edges.
[0062] In one or more implementations, the hand portion 61 is
structured as a C-shaped grip provided at the distal end of each of
the arm parts 60. The elbow portion 63 is structured as a curved
section between the forearm portion 62 and the upper arm portion
54. The shoulder portion 65 is provided at the proximal end of each
of the arm parts 60 and is structured as a snap joint, flange, or
collar having a diameter greater than the diameter of the upper arm
portion 64. To facilitate attachment to the upper body part 40,
each of the arm parts 60 includes an axial relief slot 66 that
splits the entire shoulder portion 65 and a section of the upper
arm portion 64. The relief slot 66 bifurcates the proximal end of
each of the arms parts 60 such that each shoulder portion 65
includes two bottom faces 67 (for example, C-shaped or D-shaped
surfaces) perpendicular to the periphery of the shoulder portion 65
and two top faces 68 (for example, C-shaped ledges) perpendicular
to the periphery of the shoulder portion 65.
[0063] As shown, the two bottom faces 67 and the two top faces 68
of each shoulder portion 65 define or act as bearing surfaces for
contacting corresponding bearing surfaces defined or acting within
the trunk portion 42 of the upper body part 40. Each flat inside
surface 48 provided around each bore 47 in the left wall 46 and in
the right wall defines or acts as a bearing surface within the
trunk portion 42. In addition, outside surfaces of the interior
sidewalls 49 projecting from the front wall and rear wall within
the trunk portion 42 define or act as bearing surfaces. In this
way, twisting of the arm parts 60 is prevented or greatly hindered
when the upper body part 40 and the arm parts 60 are assembled and
the bearing surfaces defined by the shoulder portion 65 are in
contact with the bearing surfaces defined within the trunk portion
42. Twisting is defined as any rotation of the arm part 60 about an
axis that is defined within the plane of the opening of the bore
47, such plane being perpendicular to an arm axis 405. As shown in
FIG. 4A, the plane of the opening of the bore 47 is defined by axes
410, 415. Twisting is prevented or hindered because twisting in
this manner exerts a force that could detach or pop the arm part 60
from the trunk portion 42.
[0064] In general, the arm parts 60 are attachable to and rotatable
within the upper body part 40 by a snap fit engagement with a
seating (defined by the engagement between the bearing surfaces)
about the arm axis 405 to provide articulation to the toy FIG. 10.
Each of the arm parts 60 can be identical and can represent either
the left arm or the right arm of the toy FIG. 10 depending on the
attachment and orientation of the arms parts 60 and/or other mating
parts. In some cases, the upper body part 40 and the arm parts 60
are assembled when packaged.
[0065] Referring to FIGS. 4B and 4E, the upper body part 40
attaches to each of the arm parts 60 by receiving the entire
shoulder portion 65 and at least the section of the upper arm
portion 64 that includes the relief slot 66 through a bore 47 and
into the interior of the trunk portion 42. Each relief slot 66 is
not visible from the outside of the assembly when the upper body
part 40 and the arm parts 60 are assembled regardless of the
orientation of each relief slot 66. The arm parts 60 are inserted
into the upper body part 40 by a snap fit connection; in which the
two sides of the shoulder portion 65 (including the two bottom
faces 67 and two top faces 68 move toward each other and the relief
slot 66 compresses as the arm parts 60 are first inserted into the
bore 47 and then once the shoulder portion 65 clears the bore 47,
the relief slot 66 snaps open.
[0066] As shown, when the relief slot 66 is oriented in a
horizontal position, bearing surfaces defined by two (upper and
lower) bottom faces 67 of the shoulder portion 65 (for example, the
left arm) contact a bearing surface defined by the outside surface
of one of the interior sidewalls 49 projecting from the rear wall
of the trunk portion 42. Moreover, the bearing surfaces defined by
the same two (upper and lower) bottom faces 67 of the shoulder
portion 65 (for example, the left arm) also contact a bearing
surface defined by the outside surface of one of the interior
sidewalls 49 projecting from the front wall of the trunk portion
42. In addition, bearing surfaces defined by two (upper and lower)
top faces 68 of the shoulder portion 65 (for example, the left arm)
contact a bearing surface defined by the flat inside surface 48
around the bore 47 of the left wall 46.
[0067] When the relief slot 66 is in a vertical position, bearing
surfaces defined by two (left and right) bottom faces 67 of the
shoulder portion (for example, the right arm) contact bearing
surfaces defined by the outside surfaces of two sidewalls 49--one
projecting from the rear wall of the trunk portion 42 and one
projecting from the front wall of the trunk portion 42. In
addition, bearing surfaces defined by two (left and right) top
faces 68 of the shoulder portion 65 (for example, the right arm)
contact a bearing surface defined by the inside surface 48 around
the bore 47 of the right wall.
[0068] In one or more implementations, each of the arm parts 60 is
designed and/or manufactured to have dimensions that correspond to
certain dimensions of a standard building element, stud, and/or
accessory included in a construction toy kit. Referring to FIG. 4C,
as an example, the center-to-center distance between each hand
portion 61 may be 16.00 mm corresponding to the center-to-center
distance between three studs. Referring to FIG. 4D, as another
example, the hand portion 61 can be structured to securely hold
standard 3.18 mm rods and/or accessories. Each of the forearm
portion 62, the elbow portion 63, and the upper arm portion 64 of
one of the arm parts 60 can have a standard 3.18 mm diameter for
allowing such portions to be held by a hand portion 61 of a
different one of the arm parts as well as by other types of holding
pieces included in construction toy kits.
[0069] As mentioned, each of the arm parts 60 can rotate about the
arm axis 405 within the upper body part 40 to provide articulation.
When the upper body part 40 and the arm parts 60 are assembled,
each of the arm parts 60 can be rotated about the arm axis 405 and
posed at any angular position. In general, the connection between
the arm parts 60 and the upper body part 40 must be tight enough so
that each of the arms parts 60 can maintain any angular position
when an accessory is held by the hand portion 61. The connection
also must be loose enough so that each of the arm parts 60 can be
repositioned without overcoming the interference force holding the
toy FIG. 10 to a building element (for example, a brick or a plate)
and detaching the toy FIG. 10 from a stud to which the toy FIG. 10
is attached, as discussed in greater detail below. In addition, the
connection between the arm parts 60 and the upper body part 40 must
be stable enough so that each arm part 60 does not twist or wobble
as discussed above when a moment or cantilever force is applied to
the hand portion 61 in the directions indicated by arrows 420, 425
in FIG. 4D.
[0070] FIGS. 5A-5E illustrate a lower body part 80 according to one
or more implementations. Referring to FIG. 5A, the lower body part
80 includes a rod portion 81, a stud portion 82, a legs portion 83,
and a feet portion 84, and it can be designed and/or manufactured
as a unitary workpiece. In one or more implementations, the legs
portion 83 represents both legs of the toy FIG. 10, and the feet
portion 84 represents both feet of the toy FIG. 10. Thus, when the
lower body part 80 is implemented as a unitary workpiece, the rod
portion 81, the stud portion 82, the legs portion 83, and the feet
portion 84 do not permit movement relative to each other. As shown,
the rod portion 81, the stud portion 82, the legs portion 83, and
the feet portion 84 can optionally have various rounded corners and
edges.
[0071] In one or more implementations, the rod portion 81 and the
stud portion 82 are formed as solid structures to be received by
the trunk portion 42 of the lower body part 40 (shown in FIG. 3A,
for example). The stud portion 82 protrudes from a top surface 85
of the legs portion 83, and the rod portion 81 protrudes from the
stud portion 82. As shown, the legs portion 83 can have curved or
angled front and rear surfaces and substantially flat side surfaces
that are coplanar with substantially flat side surfaces of the feet
portion 84.
[0072] In one or more implementations, the lower body part 80 is
designed and/or manufactured to have dimensions that correspond to
certain dimensions of a standard building element, stud, and/or
accessory included in a construction toy kit. Referring to FIG. 5B,
as an example, the rod portion 81 can have an outer diameter of
3.18 mm corresponding to the diameter of standard rod or accessory,
and the stud portion 82 can have an outer diameter of 4.88 mm
corresponding to the diameter of standard stud. As mentioned above,
the opening and cavity formed in the head part 20 of the toy FIG.
10 (shown in FIG. 2, for example) can be sized to receive a
standard stud. As such, the stud portion 82 can be used to attach
the head part 20 of the toy FIG. 10 or the standard head of a
different type of toy figure to the legs portion 83.
[0073] Referring to FIG. 5C, as another example, the combination of
the legs portion 83 and the feet portion 84 can have a height
dimension of 6.40 mm corresponding to the height of two standard
building element plates. The stud portion 82 can have a height
dimension of 1.80 mm corresponding to the height of standard stud.
The combination of the rod portion 81 and the stud portion 82 can
have a height of 5.00 mm as measured from the top of the legs
portion 83. As such, the top of the rod portion 81 lines up with
the top of a stud on an adjacent stack of three plates. The base
portion can have a length dimension of 7.80 mm and a width
dimension of 7.80 mm to provide a footprint equivalent to a
standard building element (for example, a 1.times.1 brick or
plate).
[0074] FIG. 5D illustrates a sectional view of the lower body part
80 based on the cutting plane shown in FIG. 5C. In particular, FIG.
5D illustrates an interior view of the legs portion 83 and the feet
portion 84. In one or more implementations, the interior geometry
of the lower body part 80 allows for connection with a standard
stud on a building elements as wells as a standard 3.18 mm rod or
another lower body part 80. As shown, the interior of the lower
body part 80 includes an upper cavity 86 and a lower cavity 87. The
upper cavity 86 longitudinally extends (that is, along the
longitudinal axis 400) within the legs portion 83 and the feet
portion 84, and is sized to receive a standard 3.18 mm rod or the
rod portion 81 of another lower body part 80. The lower cavity
longitudinally extends within the feet portion 87 and is sized to
receive a standard stud or the stud portion 82 of another lower
body part 80.
[0075] FIG. 5E illustrates a bottom view of the lower body part 80.
As shown, a bottom surface 88 of the feet portion 84 defines a
single opening 89 into the interior of the lower body part 80. The
opening 89 communicates with the lower cavity 87 and allows the
feet portion 84 to attach to a standard building element (for
example, a brick or a plate) via only a single stud on the building
element. As shown, longitudinal flats can be formed in the interior
surfaces of the legs portion 83 and the feet portion 84, which
define, respectively, the lower cavity 86 and the upper cavity 87.
Moreover, the longitudinal flats can be positioned and dimensioned
based on the standard dimensions of structures to be received in
the lower cavity 86 and the upper cavity 87.
[0076] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary attachment of the upper body
part 40 and the lower body part 80. As shown, the interior of the
upper body part 40 is structured to accommodate the rod portion 81
and the stud portion 82 combination of the lower body part 80. In
general, when the upper body part 40 and the lower body part 80 are
assembled, the upper body part 40 can rotate relative to the lower
body part 80 about the longitudinal axis 400 to provide
articulation (for example, a waist rotation). The connection
between the upper body part 40 and the lower body part 80 must be
stable enough so that there should be no noticeable wobble that
allows the parts to begin to separate when a back and forth force
is applied across the upper body part 40 at the top of the neck
portion 41 in the directions 430, 435 indicated.
[0077] In one or more implementations, the upper body part 40
attaches to the lower body part 80 by receiving the rod portion 81
and the stud portion into the interior of the trunk portion 42.
Within the trunk portion 42, each upper longitudinal flat 50
provided in the inner surfaces of the front wall and the rear wall
is structured and arranged for engaging the rod portion 81 of the
lower body part 80. The upper longitudinal flat 50 in the inner
surface of the front wall can cooperate with the inner surfaces of
the interior sidewalls 49, which project from the front wall to
define a track that engages the rod portion 81. The upper
longitudinal flat 50 in the inner surface of the rear wall can
cooperate with the inner surfaces of the interior sidewalls 49,
which project from the rear wall to define a track that engages the
rod portion 81. The bottom surfaces of each of the interior
sidewalls 49 and the bottom surface of each upper longitudinal flat
50 can be spaced apart from the bottom surface of the trunk portion
42 for receiving the stud portion 82 of the lower body part 80. As
such, the bottom surfaces of each of the interior sidewalls 49 and
the bottom surface of each upper longitudinal flat 50 can provide
stops that abut the top surface of the stud portion 82 when
received into the interior of the trunk portion 42.
[0078] Each lower longitudinal flat 51 provided in the inner
surfaces of the front wall 45 and the rear wall is structured and
arranged for engaging the stud portion 82 of the lower body part
80. Each lower longitudinal flat 51 can cooperate with each flat
inside surface 48 provided in the left wall 46 and the right wall
to engage the periphery of the stud portion 82 of the lower body
part. When assembled, the bottom surface of the upper body part 40
abuts the top surface 84 of the feet portion 83 of the lower body
part 80.
[0079] When the upper body part 40 is attached to lower body part
80 and the arm parts 60, each flat inside surface 48 in the left
wall 46 and in the right wall of the trunk portion 42 provides a
bearing surface that contacts the top faces 68 of the shoulder
portion 65 (shown in FIG. 4A, for example) as well as an engagement
surface which contacts the stud portion 82 of the lower body part
80.
[0080] FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary attachment of the toy FIG.
10 to a building element 90. As shown in this example, the building
element 90 is structured as a 6.times.6 plate having an array of
standard studs, but the building element 90 can have any geometry
that includes one or more studs. The toy FIG. 10 is assembled using
mating parts including the head part 20, the upper body part 40,
the arm parts 60, and the lower body part 80. The lower body part
80 of the toy figure can attach to the building element 90 via only
a single stud on the building element 90.
[0081] When the toy FIG. 10 is assembled and attached to the
building element 90, there is a hierarchy of interference forces in
effect. The strongest connection, which has the greatest
interference force, is between the head part 20 and the upper body
part 40. The next strongest connection is between the upper body
part 40 and the lower body part 80. The weakest connection, which
has the weakest interference force, is between the lower body part
80 and the stud on the building element 90. The interference force
between the lower body part 80 and the stud on the building element
90 typically should be in line with the interference force between
building elements (for example, the interference force between a
standard 1.times.1 plate and another plate). This hierarchy of
interference forces allows the assembled toy FIG. 10 to be removed
from the building element 90 as a single unit when the toy FIG. 10
is pulled only by the head part 20. In other words, the entire
assembled toy FIG. 10 can be removed from the building element 90
by pulling up on the head part 20 without having to grab or contact
the upper body part 40, the lower body part 80, or the arm parts
60.
[0082] The connection between the upper body part 40 and the arm
parts 60 must be tight enough so that each of the arms parts 60 can
maintain any angular position yet loose enough so that each of the
arm parts 60 can be repositioned without overcoming the
interference force between the lower body part 80 and the stud on
the building element 90. The connection between the upper body part
40 and the lower body part 80 must be stable enough so that there
should be no noticeable wobble that begins to separate upper body
part 40 and the lower body part 80 when a back and forth (shoulder
to shoulder) force is applied across the top of the head part
20.
[0083] While certain features of the implementations have been
illustrated and described, many modifications, substitutions,
changes and equivalents are possible. It is therefore to be
understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such
modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the
implementations.
* * * * *