The animation puppet includes a body core, a head configured for friction-fit engagement with the body core and forming a head joint therebetween, a pair of upper limbs configured for friction-fit engagement with the body core and forming a respective pair of upper limb joints therebetween, and a pair of legs configured for friction-fit engagement with the body core and forming a respective pair of leg joints therebetween. Each of the joints include a pair of articulable surfaces in said friction-fit engagement by way of a surface interface pre-tension having a coefficient of friction relatively greater than the weight of the animation puppet such that each joint independently supports the weight of the animation puppet while simultaneously permitting relative independent position posing of one or more of the head, the pair of arms, and/or the pair of limbs relative to the body core for stop-motion animation.

The animation puppet includes a body core, a head configured for friction-fit engagement with the body core and forming a head joint therebetween, a pair of upper limbs configured for friction-fit engagement with the body core and forming a respective pair of upper limb joints therebetween, and a pair of legs configured for friction-fit engagement with the body core and forming a respective pair of leg joints therebetween. Each of the joints include a pair of articulable surfaces in said friction-fit engagement by way of a surface interface pre-tension having a coefficient of friction relatively greater than the weight of the animation puppet such that each joint independently supports the weight of the animation puppet while simultaneously permitting relative independent position posing of one or more of the head, the pair of arms, and/or the pair of limbs relative to the body core for stop-motion animation.

A toy robot includes a joint structure which includes first and second links and first and second connecting members, wherein each of the first and second links includes a central region and a pair of sidewall regions that are bent to extend to the left and right of the central region, and the pair of sidewall regions face each other. A first one of the sidewall regions of the first link and a second one of the sidewall regions of the second link partially overlap, the first connecting member includes a first shaft penetrating the overlapping region of the first and second sidewall regions, a third one of the sidewall regions of the first link and a fourth one of the sidewall regions of the second link partially overlap, the second connecting member includes a second shaft penetrating the overlapping region of the third and fourth sidewall regions.

A toy robot includes a joint structure which includes first and second links and first and second connecting members, wherein each of the first and second links includes a central region and a pair of sidewall regions that are bent to extend to the left and right of the central region, and the pair of sidewall regions face each other. A first one of the sidewall regions of the first link and a second one of the sidewall regions of the second link partially overlap, the first connecting member includes a first shaft penetrating the overlapping region of the first and second sidewall regions, a third one of the sidewall regions of the first link and a fourth one of the sidewall regions of the second link partially overlap, the second connecting member includes a second shaft penetrating the overlapping region of the third and fourth sidewall regions.

An action robot includes a connector configured to connect a body to a movable part, a joint including a rotational body fastened to the movable part, a joint shaft provided to protrude from the rotational body, and a joint shaft supporting part provided in the connector to have a ring shape, the joint shaft being inserted into the joint shaft, a wire connected to the movable part to pull the movable part in a direction in which the joint is bent, a wire path provided in the connector, the wire path including an inlet which is disposed in the body and through which the wire passes, and a supporter disposed in the body to support the wire. An upper end of the supporter overlaps the inlet in a horizontal direction.

An articulable toy figure that has multiple body parts joined by ball and socket joints. Frame sections are disposed within the body parts. The frame sections are molded from a first plastic. The ball structures for the joints are molded as part of the frame structures. Additionally, breakaway necks are molded into the frame structures immediately adjacent the ball structures. Body features are over-molded onto frame structures. The body features are molded from a second plastic. The socket structures of the joints are molded as part of the body features. When a body part is first manipulated, the narrowed breakaway neck within the internal frame structure breaks. This frees the ball structure on the frame structures to move within the socket structure of the body feature. This produces a functional ball and socket joint that enables the body parts to be selectively posed.

An articulable toy figure that has multiple body parts joined by ball and socket joints. Frame sections are disposed within the body parts. The frame sections are molded from a first plastic. The ball structures for the joints are molded as part of the frame structures. Additionally, breakaway necks are molded into the frame structures immediately adjacent the ball structures. Body features are over-molded onto frame structures. The body features are molded from a second plastic. The socket structures of the joints are molded as part of the body features. When a body part is first manipulated, the narrowed breakaway neck within the internal frame structure breaks. This frees the ball structure on the frame structures to move within the socket structure of the body feature. This produces a functional ball and socket joint that enables the body parts to be selectively posed.

A robotic animal puzzle is assembled from flat board pieces. The robotic animal includes a head portion. The head portion includes a neck group, a torso portion, including a holder 15 for an optional battery, multiple leg portions, and a tail portion. Those pieces and groups are connected using either interlocking mechanisms or flexible linkages to form the robotic animal-shaped puzzle. Movement and gestures may be controlled by an externally connected processor powered by an on-board battery pack. A pull and drag mechanism is provided to conveniently tune the center of mass. Slots allow the screw that connects the battery holder to slide.

A robotic animal puzzle is assembled from flat board pieces. The robotic animal includes a head portion. The head portion includes a neck group, a torso portion, including a holder 15 for an optional battery, multiple leg portions, and a tail portion. Those pieces and groups are connected using either interlocking mechanisms or flexible linkages to form the robotic animal-shaped puzzle. Movement and gestures may be controlled by an externally connected processor powered by an on-board battery pack. A pull and drag mechanism is provided to conveniently tune the center of mass. Slots allow the screw that connects the battery holder to slide.

Disclosed herein is a mini-figure that may be used with existing and standard toy block systems and also have the appearance of a sports figure. Improvements over traditional mini-figures include additional separate components in the arms and feet, an optional variation in torso shape, accessories which create visual impression of sports figures in natural use, unique markings identifiable by specific player or production, and a unique method of marketing and distribution.