The figure system includes: a plurality of drive units each including an actuator that generates rotative force; and a figure including a plurality of movable mechanisms and a plurality of flexible wires. The movable mechanisms each include a movable body that operates by the rotative force and an operation amount detector that detects an amount of operation of the movable body. The flexible wires include their respective first ends that are coupled to the movable bodies. The rotative force generated by one of the actuators is transmitted to corresponding one of the movable bodies through one of the flexible wires.

A ball hitting device that includes a ball; a device body with (i) a drive device that causes the device body to at least move forward and turn, (ii) a hitting device with at least one hitting section that contacts the ball to hit it forward, and (iii) ball holding pieces that are provided on respective left and right sides of the hitting section and extend in front of the device body; and an external controller which operates the drive device and the hitting device remotely. The ball hitting device is configured so that the ball is freely movable between the left and right ball holding pieces.

A ball hitting device that includes a ball; a device body with (i) a drive device that causes the device body to at least move forward and turn, (ii) a hitting device with at least one hitting section that contacts the ball to hit it forward, and (iii) ball holding pieces that are provided on respective left and right sides of the hitting section and extend in front of the device body; and an external controller which operates the drive device and the hitting device remotely. The ball hitting device is configured so that the ball is freely movable between the left and right ball holding pieces.

The invention provides a mechanical toy (2) comprising: a body portion (6) and an operating handle (4), the operating handle (4) being connectable to and disconnectable from the body portion (6); the operating handle (4) comprising a switch mechanism (19) operably connected to a moveable shaft (24), the moveable shaft (24) being operable to move between a first position and a second position under the operation of the switch mechanism (19); the body portion (6) comprising a gear mechanism operably connectable to the moveable shaft (24) and operable in use to rotate upon movement of the moveable shaft (24) between the first position and the second position; the body portion (6) further comprising at least one moveable limb (8) operably connected to the gear mechanism, at least part of the limb (8) being configured to move in use upon rotation of the gear mechanism, wherein the at least one moveable limb (8) or part thereof is rotatable about a primary pivot point (14), the primary pivot point (14) being defined by the axis of at least one gear of the gear mechanism and wherein the at least one moveable limb (8) comprises two or more connected portions (10) which are rotatable, in use with respect to one another about a secondary pivot point (16).

The invention provides a mechanical toy (2) comprising: a body portion (6) and an operating handle (4), the operating handle (4) being connectable to and disconnectable from the body portion (6); the operating handle (4) comprising a switch mechanism (19) operably connected to a moveable shaft (24), the moveable shaft (24) being operable to move between a first position and a second position under the operation of the switch mechanism (19); the body portion (6) comprising a gear mechanism operably connectable to the moveable shaft (24) and operable in use to rotate upon movement of the moveable shaft (24) between the first position and the second position; the body portion (6) further comprising at least one moveable limb (8) operably connected to the gear mechanism, at least part of the limb (8) being configured to move in use upon rotation of the gear mechanism, wherein the at least one moveable limb (8) or part thereof is rotatable about a primary pivot point (14), the primary pivot point (14) being defined by the axis of at least one gear of the gear mechanism and wherein the at least one moveable limb (8) comprises two or more connected portions (10) which are rotatable, in use with respect to one another about a secondary pivot point (16).

A figure system includes a drive unit including a plurality of actuators, and a figure including one or a plurality of axial joint mechanisms. The axial joint mechanisms each include a rotary part that is provided rotatably around a rotation axis. Drive force derived from one of the plurality of actuators is transmitted to corresponding one of the plurality of axial joint mechanisms through a wire. The rotary part has an arc shape at least in a part of an outer edge in a cross-section that is orthogonal to the rotation axis.

A figure system includes a drive unit including a plurality of actuators, and a figure including one or a plurality of axial joint mechanisms. The axial joint mechanisms each include a rotary part that is provided rotatably around a rotation axis. Drive force derived from one of the plurality of actuators is transmitted to corresponding one of the plurality of axial joint mechanisms through a wire. The rotary part has an arc shape at least in a part of an outer edge in a cross-section that is orthogonal to the rotation axis.

A figure system includes a drive unit and a figure. The drive unit includes a plurality of first actuators. The figure includes a plurality of joints. The joints have one or more axial joint mechanisms. Drive force derived from at least one of the first actuators is transmitted to corresponding at least one of the axial joint mechanisms through a wire. The drive unit includes, as the plurality of first actuators, a plurality of servomotors having respective drive shafts. The figure includes coupler members having respective bearing holes. The bearing holes are detachably coupled to the respective drive shafts of the servomotors, or configured to be detachably coupled to the respective drive shafts of the servomotors. The wire has a first end coupled to corresponding one of the axial joint mechanisms, and a second end coupled to corresponding one of the coupler members.

A small scale dynamic activity which comprises the use of a method, a hand-operated apparatus, a shooting apparatus, and a playing surface platform, presented as a preferred embodiment in the format of a small scale adaptation of the sport of hockey. A hand-operated apparatus is used as goalie equipment with a method of defending a goal from forthcoming small pucks. A shooting apparatus allows rotating a paddle member to control and propel such small pucks. A playing surface platform complements the use of the method along with these two apparatuses within shielded boundaries. The hand-operated apparatus can be positioned in a pose representative of goalie equipments and of bending of limbs. Furthermore, the present invention can be composed of different arrangements for alternative embodiments such as new types of games or to allow small scale adaptation of a physical activity.

A small scale dynamic activity which comprises the use of a method, a hand-operated apparatus, a shooting apparatus, and a playing surface platform, presented as a preferred embodiment in the format of a small scale adaptation of the sport of hockey. A hand-operated apparatus is used as goalie equipment with a method of defending a goal from forthcoming small pucks. A shooting apparatus allows rotating a paddle member to control and propel such small pucks. A playing surface platform complements the use of the method along with these two apparatuses within shielded boundaries. The hand-operated apparatus can be positioned in a pose representative of goalie equipments and of bending of limbs. Furthermore, the present invention can be composed of different arrangements for alternative embodiments such as new types of games or to allow small scale adaptation of a physical activity.