Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to improvements in or relating to mechanical toys.

Background to the Invention It is known in the art to provide mechanical figures or toys which in some way mimic the natural actions of people or animals. Commonly, such toys comprise a figure, which may resemble a human or an animal, and an operating mechanism which moves a part of the figure's anatomy. The operating mechanism is commonly provided integral with the figure and fully part of the figure, however in some instances it may be desirable for the operating mechanism and figure to be separated from one another. However, fully jointed movement of parts of a figure's anatomy utilising an operating mechanism integral with the figure, but actuated on a peripheral or remote mechanism connected to the figure, is difficult to achieve.

Furthermore, known mechanical toys where the operating mechanism is provided integral with the figure are provided as a single unit. However, it is desirable for the operating mechanism and figure to be separable as in this way, a number of different figures may be connectable to a single operating mechanism allowing for a user to swap or interchange figures as desired, to replace a first figure with one which performs a different action or which resembles a different person or animal. It would therefore be advantageous to provide a novel or improved mechanism for controlling the operation of a mechanical figure which mimics the movement of one or more limbs of a person or animal.

It would also be advantageous to provide a mechanical figure whereby the figure and the operating mechanism are easily disconnected and reconnected to enable a user to use a single operating mechanism but swap or interchange the figure as desired, such as to replace a first figure with one which performs a different action or which resembles a different person or animal; or to place the disconnected figure on a display device.

It is therefore an aim of embodiments of the invention to overcome or mitigate at least one problem of the prior art.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided 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 positon; 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 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.

In some embodiments the switch mechanism may be located substantially within the operating handle and may comprise a projecting portion. In such embodiments, the projecting portion may project through an aperture within the operating handle. In some embodiments the aperture may comprise a slot and the projecting portion of the switch mechanism may be moveable along the slot. In such embodiments, the movement of the projecting portion along the slot may actuate movement of the moveable shaft.

The switch mechanism may comprise a sleeve which may be located within the operating handle, in use. In such embodiments, the sleeve may be located coaxial about a portion of the moveable shaft in an abutting relation. In use, the sleeve may act 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. To achieve this, the sleeve may also be moveable and said movement of the sleeve may actuate movement of the shaft. In embodiments wherein the switch mechanism additionally comprises a projecting portion, the projecting portion may be mechanically connected to the sleeve such that movement of the projecting portion, such as along a slot in the operating handle, may actuate movement of the sleeve which in turn acts to move the moveable shaft between its first and second positions.

The shaft may be linearly moveable between its first position and its second position. In such embodiments, the switch mechanism may comprise a sleeve which also is moveable in a linear motion actuating movement of the shaft along the same axis. The sleeve may be mechanically connected to the portion of the shaft and its motion may be directly translated into motion of the moveable shaft, in use.

In other embodiments the shaft is rotatable between its first position and its second position. In such embodiments, the sleeve of the switching mechanism may also be rotatable and may rotate in the same direction as the shaft in order to actuate movement of the shaft. Alternatively, the sleeve of the switching mechanism may be operable in use to move linearly, with the linear motion of the sleeve actuating rotational motion in the shaft. To achieve this, the portion of the shaft enclosed by the sleeve may comprise a helical configuration and the sleeve may comprise one or more portions thereof which abut a surface of the helical portion of the shaft. In this way, as the sleeve 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.

The gear mechanism may comprise one or more individual gears. In some embodiments the mechanical toy 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. In embodiments wherein the shaft is linearly moveable between its first and second positions, the linear motion of the shaft may be translated into rotational motion of the primary gear. In embodiments wherein the shaft rotates, in use, between its first and second position, the shaft may be operably connected to the primary gear such that the primary gear rotates, in use, upon rotation of the shaft.

In some embodiments the rotation of the primary gear may actuate movement of the moveable limb directly. For example, the rotation of the primary gear may cause the at least one moveable limb to itself rotate about a fixed pivot point. In further embodiments the gear mechanism comprises one or more secondary gears mechanically connected to the primary gear. The or each secondary gear may be rotatable under the rotation of the primary gear. In such embodiments, the rotation of the or each secondary gear may actuate the movement of at least part of the at least one moveable limb of the mechanical toy. In presently preferred embodiments, the gear mechanism comprises a primary gear and a single secondary gear.

In some embodiments the mechanical toy comprises a body portion mechanically connected to the operating handle. The body portion may house one or more components of the mechanical toy, such as the gear mechanism, and/or a portion of the moveable shaft, for example. The body portion may be in the form of a human, or an animal, for example. In such embodiments, the at least one moveable limb may comprise an arm or a leg. In presently preferred embodiments the body portion is in the form of a human and the at least one moveable limb comprises a leg or arm of the human, such as a leg.

In some embodiments the body portion is in the form of a sporting figure such as a football (soccer) player, American football (gridiron) player, boxer, baseball player, rugby player, martial artist or the like, for example. In some embodiments the body portion comprises a football, American football or rugby player and the or each moveable limb comprising a leg.

In some embodiments the body portion may be releasably connectable to the operating handle. In such embodiments the body portion may be connectable to the operating handle through a connection point such as a click-fit connection. The connection point may additionally comprise a release switch operable in use that when switched, the body portion and operating handle may be disconnected. In some embodiments the release switch may be a push button or a sliding switch, for example. Providing a body portion which is releasably connected to the operating handle allows for the operating handle to be connected to any number of a plurality of different body portions, in use, or for the body portions to be connected to a display stand or device via the connection point (click-fit connection).

The at least part of the at least one moveable limb is operably connected to the gear mechanism and moveable upon rotation of the gear mechanism. In some embodiments the part of the limb may move linearly, in use, upon rotation of the gear mechanism. In presently preferred embodiments, the part of the limb is rotatable, in use, upon rotation of the gear mechanism. In such embodiments the part of the limb is rotatable about a primary pivot point. The primary pivot point may be defined by the axis of at least one of the or each individual gear of the gear mechanism. In some embodiments, a first, upper part of the moveable limb is connected to the gear mechanism at the primary pivot point. In this way, the upper part of the at least one limb may move upon rotation of the gear mechanism about the primary pivot point, whilst a second, lower part of the at least one limb may move about the secondary pivot point due to the movement of the upper portion of the at least one limb. In such embodiments, the lower part may rotate freely about the secondary pivot point. In other embodiments, however, the upper and lower parts of the at least one limb may be operable to rotate about the primary and secondary pivot points in a complimentary fashion. To achieve this, the upper and lower parts may be mechanically connected. The mechanical connection may comprise a rod, for example. The rod may be fixed to the upper part of the limb at the primary pivot point and to the lower part of the limb at the secondary pivot point and may move in a given direction upon rotation of the upper part of the limb about the primary pivot point. Through its connection to the lower part of the limb at the secondary pivot point, the movement of the rod upon rotation of the upper part of the limb about the primary pivot point may actuate rotation of the lower portion of the limb about the secondary pivot point, in use. In this way, the movement of both the upper and lower parts of the at least one limb may be controlled directly or indirectly through the rotation of the gear mechanism and ultimately through control of the switch mechanism.

In some embodiments the upper and lower parts of the at least one moveable limb may be additionally connected by a biasing means. The biasing means may be a resilient or elastic cord connected at a first end to a first point within the upper part and at a second end to a second point within the lower part of the respective limb. In use, the biasing means may be operable to bias the lower part of the limb in a given direction of rotation about the secondary pivot point. In such embodiments, the rotation of the upper part about the primary pivot point may be such that the corresponding rotation of the lower part of the limb about the secondary pivot point may be in a direction with or against the bias of the biasing means. In use, where the lower part moves with the bias of the biasing means, stored energy within the biasing means may be transferred to the lower part such that it rotates about the secondary pivot point at an increased angular velocity to the rotation of the upper part of the limb about the primary pivot point. In this way, the movement of the or each moveable limb may mimic the movement of a human leg or arm performing a kicking or throwing action or the like, for example. The upper part of the limb may be a thigh and the lower part may be a lower leg, such that movement of the primary and secondary pivot parts mimic rotation of a thigh and lower leg of a human during a kicking activity.

In some embodiments the operating handle comprises a tubular configuration which may be substantially cylindrical. The tubular operating handle may be hollow throughout its entire length defining an interior volume in which the moveable shaft may be located and may move within.

The operating handle may additionally comprise a gripping portion. The gripping portion may be at a first end of the operating handle. For example, in embodiments wherein the operating handle comprises a tubular configuration, the gripping portion may be at a first end of the tube. In some embodiments the gripping portion of the operating handle may house substantially all of, or at least part of the switch mechanism.

In embodiments wherein the operating handle comprises a tubular configuration, the body portion of the mechanical toy may be mechanically connected to an end of the handle. For example, in some embodiments the body portion may be at a second end of the handle which is distal to the first end at which a gripping portion may be provided. In this way, the mechanical toy of the invention provides a means to operate the movement of the at least one moveable limb at a distance away from the limb itself, that distance corresponding to the length of the tubular operating handle. According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a mechanical toy comprising a body portion and an operating handle releasably connected to one another; wherein the operating handle comprises a switch mechanism operably connected to a rotatable shaft, the shaft being operable to rotate between a first position and a second position under the operation of the switch mechanism; and the body portion comprises a gear mechanism which, when the body portion and operating handle are connected to one another, is operably connected to the rotatable shaft and is operable in use to rotate upon rotation of the shaft between the first position and the second positon; wherein the body portion further comprises a moveable limb operably connected to the gear mechanism and at least a part of the moveable limb is configured to move in use upon rotation of the gear mechanism to mimic the movement of a limb of a person.

The mechanical toy of the second aspect of the invention may incorporate any or all of the features of the mechanical toy of the first aspect of the invention as is desired or appropriate.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a kit comprising at least one handle portion of the mechanical toy of the first and second aspect of the invention and at least one body portion of the first and second aspect of the invention. In some embodiments the kit comprises two or more body portions, which may be two or more sporting figures, such as two or more football (soccer) players, boxers, rugby players, martial artists or the like, for example. In some embodiments the kit further comprises a display device, such as a display stand. The display stand may comprise a connection point for connecting to the connection point of the or each body portion, such as a matching click-fit connection to the click-fit connection of the or each body portion. Providing a display device allows a user to disconnect the figure from the handle portion and connect it to the display device for display purposes or, for example, to allow the user to customise the body portion such as by painting it or adding decals. According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided 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 positon; 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.

In some embodiments the switch mechanism may be located substantially within the operating handle and may comprise a projecting portion. In such embodiments, the projecting portion may project through an aperture within the operating handle. In some embodiments the aperture may comprise a slot and the projecting portion of the switch mechanism may be moveable along the slot. In such embodiments, the movement of the projecting portion along the slot may actuate movement of the moveable shaft.

The switch mechanism may comprise a sleeve which may be located within the operating handle, in use. In such embodiments, the sleeve may be located coaxial about a portion of the moveable shaft in an abutting relation. In use, the sleeve may act 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. To achieve this, the sleeve may also be moveable and said movement of the sleeve may actuate movement of the shaft. In embodiments wherein the switch mechanism additionally comprises a projecting portion, the projecting portion may be mechanically connected to the sleeve such that movement of the projecting portion, such as along a slot in the operating handle, may actuate movement of the sleeve which in turn acts to move the moveable shaft between its first and second positions.

The shaft may be linearly moveable between its first position and its second position. In such embodiments, the switch mechanism may comprise a sleeve which also is moveable in a linear motion actuating movement of the shaft along the same axis. The sleeve may be mechanically connected to the portion of the shaft and its motion may be directly translated into motion of the moveable shaft, in use.

In preferred embodiments the shaft is rotatable between its first position and its second position. In such embodiments, the sleeve of the switching mechanism may also be rotatable and may rotate in the same direction as the shaft in order to actuate movement of the shaft. Alternatively, the sleeve of the switching mechanism may be operable in use to move linearly, with the linear motion of the sleeve actuating rotational motion in the shaft. To achieve this, the portion of the shaft enclosed by the sleeve may comprise a helical configuration and the sleeve may comprise one or more portions thereof which abut a surface of the helical portion of the shaft. In this way, as the sleeve 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.

Detailed Description of the Invention

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:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a mechanical toy in accordance with an aspect of the invention; Figure 2 is a further perspective view of the embodiment of the mechanical toy shown in Figure 1 illustrating the internal mechanism of the mechanical toy;

Figure 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

Figures 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.

Figure 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 potion 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 Figures 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 potion 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. Figure 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.

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 potion 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. 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. 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.

Figure 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 Figure 2 in its released position. The release switch 38 provides a click fit connection between the operating handle 4 and the body potion 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 Figure 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.

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. Figure 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 Figure 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.

Figures 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 Figure 4A to a final position as shown in Figure 4D. Initially, the moveable limb 8 may be configured in the position shown in Figure

4A, with the limb 8 pulled back with respect to the rest of the body portion 6. In some embodiments the position shown in Figure 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.

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 Figure 4 A to the position shown in Figure 4B and subsequently onto the position shown in Figure 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.

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 Figure 4D. In this position, the limb 8 is fully rotated and is now forward of the remainder of the body portion 6.

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 Figure 4 A from the position shown in Figure 4D. In this way, the mechanical toy 2 may reset automatically.

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.

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.