U.S. patent application number 16/250568 was filed with the patent office on 2019-05-23 for joinable figure toy.
The applicant listed for this patent is TOYTEC CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Takashi ICHIKAWA.
Application Number | 20190151765 16/250568 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 66534363 |
Filed Date | 2019-05-23 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190151765 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ICHIKAWA; Takashi |
May 23, 2019 |
JOINABLE FIGURE TOY
Abstract
To provide a joinable figure toy having a high degree of freedom
in building, a joinable figure toy includes a trunk part, left and
right arm parts and left and right leg parts. A spherical portion
is formed at a hand portion of each of the arm parts, and a
receptacle portion configured to be joined with the spherical
portion trough ball-and-socket joint is formed on a foot portion of
each of the leg parts. The arm parts and the leg parts are provided
rotatably on the trunk part. In addition, the joinable figure toy
can be formed into a shape mimicking a character.
Inventors: |
ICHIKAWA; Takashi;
(Tochigi-city, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
TOYTEC CORPORATION |
Tochigi-city |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
66534363 |
Appl. No.: |
16/250568 |
Filed: |
January 17, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
15891011 |
Feb 7, 2018 |
|
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16250568 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 3/46 20130101; A63H
3/48 20130101; A63H 3/52 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63H 3/46 20060101
A63H003/46; A63H 3/48 20060101 A63H003/48; A63H 3/52 20060101
A63H003/52 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 14, 2017 |
JP |
2017-024631 |
Claims
1. A joinable figure toy comprising a trunk part, left and right
arm parts and left and right leg parts, wherein a spherical portion
is formed at a hand portion of each of the arm parts, wherein a
receptacle portion is formed on a foot portion of each of the leg
parts, the receptacle portion being able to be joined with the
spherical portion through ball-and-socket joint, wherein a first
notched portion is formed at a distal end side of each of the
spherical portions, wherein a pair of second notched portions are
disposed in an opening edge of each of the receptacle portions, the
pair of second notched portions being opposite to each other,
wherein the left and right arm parts are coupled together by a
first transverse shaft inserted rotatably through the trunk part,
and wherein the left and right leg parts are coupled together by a
second transverse shaft inserted rotatably through the trunk part
below the first transverse shaft, the first transverse shaft and
the second transverse shaft being disposed parallel to each
other.
2. The joinable figure toy according to claim 1, wherein the first
notched portion and the second notched portions are formed in a
front-rear direction, allowing opening positions at a front end and
a rear end of the first notched portion to overlap opening
positions of the second notched portions, the opening positions
being opposite to each other, when seen in a bottom view.
3. The joinable figure toy according to claim 2, wherein the second
notched portion has a bottom portion disposed at the same height as
a center portion of the receptacle portion, wherein a rotational
radius of the spherical portion at its center position is identical
to a rotational radius of the receptacle portion at its center
position, wherein a first non-interferential portion is formed
outwards of each of the left and right leg parts, and wherein a
second non-interferential portion is formed between the left and
right leg parts.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part application
claiming priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 15/891,011 filed
Feb. 7, 2018 which claims the benefit of priority under 35 USC 119
of Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-024631 filed on Feb. 14,
2017, the contents of both of which, including the specification,
claims, drawings and abstract, are incorporated entirely herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a joinable figure toy which
is played with by being joined with a figure toy or toys of the
same type.
Description of the Related Art
[0003] There have conventionally been proposed joinable figure toys
which can be played with by being joined with a figure toy or toys
of the same type. For example, in the related art figure toys, an
infant figure toy is known which is made up of joinable body parts
such as a head part, left and right arm and leg parts. In these
body parts, a spherical end is provided on one of the arm parts,
and a C-shaped receptacle portion is formed on the other arm part.
Additionally, a C-shaped receptacle portion is formed on one of the
leg parts, and a spherical end is provided on the other leg part.
The spherical ends can be brought into engagement with the
receptacle of either of the arm part and the leg part. Thus, the
figure toy is completed by joining the body parts together.
[0004] Normally, the figure has a front (a front surface) and a
back (a back surface), and the figure also has different facial or
bodily expressions to be provided depending upon how the figure is
oriented. In the related art figure toy described above, the body
parts can be joined together only in a specified orientation, this
imposing a limitation on a joining method. This, in turn, limits
the play mode of the figure toy which is completed by joining the
body parts together.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] An object of the invention is to provide a joinable figure
toy having a high degree of freedom in building it up.
[0006] According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a
joinable figure toy including a trunk part, left and right arm
parts and left and right leg parts, wherein a spherical portion is
formed at a hand portion of each of the arm parts, wherein a
receptacle portion is formed on a foot portion of each of the leg
parts, the receptacle portion being able to be joined with the
spherical portion through ball-and-socket joint, wherein a first
notched portion is formed at a distal end side of each of the
spherical portions, wherein a pair of second notched portions are
disposed in an opening edge of each of the receptacle portions, the
pair of second notched portions being opposite to each other,
wherein the left and right arm parts are coupled together by a
first transverse shaft inserted rotatably through the trunk part,
and wherein the left and right leg parts are coupled together by a
second transverse shaft inserted rotatably through the trunk part
below the first transverse shaft, the first transverse shaft and
the second transverse shaft being disposed parallel to each
other.
[0007] According to the invention, since the body parts can be
joined together with all the body parts arranged to show their
front surfaces or back surfaces to a player or with some of the
body parts arranged to show their front surfaces and the other body
parts arranged to show their back surfaces to the player, it is
possible to provide the joinable figure toy having a high degree of
freedom in building it up.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1A is a front view of a joinable figure toy according
an embodiment of the invention;
[0009] FIG. 1B is a side view of the joinable figure toy according
to the embodiment of the invention;
[0010] FIG. 1C is a rear view of the joinable figure toy according
to the embodiment of the invention;
[0011] FIG. 2A is a bottom view of the joinable figure toy
according to the embodiment of the invention;
[0012] FIG. 2B is a sectional view taken along a line IIb-IIb in
FIG. 2A showing the joinable figure toy according to the embodiment
of the invention;
[0013] FIG. 3A is a drawing showing a joining example of two
joinable figure toys according to the embodiment of the
invention;
[0014] FIG. 3B is a drawing showing a joining example of three
joinable figure toys according to the embodiment of the
invention;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a drawing showing a building example using
joinable figure toys according to the embodiment of the invention
and decorative members;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a drawing showing another building example using
joinable figure toys according to the embodiment of the invention
and decorative members;
[0017] FIG. 6A is a front view showing a joinable figure toy
according to another embodiment of the invention;
[0018] FIG. 6B is a side view showing the joinable figure toy
according to the other embodiment of the invention;
[0019] FIG. 6C is a rear view showing the joinable figure toy
according to the other embodiment of the invention;
[0020] FIG. 7A is a bottom view showing the joinable figure toy
according to the other embodiment of the invention; and
[0021] FIG. 7B is a sectional view taken along a line VIIb-VIIb in
FIG. 7A showing the joinable figure toy according to the other
embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0022] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the invention will be
described based on the drawings. FIG. 1A is a front view of a
joinable figure toy 1, FIG. 1B is a side view of the joinable
figure toy 1, and FIG. 1C is a rear view of the joinable figure toy
1. The joinable figure toy 1 mimics a human figure and has a trunk
part 2, a head part 3, arm parts 4 (a left arm part 4a, a right arm
part 4b) and leg parts 5 (a left leg part 5a, a right leg part 5b).
In the following description of the joinable figure toy 1, the left
arm part 4a represents a left side of the joinable figure toy 1.
Similarly, the right arm part 4b represents a right side, the head
part 3 represents an upper side, and the leg parts 5 represent a
lower side of the joinable figure toy 1.
[0023] A spherical portion 41 is formed at a distal hand portion of
each of the left arm part 4a and the right arm part 4b. The left
arm part 4a and the right arm part 4b are joined together by a
first transverse shaft 43 at proximal portions 42 which correspond
to shoulders of the figure toy 1. The first transverse shaft 43 is
inserted rotatably in a through hole 21 which is provided in the
trunk part 2 so as to open to the left and right of the trunk part
2.
[0024] A receptacle portion 52 is formed on a sole portion 51 of a
foot portion of each of the left leg part 5a and the right leg part
5b. The receptacle portions 52 are joined with the spherical
portions 41 through ball-and-socket joint. The left leg part 5a and
the right leg part 5b are joined together by a second transverse
shaft 54 at proximal portions 53 thereof which lie to face the
trunk part 2. The second transverse shaft 54 is inserted rotatably
in a through hole 22 which is provided in the trunk part 2 so as to
open to the left and right of the trunk part 2 below the through
holes 21.
[0025] Here, a peripheral configuration of the receptacle portion
52 will be described. FIG. 2A is a bottom view of the joinable
figure toy 1, and FIG. 2B is a sectional view of the joinable
figure toy shown in FIG. 2A taken along a line IIb-IIb shown in
FIG. 2A. The sole portion 51 is formed as a substantially flat
surface which is recessed shallowly in relation to a
circumferential edge 51a. The receptacle portion 52 is defined by a
spherical inner surface 52a which defines a space corresponding to
part of a spherical shape. An inside diameter of an opening edge
52b of the receptacle portion 52 is formed narrower than an inside
diameter of the spherical inner surface 52a. By adopting this
configuration, once a spherical portion 41 of another joinable
figure toy 1 is brought into engagement with an interior of the
spherical portion 52, the spherical portion 41 is prevented from
being dislocated easily from the receptacle portion 52 by the
opening edge 52b.
[0026] A pair of substantially rectangular notched portions 521a,
521b are formed in the opening edge 52b. The pair of notched
portions 521a, 521b are disposed so as to lie in opposite positions
in relation to the opening edge 52b. The notched portion 521a on a
front side of the joinable figure toy 1 is provided further
transversely outwards than the notched portion 521b on a rear side
of the joinable figure toy 1. The notched portions 521a, 521b are
formed into grooves which are shallower than the receptacle portion
52. Bottom portions 521c of the notched portions 521a, 521b are
disposed above a center position P5 of the receptacle portion 52.
The opening edge 52b can be deformed so as expand diametrically
when a predetermined magnitude of force is applied thereto in a
radially outward direction by providing the pair of notched
portions 521a, 521b. This allows even an infant to locate and
dislocate the spherical portion 41 into and from the receptacle
portion 52.
[0027] Returning to FIGS. 1A to 1C, the first transverse shaft 43
and the second transverse shaft 54 are disposed substantially
parallel. Here, when a center position of the spherical portion 41
is referred to as P4, and a center position of the spherical inner
surface 52a of the receptacle 52 is referred to as P5, the center
position P4 and the center position P5 substantially coincide with
each other in relation to the transverse direction. In addition, a
rotational radius of the center position P4 about the first
transverse shaft 43 is substantially the same as a rotational
radius of the center position P5 about the second transverse shaft
54.
[0028] The joinable figure toy 1 has non-interferential portions 11
defined outwards of the left leg part 5a and the right leg part 5b.
The non-interferential portions 11 are formed by narrowing
transverse widths of the leg parts 5 near the proximal portions 53
thereof. Thus, the left arm part 4a including the spherical portion
41 and the right arm part 4b including the spherical portion 41 can
be rotated without interfering with the left leg part 5a and the
right leg part 5b, respectively. On the other hand, the left leg
part 5a and the right leg part 5b are allowed to rotate forwards 90
degrees but are restricted from rotating backwards as a result of a
locking projection on the second transverse shaft 54 being locked
on a locked projection provided inside the trunk part 2 (not
show).
[0029] As shown in FIGS. 1B and 1C, a substantially hexagonal hole
portion 231 is formed on a back portion 23 of the joinable figure
toy 1. The hole portion 231 is provided in a substantially vertical
middle position between the first transverse shaft 43 and the
second transverse shaft 54. Additionally, the hole portion 231 is
disposed in a substantially transverse center position of the trunk
part 2.
[0030] Next, using or playing examples of the joinable figure toy 1
will be described. FIG. 3A is a drawing showing a joining example
of two joinable figure toys 1a, 1b.
[0031] In the two joinable figure toys 1a, 1b, leg parts 5 are
rotated forwards, and arm parts 4 are rotated upwards. Then,
receptacle portions 52 of the joinable figure toy 1b are joined
with spherical portions 41 of the joinable figure toy 1a, whereby a
frame-like joined structure 101 which opens leftwards in the
drawing can be formed by the two joinable figure toys 1a, 1b. The
spherical portions 41 of the joinable figure toy 1a which are in
engagement with the receptacle portions 52 of the joinable figure
toy 1b are kept so engaged due to the spherical portions 41 being
prevented from being dislocated easily from the receptacle portions
52 by the opening edges 52b. In addition, the spherical portions 41
are allowed to move rotationally within the receptacle portions 52
so that the angles of the arm parts 4 can be controlled freely in
relation to the corresponding sole portions 51. A maximum
rotational angle of the arm part 4 is controlled as a result of a
boundary portion 44 between the spherical portion 41 and the arm
part 4 being brought into abutment with the opening edge 52b.
[0032] The joined structure 101 can also be formed into an L-shape
as a whole by extending the leg parts 5 of the joinable figure toy
1a or the leg parts 5 of the joinable figure toy 1b (refer to FIG.
1B). The joined structure 101 can be formed into a straight line as
a whole by extending the legs parts 5 of both the joinable figure
toy 1a and the joinable figure toy 1b. In this way, the joined
structure 101 can be formed into a plurality of configurations by
using the two joinable figure toys 1a, 1b. Moreover, the joinable
figure toys 1a, 1b can be joined together with all their body parts
arranged to show their front surfaces or back surfaces to a player
or with some of the body parts arranged to show their front
surfaces and the other body parts arranged to show their back
surfaces to the player.
[0033] FIG. 3B is a drawing showing a joining example of three
joinable figure toys 1c, 1d, 1e. The joinable figure toys 1c, 1d,
1e extend leg parts 5 and rotate arm parts 4 upwards. The left arm
part 4a of the joinable figure toy 1c which is disposed in a lower
position in FIG. 3B is joined with the right leg part 5b of the
joinable figure toy 1e which is disposed in an upper position. The
right arm part 4b of the joinable figure toy 1d which is disposed
in another lower position in FIG. 3 is joined with the left arm
part 5a of the upper joinable figure toy 1e. In this way, a
substantially triangular plate-shaped joined structure 102 can be
formed by using the three joinable figure toys 1c, 1d, 1e.
[0034] FIG. 4 is a drawing showing a building example using
joinable figure toys 1 and decorative members 6. FIG. 4 is a left
side view of a joined structure 81 which mimics a vehicle which is
built up from a plurality of joinable figure toys (1f to 1l) and a
plurality of decorative members 6. The decorative members 6 include
a body frame 61, front wheels 62, rear wheels 63 and other body
parts 64 to 68. In the following description based on FIG. 4, a
left-hand side denotes a front of the joined structure 81 and an
opposite side to the left-hand side denotes a rear of the joined
structure 81.
[0035] The front wheels 62 and the rear wheels 63 have axle
portions and are attached rotatably to the body frame 61. A
plurality of spherical portions 60, having a substantially
identical shape or outside diameter to that of the spherical
portion 41, are provided on the body frame 61. The joinable figure
toys 1f to 1i are fixed to the body frame 61 by causing their
receptacle portions 52 to be joined with the spherical portions 60
which are provided on the body frame 61. The body part 66 and the
body part 67 are attached to hole portions 231 of the joinable
figure toy 1g and the joinable figure toy 1h, respectively.
[0036] The joinable figure toy 1j is joined with the joinable
figure toy 1f in such a state that leg parts 5 of the joinable
figure toy 1j are bent slightly downwards (forwards in relation to
the joinable figure toy 1j). Spherical portions 41 of the joinable
figure toy 1j are joined with receptacle portions (not shown) in
the body frame 61.
[0037] The joinable figure toy 1k is joined with the joinable
figure toy 1l in such a state that arm parts 4 of the joinable
figure toy 1k are bent slightly downwards (forwards in relation to
the joinable figure toy 1k). Receptacle portions 52 of the joinable
figure toy 1k are joined with the spherical portions (not shown)
inside the body frame 61.
[0038] The joinable figure toy 1l is joined with the joinable
figure toy 1k via leg parts 5 thereof which are directed upwards.
Spherical portions 41 of the joinable figure toy 1l are joined with
receptacle portions (not shown) inside the body frame 61. In
addition, the body part 68 is attached to a hole portion 231 of the
joinable figure toy 1l.
[0039] In this way, the player can play with the joinable figure
toys of the invention by building up the joined structure 81
mimicking the vehicle using the plurality of joinable figure toys
1f to 1l and the decorative members 6 or by using the joined
structure 81 as the vehicle. In addition, there is imposed no
limitation on the directivity of the joinable figure toys 1, and
the arm parts 4 and the leg parts 5 can rotate. Thus, the player
can build up the joined structure 81 by handling the joinable
figure toys 1, as it were, as part of the vehicle body.
[0040] FIG. 5 is a drawing showing another building example using
joinable figure toys 1 and decorative members 7. FIG. 5 shows a
front view of a joined structure 82, which mimics a robot, built up
by using a plurality of joinable figure toys (1m to 1w, 1r1, 1t1,
1v1, 1w1) and a plurality of decorative members 7. The decorative
members 7 include a head part 71, a trunk part 72 (a chest part
721, a left shoulder part 722, a right shoulder part 723, a back
part 724), arm parts 73, (a left hand part 731, a right hand part
732), and leg parts 74 (a left leg part 741, a right leg part 742).
In the following description based on FIG. 5, a side of the joined
structure 82 facing the head part 71 represents an upper side, and
a side facing the leg parts 74 represents a lower side of the
joined structure 82. In addition, a side of the joined structure 82
facing the left hand part 731 represents a left-hand side, and a
side opposite to the side facing the left hand part 731 represents
a right-hand side of the joined structure 82.
[0041] The head part 71, the chest part 721, the left shoulder part
722, the right shoulder part 723 and the back part 724 are formed
integrally or separately. In the case where the head part 71, the
chest part 721, the left shoulder part 722, the right shoulder part
723 and the back part 724 are formed separately, they can be
constructed so as to rotate predetermined angles individually.
[0042] A left arm part 821 of the joined structure 82 includes the
left shoulder part 722, the joinable figure toys 1m, 1n, and the
left hand part 731. The joinable figure toy 1m is joined with the
left shoulder part 722 at a hole portion 231 thereof (not shown).
The joinable figure toy 1m is joined with the joinable figure toy
1n. The joinable figure toy 1n is joined with the left hand part
731 via spherical portion 41 thereof (not shown).
[0043] Similarly, a right arm part 822 of the joined structure 82
includes the right shoulder part 723, the joinable figure toys 1o,
1p, and the right hand part 732. The joinable figure toy 1o is
joined with the right shoulder part 723 at a hole portion 231 (not
shown). The joinable figure toy 1o is joined with the joinable
figure toy 1p. The joinable figure toy 1p is joined with the right
hand part 732 via a spherical portion 41 thereof (not shown).
[0044] The left arm part 821 which includes the two left joinable
figure toys 1m, 1n and the right arm part 822 which includes the
two right joinable figure toys 1o, 1p can individually be rotated
leftwards and rightwards. For example, the left arm part 821
rotates about a spherical portion 41 of the joinable figure toy 1m,
and the right arm part 822 rotates about a spherical portion 41 of
the joinable figure toy 1o.
[0045] A left arm part 4a of the joinable figure toy 1p is joined
with the joinable figure toy 1m. A right arm part 4b of the
joinable figure toy 1r is joined with the joinable figure toy 1o.
Additionally, a spherical portion 41 (not shown) of a right arm
part 4b of the joinable figure toy 1q and a spherical portion 41
(not shown) of a left arm part 4a of the joinable figure toy 1r are
joined with receptacle portions which are formed in the chest part
721.
[0046] The two joinable figure toys 1q1, 1r1 are also disposed on
sides of the joinable figure toys 1q, 1r which face the back part
724 in the same orientation as that of the joinable figure toys 1q,
1r. The joinable figure toy 1q1 is joined with the joinable figure
toy 1m and the chest part 721. The joinable figure toy 1r1 is
joined with the joinable figure toy 1o and the chest part 721.
[0047] Further, the joinable figure toys 1q, 1r, 1q1, 1r1 are
joined with the four joinable figure toys 1s, 1t, 1u, 1t1 (the
joinable figure toy 1t1 is disposed behind the joinable figure toy
1t) at lower portions thereof. The joinable figure toy 1s is joined
with the joinable figure toys 1q, 1q1. The joinable figure toy 1t
is joined with the joinable figure toys 1q, 1r. The joinable figure
toy 1u is joined with the joinable figure toys 1r, 1r1. The
joinable figure toy 1t1 is joined with the joinable figure toys
1q1, 1r1.
[0048] The four joinable figure toys 1s, 1t, 1u, 1t1 are joined
with the four joinable figure toys 1v, 1w, 1v1, 1w1 at lower
portions thereof. The joinable figure toys 1v, 1w are disposed on a
front side of the joined structure 82, and the joinable figure toys
1v1, 1w1 are disposed on rear sides of the joinable figure toys 1v,
1w. These joinable figure toys 1v, 1w, 1v1, 1w1 are disposed so as
to face the joined structure 82 on their front sides or back sides.
Thus, in the joined structure 82, knee parts 823 can be formed
which can rotate forwards and backwards in relation to the joinable
figure toys 1s, 1t, 1u, 1t1 via spherical portions 41 of the
joinable figure toys 1v, 1w, 1v1, 1w1. Consequently, the joined
structure 82 can represent extending and flexing motions of the
knee parts 823a.
[0049] The joinable figure toys 1v, 1v1 are joined with the left
leg part 741 at lower portions thereof. The joinable figure toys
1w, 1w1 are also joined with the right leg part 742 at lower
portions thereof. In this way, the joined structure 82 can be
played with by building up the plurality of joinable figure toys 1m
to 1w, 1q1, 1r1, 1t1, 1v1, 1w1 and the decorative members 7 or by
using the completed joined structure 82 as a robot.
[0050] The joined structures 81, 82 are described as being built up
as the vehicle and the robot in FIGS. 5 and 6, respectively. In
addition to this, the player can play with the joinable figure toys
1 of the invention by combining the plurality of joinable figure
toys 1 together or combining the plurality of joinable figure toys
1 with appropriate decorative members to fabricate a toy building,
a toy weapon, a toy clock and the like.
[0051] Thus, the embodiment of the invention has been described
heretofore. However, the invention is not limited thereto but can
be carried out in various forms. For example, the joinable figure
toy 1 may mimic the shape of a human being, an animal and a fish,
as well as the shape of an imaginary character.
[0052] In the description of the embodiment, the joinable figure
toy 1 is described as being constructed so that the left arm part
4a and the right arm part 4b are joined together by the first
transverse shaft 43 so as to rotate integrally. However, a
configuration may be adopted in which the left arm part 4a and the
right arm part 4b are connected to the transverse shaft 43 at
different angles so as to rotate at the different angles integrally
or independently. Further, a configuration may be adopted in which
of the left arm part 4a and the right arm part 4b, one arm part 4
is fixed to the trunk part 2, while the other arm part 4 is
connected to the transverse shaft, so that only the other arm part
4 can rotate.
[0053] As to the leg parts 5, similarly, the left let part 5a and
the right leg part 5b may be connected to different transverse
shafts so as to rotate independently of each other. Additionally,
the left leg part 5a and the right leg part 5b may be connected to
the second transverse shaft 54 at different angles so as to rotate
at the different angles integrally or independently. Further, a
configuration may be adopted in which of the left leg part 5a and
the right leg part 5b, one leg part 5 is fixed to the trunk part 2,
while the other leg part 5 is connected to the transverse shaft, so
that only the other leg part 5 can rotate.
[0054] The arm part 4 may be configured in such a way that an elbow
portion is provided in a middle position between the spherical
portion 41 and the proximal portion 42 so as to allow the arm part
4 to extend and flex about the elbow portion. Similarly, the leg
part 5 may be configured in such a way that a knee portion is
provide in a middle position between the receptacle portion 52 and
the proximal portion 53 so as to allow the leg part 5 to extend and
flex about the knee portion.
[0055] The bottom portion 521c of the notched portion 521 may be
disposed in a position which coincides substantially with the
center position P5 of the receptacle 52 or which lies lower than
the center position P5. By doing so, the joining strength can be
enhanced. Further, only one notched portion 521 may be provided on
the opening edge 52b, as long as the opening edge 52 is allowed to
hold the expanding function.
[0056] The shape of the hole portion 231 is not limited to the
substantially hexagonal shape. Thus, the hole portion 231 may be
formed into other angular shapes, circular shapes or other hole
shapes. Further, the joinable figure toy 1 may also include an
angular or circular hole portion which is provided at a different
portion on the back portion 23, on a front side of the trunk part
2, or at an appropriate portion of the head part 3, the arm part 4
or the leg part 5.
[0057] Next, referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, a joinable figure toy 1A
of another embodiment of the invention will be described. In the
following description of the joinable figure toy 1A, like reference
signs will be given to like configurations to those of the joinable
figure toy 1, so that the description thereof will be omitted or
made briefly.
[0058] As shown in FIGS. 6 A to 6C, the joinable figure toy 1A has
a notched portion 45 (a first notched portion) formed at a distal
end side of a spherical portion 41A of each of a left arm portion
4a and a right arm portion 4b. The notched portion 45 is formed to
extend along a front-rear direction of the spherical portion 41A. A
bottom portion of the notched portion 45 is formed into a concavely
curved shape as seen from the front-rear direction, so that an arc
center position of a concavely curved surface of the bottom portion
substantially coincides with a center position P4 of the spherical
portion 41A as seen from the front-rear direction (also, refer to
FIGS. 6A and 6C). Opposite inner surfaces of the notched portion 45
are formed so flat that the opposite inner surfaces stand
substantially parallel to each other.
[0059] A space between left and right leg parts 5 (a left leg part
5a and a right leg part 5b) of the joinable figure toy 1A is formed
wider than that of the joinable figure toy 1. A non-interferential
portion 55 (a second non-interferential portion) is formed between
the left and right leg parts 5 (the left leg part 5a and the right
leg part 5b) of the joinable figure toy 1A. The non-interferential
portion 55 has a space defined to such an extent that when
spherical portions 41A of one joinable figure toy 1A with its arm
parts 4 extended upwards (for example, the state of the joinable
figure toy 1d shown in FIG. 3) are brought into engagement with
corresponding receptacle portions 52A of another joinable figure
toy 1A with its leg parts 5 extended downwards (similarly, the
state of the joinable figure toy 1d shown in FIG. 3), a head port 3
of the lower joinable figure toy 1A is prevented from interfering
with leg parts 5 of the upper joinable figure toy 1A. Due to this,
even when the shape of the head part 3 of the joinable figure toy
1A is modified to match variously shaped characters, the head part
3 is prevented from interfering with the leg parts 5.
[0060] As shown in FIG. 7A, notched portions 521Aa, 521Ab (521A) (a
second notched portion) are formed in the receptacle portion 52A of
the joinable figure toy 1A. The notched portions 521Aa, 521Ab are
formed so that when two spherical portions 41A of one joinable
figure toy 1A are brought into engagement with two corresponding
receptacle portions 52A of the other joinable figure toy 1A with
the two joinable figure toys 1A oriented in the same direction or
in opposite directions, opening positions at a front end 45a and a
rear end 45b of the notched portion 45 (also, refer to FIGS. 6A to
6C) overlap opening positions of the notched portions 521Aa, 521Ab
which are opposite to each other when seen in a bottom view.
Positions of the spherical portions 41A which are in engagement
with the corresponding receptacle portions 52A are indicated by
chain double-dashed lines. In this embodiment, while the left and
right notched portions 521Aa, 521Ab are slightly inclined into an
inverted V-shape in such a manner as to be narrowed towards a front
side, the left and right notched portions 521Aa, 521Ab may be
formed so as to be parallel to each other.
[0061] By adopting the configuration described heretofore, since
the spherical portions 41A become easy to deflect transversely
inwards and the receptacle portions 52A become easy to deflect
transversely outwards, the deflecting directions substantially
coincide with each other, whereby the spherical portions 41A can
easily be brought into engagement with and disengagement from the
corresponding receptacle portions 52A.
[0062] Additionally, as shown in FIG. 7B, bottom portions 521c of
the notched portions 521Aa, 521Ab of the receptacle portion 52A are
disposed substantially at the same height as a center position P5
of the receptacle portion 52A. In the joinable figure toy 1A, since
the notched portions 45 are provided in the spherical portions 41A,
the spherical portions 41A can easily be brought into engagement
with and disengagement from the corresponding receptacle portions
52A even by a child.
* * * * *