In an embodiment, an animated figure display system includes an animated figure having a body and a first tracker coupled to the body. The animated figure display system includes a projection surface having a second tracker coupled to the projection surface. The projection surface moves between a first position and a second position and the projection surface is at least partially concealed behind the animated figure in the first position. The animated figure display system includes a tracking camera that detects the first tracker and the second tracker and generates location data. A controller receives the location data and generates a control signal based on the location data. A projector receives the control signal indicative of image content from the controller and projects the image content onto the body of the animated figure and the external surface of the projection surface.

Aspects of the present disclosure are related to a flexible shell structure. The flexible shell structure includes a plurality of rigid support strips that collectively define a three-dimensional shape of at least one part of a character form. The flexible shell structure further includes at least one coupling member configured to couple two or more rigid support strips of the plurality of rigid support strips. The at least one coupling member enables the flexible shell structure to flex when a first force is applied to the flexible shell structure in a first direction, and enables the flexible shell structure to resist flexing when a second force is applied to the flexible shell structure in a second direction.

A rotating joint assembly such as an interface device in a master device or remote manipulator for a puppeteering device or other mechanical system operating in response to operator input and requiring more than 360 degrees of rotation. The rotating joint assembly includes a hard stop assembly that limits the rotation of its rotating component(s) to a predefined maximum amount of rotation such as to less than two full revolutions, e.g., some rotation amount between 360 and 720 degrees. The hard stop assembly includes a Geneva drive body or driven wheel with a hard stop body rigidly coupled with the Geneva drive body to rotate it between a disengaged position (during the first revolution) and one of two engaged positions by rotation of an inner ring (at some point during the second revolution in either direction).

A push toy having a puppet mounted on a first member. Pivotally cross-connected at one end of the first member is a second member having wheels and pivotally cross-connected at the other end of the first member is a third member used for steering. Cables connecting the third member to the second member extend along each side of the first member. The cables extend through the puppet and the feet of the puppet are connected to the second member. As a user pushes the push toy and steers the wheels turn as the puppet moves in a manner such that the puppet appears to be steering the push toy.

An animated figure system includes an animated figure comprising a flexible skin layer, an actuating system coupled to a connection location of the flexible skin layer, and an automation controller. The automation controller is configured to access a digital model of the animated figure, in which the digital model comprises a vertex associated with the connection location, determine a first positioning of the vertex within the digital model, and control the actuating system to set a second positioning of the connection location based on the first positioning of the vertex.

A rotating joint assembly such as an interface device in a master device or remote manipulator for a puppeteering device or other mechanical system operating in response to operator input and requiring more than 360 degrees of rotation. The rotating joint assembly includes a hard stop assembly that limits the rotation of its rotating component(s) to a predefined maximum amount of rotation such as to less than two full revolutions, e.g., some rotation amount between 360 and 720 degrees. The hard stop assembly includes a Geneva drive body or driven wheel with a hard stop body rigidly coupled with the Geneva drive body to rotate it between a disengaged position (during the first revolution) and one of two engaged positions by rotation of an inner ring (at some point during the second revolution in either direction).

A drive device (7) that unwinds, in a first direction, a wire (WR) connected to an operation target (41, 551, 552) with predetermined tension and pulls the wire in a direction opposite to the first direction to cause the operation target to perform an action includes a motor (71), a first rotating member (74) that can be rotated by the motor in a second direction and in a direction opposite to the second direction about a rotation axis (Rx5), a pulling member (TM) that is provided rotatably coaxially with the first rotating member, holds an end (WR1) of the wire, rotates in the second direction to unwind the wire in the first direction, and rotates in the direction opposite to the second direction to pull the wire in the direction opposite to the first direction, and a pulling member side urging member (77) that urges the pulling member in the direction opposite to the second direction relative to the first rotating member, in which, when the wire is moved in the first direction due to an external factor, the pulling member rotates in the second direction against an urging force of the pulling member side urging member, to unwind the wire in the first direction.

A long-distance ascent-descent clockwork includes a first driving module, a rack, and a second driving module. The first driving module has a light-emitting unit and a first motor. The rack is coupled to a supporting rod. The supporting rod has one end joined to the first driving module. The second driving module has a second motor. The second motor has a first rotating shaft having a gear for meshing with the rack to drive the rack to ascend and descend. The first driving module has a swinging mechanism for driving a swinging rod to swing automatically. The second driving module is joined to legs and a base and thereby can move and rotate automatically. A theme shaped object being a white ghost shape and worn externally on the long-distance ascent-descent clockwork ascends and descends, with its head swinging leftward and rightward, and its hands swinging inward and outward.

An animated figure includes an appendage having a joint. The animated figure also includes a joint restraint device coupled to the appendage. The joint restraint device includes a membrane defining an internal volume and granules disposed within the internal volume. Additionally, the joint restraint device is configured to compact the granules against each other to restrain motion of the joint in response to a vacuum pressure applied to the membrane.

A gesture and show control system for a puppeted walk-around character performer used for engaging directly with guests. The system having a power management, a costume and show controller has one or more than one processor that has storage for storing instructions executable on the one or more than one processor for operating and controlling the puppet, an audio subsystem, one or more than one control sensor, one or more than one visual indicator, and one or more than one glove control operably connected to the costume and show controller.