A MECHANICAL TOY

Abstract

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).

Claims

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

2. A mechanical toy of claim 1 wherein the switch mechanism is located within the operating handle and comprises a projecting portion, the projecting portion projecting through an aperture within the operating handle.

3. A mechanical toy as claimed in claim 2 wherein the aperture comprises a slot along which the projecting portion of the switch mechanism is moveable, in use, wherein the movement of the projecting portion along the slot actuates movement of the moveable shaft.

4. A mechanical toy of claim 1 wherein the switch mechanism comprises a sleeve located coaxial about a portion of the moveable shaf in an abutting relation, wherein, in use, the sleeve acts to move the moveable shaft between its first position and its second position through acting on the portion of the shaft about which it is located.

5. A mechanical toy as claimed in claim 1 wherein the shaft is linearly moveable between its first position and its second position.

6. A mechanical toy as claimed in claim 1 wherein the shaft is rotatable between its first position and its second position.

7. A mechanical toy as claimed in claim 6 wherein the sleeve of the switching mechanism is operable in use to move linearly, the linear motion of the sleeve actuating rotational motion in the shaft.

8. A mechanical toy as claimed in claim 7 wherein the portion of the shaft enclosed by the sleeve comprises a helical configuration and the sleeve comprises one or more portions thereof which abut a surface of the helical portion of the shaft, wherein as the sleeved is moved linearly, in use, the portion or portions of the sleeve which abut the helical surface/s of the shaft act to rotate the shaft in a given direction.

9. A mechanical toy as claimed in claim 1 wherein the gear mechanism comprises a primary gear which is operably connected to the moveable shaft and is operable in use to rotate under the movement of the shaft between its first and second positions.

10. A mechanical toy as claimed in claim 9 wherein the rotation of the primary gear actuates movement of at least part of the moveable limb directly.

11. A mechanical toy as claimed in claim 9 wherein the gear mechanism additionally comprises one or more secondary gears mechanically connected to the primary gear, wherein the or each secondary gear is rotatable, in use, under the rotation of the primary gear.

12. A mechanical toy as claimed in claim 11 wherein the rotation of the or each secondary gear actuates the movement of at least part of the at least one moveable limb of the mechanical toy, in use.

13. A mechanical toy as claimed in claim 1 comprising a body portion mechanically connected to the operating handle.

14. A mechanical toy as claimed in claim 13 wherein the body portion may house one or more components of the mechanical toy.

15. A mechanical toy as claimed in claim 13 wherein the moveable limb of the mechanical toy comprises part of the body portion.

16. A mechanical toy as claimed in claim 1 wherein the body portion is in the form of a human, and the at least one moveable limb comprises an arm or a leg.

17. A mechanical toy of claim 1 wherein the body portion is releasably connected to the operating handle.

18. A mechanical toy as claimed in claim 17 wherein the body portion is connectable to the operating handle through a click-fit connection, the click-fit connection additionally comprising a release switch operable in use that when switched, the body portion and operating handle may be disconnected.

19. A mechanical toy as claimed in claim 1 wherein the at least one moveable limb or part thereof is rotatable, in use, upon rotation of the gear mechanism.

20. A mechanical toy as claimed in claim 1 wherein the at least one moveable limb comprises a first, upper part connected to the gear mechanism at the primary pivot point and a second, lower part connected to the upper part of the limb at the secondary pivot point, the lower part being rotatable about the secondary pivot point in response to the movement of the upper part about the primary pivot point.

21. A mechanical toy as claimed in claim 20 wherein the upper and lower parts of the at least one limb are mechanically connected and are operable to rotate about the primary and secondary pivot points in a complimentary fashion.

22. A mechanical toy as claimed in claim 20 wherein the upper and lower parts of the at least one moveable limb are additionally connected by a biasing means, the biasing means being operable in use to bias the lower part of the limb in a given direction of rotation about the secondary pivot point.

23. A mechanical toy as claimed in claim 22 wherein the biasing means comprises a resilient or elastic cord connecting the upper and lower parts of the at least one moveable limb.

24. (canceled)

25. A mechanical toy comprising a body portion and an operating handle, the operating handle being connectable to and disconnectable from the body portion; the operating handle comprising a switch mechanism operably connected to a moveable shaft, the moveable shaft being operable to move between a first position and a second position under the operation of the switch mechanism; the body portion comprising a gear mechanism operably connectable to the moveable shaft and operable in use to rotate upon movement of the moveable shaft between the first position and the second position; the body portion further comprising at least one moveable limb operably connected to the gear mechanism, at least part of the limb being configured to move in use upon rotation of the gear mechanism; wherein the switch mechanism comprises a sleeve located coaxial about a portion of the moveable shaft in an abutting relation, wherein, in use, the sleeve acts to move the moveable shaft between its first position and its second position through acting on the portion of the shaft about which it is located; and wherein the shaft is rotatable between its first position and its second position.

26. A kit comprising an operating handle as described in claim 1 and a plurality of body portions as described in claim 1 and optionally a display device.

27. (canceled)

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] In order that the invention may be more clearly understood an embodiment thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

[0034] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a mechanical toy in accordance with an aspect of the invention;

[0035] FIG. 2 is a further perspective view of the embodiment of the mechanical toy shown in FIG. 1 illustrating the internal mechanism of the mechanical toy;

[0036] FIG. 3 is a side cross sectional view of a portion of the operating handle of a mechanical toy in accordance with an aspect of the invention; and

[0037] FIGS. 4A-4D are a series of perspective views of an embodiment of a mechanical toy in accordance with an aspect of the invention illustrating the operational use thereof.

[0038] FIG. 1 provides an overview of a mechanical toy 2 in accordance with the first or second aspect of the present invention. The mechanical toy 2 comprises an operating handle 4 and body portion 6. The body portion 6 is releasably connected at a first end of the operating handle 4 and includes a moveable limb 8 which is made up of an upper part in the form of upper portion 10 and a lower part in the form of a lower portion 12. The upper portion 10 of moveable limb 8 is rotatable with respect to the rest of the body portion 6 about pivot point 14. Similarly, lower portion 12 of the moveable limb 8 is rotatable with respect to the upper portion 10 of the moveable limb 8 about pivot point 16. The operating handle 4 comprises a substantially cylindrical configuration which is hollow therethrough containing a rotatable shaft 24 (shown in FIGS. 2 and 3). The shaft 24, as will be described hereinbelow, is rotatable under the operation of a switch mechanism 19. The operating handle 4 also includes a gripping portion 18 at an end which is distal from the body portion 6. The gripping portion 18 houses the switch mechanism 19 which includes a switch actuator in the form of a projecting lever 20 which, in use, is moveable along a slot 22 in the gripping portion 18.

[0039] FIG. 2 illustrates the internal mechanism of the mechanical toy 2 which includes a gear mechanism comprising a primary gear 26 and secondary gear 28, operating rod 30 and biasing cord 32. In use, the primary gear 26 is mechanically connected to the rotatable shaft 24 such that it rotates as the rotatable shaft 24 rotates. Primary and secondary gears 26, 28 are similarly mechanically connected such that the rotation of primary gear 26 effects rotation of the secondary gear 28. It is the rotation of this secondary gear 28 which causes movement of the moveable limb 8 as will be described below.

[0040] Secondary gear 28 is contained within the upper portion 10 of the moveable limb 8 and the rotation of the secondary gear 28 is such that the upper portion 10 is similarly rotated about primary pivot point 14. Operating rod 30 acts to transfer the rotation of the upper portion 10 to the lower portion 12 of the moveable limb 8. To achieve this, operating rod 30 is connected to a portion of the upper portion 10 at the primary pivot point 14, and to the lower portion 12 at the secondary pivot point 16. In this way, as the upper portion 10 rotates about the primary pivot point 14, the operating rod acts to rotate the lower portion 12 about the secondary pivot point 16.

[0041] Biasing cord 32 also acts to move the lower portion 12 of the moveable limb 8. The cord 32 is connected at a first end to a first point 34 within the upper portion 10 and at a second end to a second point 36 within the lower portion 12 of the moveable limb 8. In use, the biasing cord 32 provide a bias to the lower portion 12 of the limb 8 in a given direction of rotation about the secondary pivot point 16 and the lower portion 12 of the limb 8 may rotate about the secondary pivot point 16 under the influence of the rotation of the upper portion 10 in a direction with or against the bias of the biasing cord 32. In use, where the lower portion 12 moves with the bias of the biasing cord 32, stored energy within the biasing cord 32 is transferred to the lower portion 12 such that it rotates about the secondary pivot point 16 at an increased angular velocity to the rotation of the upper portion 10 about the primary pivot point 14. In this way, the movement of limb 8 mimics the movement of a human leg performing a kicking action.

[0042] Although illustrated as a biasing cord 32, the mechanical toy 2 of the invention may alternatively comprise another means of providing a bias to the movement of one or more of the portions 10, 12 of the moveable limb 8. For example, in some embodiments the biasing means may comprise a spring or the like. In other embodiments there may not be provided a biasing means and the complimentary rotation of the upper and lower portions 10, 12 of the moveable limb 8 may be provided solely by the operating rod 30.

[0043] FIG. 2 also illustrates a further feature of the mechanical toy 2 of the invention. Specifically, body portion 6 additionally comprises a connection point in the form of a release switch 38, which is shown in FIG. 2 in its released position. The release switch 38 provides a click fit connection between the operating handle 4 and the body portion 6 of the mechanical toy 2. To achieve this, release switch 38 comprises a locking portion 40 which, in use, may connect with a complimentary locking portion 42 on the operating handle 4 to retain the operating handle 4 and body portion 6 in a connected configuration. The release switch 38 is biased by means of spring 44 to retain the release switch 38 in a position wherein it is connected with the locking portion 42 of the operating handle 4. However, as shown in FIG. 2, the release switch 38 may be moved against the bias provided by spring 44 by sliding the switch 38, causing the locking portions 40, 42 to move apart to release the operating handle 4 and body portion 6.

[0044] Although shown in the Figures as a sliding release switch 38, it should be understood that any form of switch may be utilised to provide a releasable connection between the operating handle 4 and the body portion 6 of the mechanical toy 2. For example, release switch 38 may comprise a push button which may be depressed in order to release the connection between the operating handle 4 and the body portion 6.

[0045] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the operating handle 4 which illustrates how switch mechanism 19 operates. Switch mechanism 19 comprises a sleeve 46 located coaxially about a helical portion 48. The projecting lever 20 is connected to the sleeve 46 and movement of the lever 20 along slot 22 (not shown in FIG. 3) acts to move the sleeve 46 along the same axis. The sleeve 46 is configured such that as it is moved under the influence of lever 20 one or more portions of the sleeve 46 which are in an abutting relation with the helical portion 48 act to rotate the helical portion 48 is a given direction about the axis along which the sleeve 46 is moved. The helical portion 48 is itself connected to the shaft 24 and said rotation of the helical portion 48 causes the shaft 24 to rotate also. In this way, the shaft 24 is rotatable under the operation of the projecting lever 20, which may be moved along the slot 22 by a user. The lever 20, or even the switch mechanism 19 itself, may be biased to a given position. For example, the lever 20 may be biased such that it is retained at a given end of slot 22 and moved along the slot against said bias under application of an external force by a user. In this way, the mechanical toy 2 may comprise a means to automatically reset after operation.

[0046] FIGS. 4A to 4D illustrate a single cycle of the kicking action provided by the mechanical toy 2 of the invention from an initial position as shown in FIG. 4A to a final position as shown in FIG. 4D.

[0047] Initially, the moveable limb 8 may be configured in the position shown in FIG. 4A, with the limb 8 pulled back with respect to the rest of the body portion 6. In some embodiments the position shown in FIG. 4A may be a resting position of the mechanical toy 2, with the switching mechanism 19 in an unactuated position. As shown, the lower portion 12 of the limb 8 may be rotated about the secondary pivot point 16 in addition to the rotation of the upper portion 10 about the primary pivot point 14 such that the limb 8 itself appears bent about the secondary pivot point 16. The bending of the limb 8 at the secondary pivot point 16 acts against the biasing force provided by biasing cord 32, thereby storing energy in the cord 32 which may be transferred to the limb 8 during subsequent movement thereof.

[0048] Rotation of the shaft 24, under the influence of the switch mechanism 19, causes rotation of the secondary gear 28 (as described above) resulting in rotation of the upper portion 10 of the limb 8 about the primary pivot point 14 from the position shown in FIG. 4A to the position shown in FIG. 4B and subsequently onto the position shown in FIG. 4C. In doing so, the limb 8 straightens as shown under the influence of operating rod 30, which, as described above, causes a complimentary rotation of the lower portion 12 of the limb 8 when the upper portion 10 rotates. This straightening of the limb 8 also results from the action of the biasing cord 32.

[0049] The limb 8 continues to rotate about the primary pivot point 14 until the switch mechanism 19 is in its fully actuated position, i.e. where the projecting lever 20 has been moved along the entire length of the slot 22 in gripping portion 18, to the position shown in FIG. 4D. In this position, the limb 8 is fully rotated and is now forward of the remainder of the body portion 6.

[0050] As discussed above, the switch mechanism 19 may be biased towards a given position, which is preferably an unactuated position. In this way, if the user releases the projecting lever 20 the lever 20 will be biased back along slot 22. The movement of the lever 20 in this sense causes the shaft 24 to rotate in the opposite sense ultimately resulting in the moveable limb 8 being rotated back to the position shown in FIG. 4A from the position shown in FIG. 4D. In this way, the mechanical toy 2 may reset automatically.

[0051] The body portion 6 is depicted as a figure comprising a moveable leg and may be in the form of a football (soccer) player, American football (gridiron) player, martial artist or rugby football player. The body portion 6 may be part of a kit including an operating handle 4 and a plurality of body portions 6, which may be different sporting figures, such as a plurality of football (soccer) or rugby players, or a mixture of different sporting figures, such as a plurality of rugby, football (soccer) and martial arts figures, for example. The kit may also comprise a display stand which includes one or more connection points which are arranged to connect to the connection point of each body portion 6.

[0052] The above embodiments are described by way of example only. Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.