BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Toy figures aim to replicate the posture and movement of the corresponding live figures. For instance, a human-like toy figure attempts to replicate as far as possible the movements of the human body.

As toy figures decrease in size, it becomes more difficult to design and manufacture the toy figures Incorporating multiple movable joints.

A particular problem, for such small toy figures, Is the need to provide small joints that are durable have sufliçbnw dose tolerances to provide the necessary friction between the moveable surfaces of the joints required for proper operation of the joints.

As the number of joints increases, the problem is compounded beca se the competing need for strength in the joints generally points to larger limb members, whereas compa@@ness is often a desired goal in small toy figures.

The present invention proposes improvements particularly to the joint @rrangements used in such miniaturized toy figures.

The Invention is restricted to the field of toy figures, and in particular addresses problems associated with miniature toy figures which are, for exampte, around or ellghtly larger than three inches high.

OF THE According to the present invention, there is provided an articulated toy figure comprising a plurality of body parts each operatively adapted to be adjoined one to another by a ball-socket joint arrangement, each bait-socket joint arrangement having a ball portion protruding from a region of a body, nd also having a corresponding socket portion located in an adjoining body part, the ball portion having a knob supported on a shaft, the socket portion having a socket which rotatably receives the knob,

wherein, in one or more of the bait-socket joint arrangements, the socket portion is provided with a contoured cavity arrangement having the socket in its lnterior, the contoured cavity arrangement limiting the extent of movement of the shaft therewith ! n.

In one preferred embodiment of the Invention, for one or more of the ball- socket joint arrangements, a rotation-guard is provided proximate the region of the body part from which the ball portion protrudes, the rotation-guard also limiting the extent of movement of the shaft within the contoured cavity arrangement ; each contoured cavity arrangement and rotation-guard, Individually or In combination, enabling the bait-secret joint arrangement to largely replicate the movement of such a joint in a corresponding live figure.

Preferably, the rotation-guard comprises a protrusion of the body part from which the ball portion protrudes, the protrusion hindering the rotation of the adjo@ning body part.

Preferably, the rotation-guard is integral and formed of the same material as the body part from which it protrudes.

Preferably, the rotation-guard comprises a protruslon that protrudes from the ÇJK part generally in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

Preferably, one of the rotation guards is located at a joint which p, i 6 ! One of the rotation guards may be located at a joint which corresponds to an Preferably, the contoured cavity arrangement includes contoured side walls which define the extent of movement of the shaft therewithin, the shaft being adapted to rotate within the confines of the side walls of the cavity arrangement.

In one or more of the ball-socket joint arrangements, the side walls may be non-symmetrical, In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the side walls of the contoured cavity arrangement define an opening leading to the socket the opening allowing movement of the stem therein with a greater degree of freedom

of movement in generally a first direction than in a second direction which Is transverse to the first direction.

Preferably, the knob is-detachably connectable to the corresponding socket portion.

Preferably, in the ball portion, the ratio of the ball diameter to the shaft diameter is around 1. 36.

Preferably, the toy figure when standing upright is around three inches high.

Preferably, the toy figure when standing upright is at least three inches high.

In an embodiment of the invention, the ball diameter is 0. 05 to Q. 08 mm larger than the socket diameter to provide interference suitable for achieving longevity of stability in the articulations. ouf intis limb, the lower limb being larger than the upper limb to enable to the center of gravity to be positioned closed to the lower portion of the overall leg.

Preferably, each of the arms of the toy figure has a lower and upper limb, <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> the lower limb being larger than the upper limb to enable to the center of gravity<BR> to be positioned closed to the lower portion of the overall arm.Preferably, the ankle of the toy figure has a ball portion wherein the stem'is arranged substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tower leg. body part.

Preferably, the ball portion protruding from the ankle is connected to the side of a body part corresponding to a foot.

Preferably, the toy figure is provided with bait-socket joint arrangements in the ankle, kness, hlps, torso, shoulders, elbows and neck.

Preferably, the toy figure is provided with ball-socket joint arrangements in all of its joints, preferably numbering fourteen In total.

Preferably, the weight of the'leg portions of the toy figure are substantially the same as the remaining parts of the figure to achieve a degree of balanceability of the toy.

In an embodiment of the invention, in one or more of the ball-socket joint arrangements, the socket is located at one end of an elongated body part, the

socket portion being adapted to receive the knob into the socket through an opening In a lateral side of the elongated body part.

Preferably, the toy Is human-tike or animal like.

According to another aspect of the invention, there Is provided a ball- socket joint arrangement operative adapted to Join a plurality of body parts to form an articulated toy figure, the ball-socket joint arrangement having a ball portion protruding from a region of a body part and also having a corresponding socket portion located in an adjoining body part, the ball portion having a knob supported on a shaft, the socket portion having a socket which rotatably recelves the knob, wherein, ! n one or more of the bait-socket joint arrangements, the socket portion is provided with a contoured cavity arrangement having the sockat in its Interior, the contoured cavity arrangement limiting the extent of movement of the Mory ra According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided an ankle socket as deDRAWINGS In order that the present invention might be more fully understood, embodiments of the invention will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a plurality of body part5 adjoined together to form an articulated toy figure in accordance with an embodiment of the lnvenijon ; Figures 2A to 2D illustrate the range of movement posslble In the upper arms of the toy figure of Figure 1 : Figures 3A to3G illustrate t. lze range of movements possible for the lower forearms of the same toy figure of Figure 1; Figures 4A to 4C illustrates the range of movement possible for the knee joints of the same toy figure ; Figures 6A to CE illustrate the range of movements possible for the ankle joints of the same toy figure of Figure 1;

Figure 6 illustrates the critical ratio of shaft diameter to ball diameter of the ball-socket joint arrangements used in the toy figure of Figure 1 (the written description accurately describes the embodiment, and the drawing is given ; Figures 7A and B are cross-sectional views of the anlde joint of the figure of Figure 1, while Figures 7C to 7E are side views of the feet of the toy figure ; Figures SA and B show the extremes of movement possible for the knee joint of the toy figure of Figure 1 ; Figure 8 shows a front cross-sectional view of the knee joint of Figures sA and B ; Figures A to C illustrate side and front views of the hip joints of the toy figure, with Figure 9C being a cross-sectional view, Figure 10A is a cross-sectional view which illustrates the range of movement possible for the torso joint of the toy figure; Figures 10B and 10C are cross-sectional viewe which illustrate a range of movement possible for the shoulder joints of the toy figure; Figures 11A and B illustrate cross-sectional views of the range of movement possible in the forearm of the toy figure; Figures 11C to 11D illustrate the range of movement possible in the wrist joint of the toy figure; and Figures 12A to 12D illustrate the range of movements possible in the neck joint of the toy figure.

In tht drawing om compnent thare cxmon re nx $numerals, such as common reference numeral for the ball, shaft, side walls and contoured cavities, but it is understood that the dimensions and shapes of ea each joint varies with each joint The common reference numerals are meaty for the sake of ease of understanding the description.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 illustrates an exploded perspective view of various components of an embodiment of an articulated toy figure 1000.

In this example, the toy figure represents a human.

The toy figure 1000 comprises a plurality of body parts, each operatively adapted to be adjoined one to another by a ball-sooket joint arrangement 25.

Seamless articulation is provided by the use of ball and socket joint arrangements 25 for each joint of the toy figure 1000.

The embodiment of the toy figure 1000 is able to simulate the extent of movement or articulation to a corresponding live form that the toy figure 1000 seeks to represents. These life, forms may Include human figures, dinosaur, robotic creatures or mythical creatures. To simulate lifte-fié limb articulations, the embodiment of the toy figure 1000 has a large number of joints sufficient to emulate that of a life form. In the embodiment, the toy figure 1000 has at least fourteen ball-socket joints 25. The fourteen joints are found at the neck 110, shoulders 120L, 120R, elbows 130L, 130R, wrist 140R, 140L, upper torso 15Q, lower torso or hips 160R, 160L, knees 170R, 170L, and ankles 180R, 180L (The letters L and R refer to left and right orientation).

When using such a large number of joints in a toy figure 1000 of such small size, rigid figure with limbe large enough to contain socket joints within the limb members points to the need for larger joints. On the other hand, the opposing limitation is to keep the limb dimensione within the bounds of life-likenese.

The embodiment of the toy figure 1000 is around three inches high, and overcomes problems assoclated with creaing an articulated life-like toy figure of the size.

In Figure 1, the toy figure 1000 comprises a head 100, an upper torso 200, a lower torso 600 having a rear end 610, upper arms 300L, 300R, lower forearms 400L, 400R, hands 500L, 500R, upper legs or thighs E gpL, 700R, lower legs or calves 800L, 800R and feet 900L, 900R.

In the embodiment all of the joints are made up of bau-socket joints 25.

Each ball-socket joint arrangement has a ball portion'10. In the embodiment, all of the ball portions of the toy figure 1000 are identical to enable interchangeabiln of the various body parts, if desired by the user.

The ball portion 10 comprises a knob or ball 20 supported on a stem or shaft 30. The ball 20 and shaft 30 of each of the ball poilons Is best seen In some of the cross-sectional views in Figures 7 onwards.

Each ball-socket jolnt arrangement 25 has a bail portion 10 which protrudes from a region of one of the body pans. The bait-socket joint

arrangement 25 also has a corresponding socket portion 15 which Is located in an adjoining body part. The ball portion 10 and the socket portion 15 connect together in a ball-socket manner to provide the adjoining parts with varying degrees of relative rotational movement.

The socket portion 15 has a socket 40 which recedes the ball 20. The ball 20 is detachably connected to the socket 40.

In one or more of the ball-socket joint arrangements, the socket portion 15 is provided with a contoured cavity arrangement 50 having the socket 40 In its interior. The contoured cavity arrangement 50 limits the extent of movement of the shaft 30 within the cavity 60. The Inner shape of examples of contoured cavity arrangements of different Joints are best seen in some of the cmsa- sectionai views in Figures 7 onwards.

This limitation of movement is achieved because the contoured cavity 50 has side walls 51 which define the extent of movement for the shaft 30 within the <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> coq.<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> in one or morve of the socket arrangements, the side walls 51 of the<BR> cavity 50.<BR> <P> In one or more of the socket arrangements, the side walls 51 of the contoured cavity arrangement 50 define an opening leading to the socket 40.

The opening allows movement of the shaft 30 therein with a greater degres of <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> ico dom of movement in generally a first direction than in a second direction which is tran@verse to the first direction. For instance, in Figures @A and @B, the opening allows a greater degree of movement in a general vertical plane, whereas there is considerably less fr om to move side to side.

Throughout the drawings, the side walls are numbered as 51 merely for the of of ease of understanding, however, it is appreciated that each of the contours of the cavities 50 in the various joints of re erent lhe difference in each contoured cavity 50 of each joint is necessary so as to provide a different range of movement in order to simulate the variety of movement found in the human body.

In one or more of the body parts In the embodiment, the socket 40 is located at one end of an elongated body part The socket portion 15 Is adapted to receive the ball 20 Into the socket 40 through an opening in a lateral side of the elongated body part, rather than entering the socket 40 In a direction which! s in line with the axis of the elongated body part. However, in other modifications, the

ball 20 can be made to enter the socket 40 In a direction which is In line with the axis of the elongated body part, provided the designer is convinced that such a modification would be beneficial to achieve either a greater degree of realism, flexibility, balan abillty, or other such benefits including those mentioned in this specification.

Figures 2 to 5 show examples of the range of possible movement which simulate human-likeness because of the shape of the contoured cavities 50.

Figures 2A to 2D illustrate the range of movements which are possible for the upper arms 300L, 300R of the toy figure 1000.

In Figure 2A, the opening of the contoured cavity §0 is oriented upwards (shown at the shoulder of upper arm 300L) which enables the upper arm 300 to have a range of movement of 90° in the x-y plane (as shown by the curved arrow A shown in relation to right upper arm 300R).

When the upper arm 300L is rotated 1@0°, about the shoulder joint 120L as shown in Figure 2B, the opening of the contoured cavity 50 now faces downwards which enakh s e upper arm 300R, 300L to move up and down through a range of movement of 90° in the x-y plane, as shown by arrow B in Figure 2B.

The shape of the contoured cavity 50 also enables the upper arme 300 to rotate around a range of 360° about the shoulder join 120 in the y-z plane, sa <BR> <BR> <BR> chown in the side view of Figure 20 (similar to a person rotating their arme li@@@ a windmill).

In the plan drawing of Figure 2lez the opening of the contoured cavity 50 is oriented upwards for left upper arm 300L and oriented downward for ngnt upper arm 30que. This means that the left arm 300L can move from horizontal to upright in the x-y plane, while the right arm 300R can move from horizontal down to alongside the body also in the x-y ptane (simitar to the manner shown in Figures 2A and 28). However, In this orientation, the arms 300 cannot rotate forwards in the x-z plane. In order to move the arms 300 forwards in the x-z plane, the openings of the contoured cavity 50 would have to be rotated on shoulder joint 120 to face forwards.

Figures 3A to 3C illustrate how the shape of the contoured cavities 50 enable a vanety of movements in the forearms 400L Each contoured cavity 50

has a socket 40 In its Interior. This enables 360° axial rotation in the x-z plane, such as seen In the left forearm 400L in Figure 3A.

In the embodiment, the forearm member 400 Is the only body part to contain two socket portions 15, hence the forearms 400 are designed to be thicker than the upper arms 300 to maintain strudural strength around the elbow and wrist sockets 130 and 140. in Figure 3A, the socket 40 in the contoured cavity 60 also enables 360" rotation in the x-z ptane, such as in the right forearm 400R. Of course, such movement includes a portion which is unrealistic, but a slight compromise in departing from reality is acceptable so that the components of the toy figure 1000 do not become too bulky, which would happen if various stops or extra components were to be added to avoid all unhuman-iike movement As seen in the right forearm 400L in Figure 3A, the opening of the contoured cavity 50 la oriented on the front-facing part of the elbow joint 130L.

Specifically, the rear-facing portion of the elbow joint 130L is not provided with an opening. In other words, the contoured cavity 50 of the elbow joint 130L has side walls 51 which are closed at the back end while being open at the front-facing end. This arrangement enables the forearm 400L to move up and down in the x-y plane as chown in Figure 3C, but not rearwards which would be unrealistic.

The shape of the contoured cavities 50 is unique for each joint in the toy figure 1000, since it is intended to simulate, as closely as possible, the range andlimitation of human movement. In particular, the variation in each contoured cavity 50 is achieved by varying the location of openings in the side walls 51. For Instanx, In Figure 9SA and 11ES, an opening In a side wall 51 enables the shaft 30 to move in the opening. Thus, in Figure HA, the biasing of the opening enables the forearm 400 to move forward, but not rearward (comparing Figures 11A and 116). The openings in the sides of the contoured cavities 50 are the result of the absence of such side walls 51 in those parts of the cavity 50.

In Figure 12, biasing of the contoured cavity 50 is apparent as it allows movement in the x-y plane of 30"from the vertical axis on both sides of the axis (as seen in Figures 12A, 12B and 12C), and 60"both sides from the vertical axis in the y-z plane.

Thus, in one or more of the bait-socket joint arrangements 25, the side wells 51 of the contoured cavities 50 are not symmetrical, since the openings In the side watts will vary in order to simulate the range of human movement Moreover, the angle or inclination of the side walls 51 of the contoured cavities 50 will also vary. to achieve larger or smaller openings.

Having non-symmetrical openings in the sides of the contoured cavity 50 limits the movement of one of the limbs with a bias towards one direction over another. For example, in Figures 11A and 11B, there is a bias towards forward movement of the forearm 400, since this simulates the action of a human forearm.

It is desirable, sometimes, to compromise the level of realism, particularty where achleving 100% realism would be detrimental to the compactness of the toy. Hence, for each joint a decision must be made as to what degree of realism it required to retain the overall compactnese of the toy figure 100.

The shape of the contoured cavities 50 of each joint should at least enable a user to arrange the various body parts into an overall configuration which can simulate the human body, In other words, it is not necessary that the toy figure 1000 be blocked from all unnatural position, but merely that it be capable of achieving all natural positions.

As seen in Figure 3, the forearms 400 are larger than the upper arms 300.

This is to enable the center of gravity of the arm to be located closer to the lower part of the arm. This exaggerated size of the lower part of the arm, for providing a lower center of gravity, also seen In the leg portiona bf tfie toy figure 1000. In Figure 5, the lower leg portions 600 are larger than the upper leg portions 700.

The lower location of the center of gravity provides the toy figure 1000 with a greater degree of stability when standing.

Furthermore, to enhance stability, the feet 900-are also oversized. Thus, as seen In Figure 5, there is an increase In the size of limbs and body parts leading towards the bottom of the toy figure 1000. This gradual limb-size increase towards the bottom of the toy provides a lower center of gravity which enhances stabllity in the standing posiffon of the toy figure 1000.

Figure 11A shows a cross-sectional view. of the contoured cavities 50 of the lower forearm 400.

Figures 11A and 11B show show the shape of the contoured cavities 50 influence the extremes of the range of movement afforded by the ball-socket joint 25 about the elbow joint 130. In, Figures 11A and 11B, the side walls 51 of the contoured cavity 50 limit the range of movement of the shaft 30 within the contoured cavity 50. The movement of the shaft 30 within the contoured cavity 50 defines the range of movement of the tower forearm 400.

Figures 11C to 11 D show how the side walls 51 of the contoured cavity 50 of the wrist Joints 140 define the range of possib ! e movements for the hand 500 with respect to the lower forearm 400.

Figures 4, 5, 7, 8 and 9A to C illustrate examples of the range of possible movements of the legs and feet 700, 800, 900. Once again, In the ankle 70 and knee joints 170 and 180, it is the shape of the side walls 51 of contoured cavities 50 which determine and limit the range of movements of the shafts 30 of the ball portions 20 of the joints.

Feet and AAs seen in Figures 5A to E and Figures 7A to E, the ankle joints 180 provide the feet 900 with a range of realistic movements.

In Figures 7A and 7B, it is important that the shaft 30 of the ankle joint 180 is arranged substantially or exactly perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the lower leg 900.

The that result if the shaft 30 were to point downwards in line with the longitudinal axis of the leg 800, as found in the prior art. Here, the extreme rotation of Figure 5D utuld not be as readily achieved. Therefore, toy figures in the prior art which have the shafts of the ankle joints pointing vertically downwards (rather than perpendicular) cannot achieve a prone or kneeling posfflon which requires the extreme pointing of the feet 900 as In Figure 5D and 70*.

Another advantage of the perpendicular orientation of the shaft 30 at the ankle joint 180 of the present embodiment is that it increases the stability of the. toy figure 1000. When the toy figure 1000 is standing astride with the feet 900 slightly parted, it Is evident from Figure 7B that the shaft 30 rests on or Is close to the lower side wall 51. Thus, when the toy figure 1000 stands, the perpendicular shaft 30 in Figure 7B Is at or is dose to its limit of rotation, In contrast, when the

ankle shaft in the prior art Is arranged vertically (rather than perpendiculady) the shaft has a considerable range of movement all around when the toy figure stands. Thus, when such prior art toy figures stand, there Is greater potential of movement in the ankle joints compared to the ankle joint 180 of the present embodiment. Thus, the present embodiment is inherently more stable In its ankle joints 180 than prior art inventions In which the ankle shafts are arranged in line with the longitudinal axis of the lower leg 800.

Rotation Guards For one or more of the ball-socket @ joint arrangements 25, a rotation-guard is provided. In the embodiment, the rotation-guard performs a similar function to the contoured cavity 50 by limiting the extent of movement of the shaft 30. An example of a rotation-guard is seen in the overhanging portion 752 for instance in Figures 1, 4B, 4C and Figures 8A and 8B. <BR> <BR> <BR> <P> In Figure 8A and 8B, it is evident that the side walls 51 of the contoured<BR> cavity 50 decavity 50. The cross-sectional views of Figures 8A and 8B show that the side walls 51 define a range of movement of around 100° in roughly a vertical plane.

However, the cross-sectional front view of Figure 8C shows that the width or distance between the side walls 51 provide a narrower rear-facing opening. This narrower rear opening limits the side to side movement of the lower leg 800L.

This simulates a human lower leg which has considerable freedom of rearwards movement in a vertical plane, but significantly less side to side movement In addition to the freedom of movement of the shaf Q being limited by he side walls 51, the movement of the sh aft 30 is also limited by the rotation guards In the form of the overhanging portion 752. As seen in Figure 8A, when the shat 30 abuts the upright inner wall 5 the projecting portion 752 on the upper leg 700L also abuts an upper surface of the lower leg 80QL. Thus, the projection 752 works in combinaüon with the upright side wall 51 to limit the forward rotational movement of the knee Joint 170L shown in Figure 8.

This sharing of the load between the rotation guards in the form of the projection 752 on the upper leg 700L, and the upright inner side wall 51 of the lower leg 800L, allows the stress in the knes joint 170L to be shared, rather than

carried by one. If not for the presence of the rotation guards in the form of the projection 752, the entire stress or load would be carried by the shaft 30.

The rotation guard In the form of projection 752 is provided proximate the region of the upper leg 700 from which the ball portion 10 protrudes.

In knee joint 170 in Figure 8, it is the combination of the projection 752 on the upper leg 700 and the upright inner wall 51 of the contoured cavity 50 which together limit the movement of the shaft 30. Thus, both these components work together to simulate the extent of movement in a live figure.

In the knee joint 170 in Figure 8, the rotation-guard Is in the form of a protrusion 762 that protrudes from a lower part of the upper leg 700 generally In the direction of the longitudinal axis of the shaft 30. In other words, In Figure SA, the shaft 30 points downwards, and so does the rotation guards in the form of the projection 752. This'ensures that, at some stage in the rotation of, the <BR> <BR> <BR> 8 800, tation guards in the form of the projection 752 will abut the low<BR> 800, the rotation guarde in the form of the projection 752 will abut the lower leg performing,.

800L at some point in its rotational movement to prevent further rotation, thus performing Another its role as a rotation-guard.Figure 7A, the extent of rotation of the shaft 30 within the contoured cavity 50 is limited by the side walls 51. However, in Figure 7B, when the shaft 30 is resting on the lower inner wall 51, the rotation guards in the form of the projection 852rests within a cut-away portion 52. Thus, in Figure 7B, the stress in the ankle joint 180 iS s. hared by the shaft and e ro arMs ro 6on 852. This ensures that the shaft 30 is not required to bear the entire load.

In Figure 7A, the rotation-guard, in the form of rotation guards in the form of the projection 8S, protrudes from the lower end of the lower leg 800L. In this case, however, the rotation guards in the form of the projection 852 projects in a direction perpendistar to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 30.

Thus, the presence of rotation-guards in the knee 170 and ankle joints 180 -which are most important for keeping stability in a standing toy-ensures that stresses these joints are not borne solely by the narrow shaft 30. The overhanging portion 752 in the knee joint 170, in particular, is well suited for load bearing, since it is located in a thlck portion of the upper leg 700, and can therefore withstand greater amounts of stress than would the narrower shaft 30.

It is advantageous that the rotation guards in the form of the overhanging portions 762 and 852 In Figures 4 and 7 respectively are integral and made. of the same material as the body part from which each protrudes. For instance, the overhanging portion 752'is integral and made of the same material as upper lea 700L, while projection 852 is integral and made of the same material as lower leg portion 800L. This integrity of material ensures that the rotation-guards are stronger than if the rotation guard were to be an affixed component, since. the joining of different materials may create a region of weakness, such as the affixed lips 82 in United States Patent No. 4, 790, 789 (Matis).

Another example of a rotation-guard is seen in Figures 11A and 11B. The extent of rotation of the forearm 400L Is limited by the inner wall su 51 of the contoured cavities 50. In Figure the extent of rotation is also limited by the rotation guards in the form of the lower edge 352 of the upper arm 300, Thus, in Figure 11A, the stress in the elbow joint 130, which derives from limiting the rotation of the foream 400L, is shared by the combination of the upright inner wall 51 of the elbow joint 130L, and by the lower edge 352 of the upper arm 300L.

Thus the location of the lower edge 352 is intentionally arranged and dimensioned so as to block the rotation of the forearm 400L. hum Figure 11A, the extent of rotation has been limited to 90°, whereas in a human elbow the range of rotation is around 160°. However, realiem in the elbow low 130 is considered acceptable since, if the rotation guards in the form of the tower edge 362 were to be further distanced from the elbow joint 130L to provide greater rotation, the strength of the elbow joint 130L would be compromised.

In Figure 11A, the rotation guards in the form of the overhanging portion 352 limits the upward movement of the forearm 400L, however, the forearm 400L is still free to rotate 360° around the shaft 30 of the elbow joint 130L, as seen in forearm 400L In Figure 3A.

In Figure 10, which Illustrates the shoulder joints 120, there is no rotation- guard since shoulder Joints 120 have a considerable degree of rotation freedom, and there is no need to limitahe rotat (on for this joint

Ball Shaft Ratio Figure SA shows a side view of a ball portion 10 comprising a ball 20 on a stem or shaft 30. Figure 6B shows a perspective view of the same ball portion of Figure 6A.

The ratio of the ball diameter to the shaft diameter is important in the. present embodiment.

In order to achieve a miniaturized articulated toy figure, the ratio of the ball diameter to shaft diameter (also referred to as a knob diameter to stem diameter) should be around 1. 38. In the example of Figure 6, the diameter of the ball 20 Is 3. 4mm while the diameter of the shaft 30 is 2.5mm. Therefore, the ball dia to shaft diameter ratio is 1.36.

In the drawings, the dimensions, and hence the ratio, may not be drawn to scale, but the intended ratio of ball diameter to shaft diameter is 1.36, which has been found to be critical to produce a miniaturized toy figune around 3 inches ht2óX.

This ratio of 136 is critical because, ! n a miniaturized toy around 3 inches hlgh, a ft diameter of much less than 2.5mm would cause the shaft 30 to become susceptible to breakage. Furthermore, if the ball diameter were to be made much smaller than 3.4mm, the range of movement of the limbe would be reduced, thus detracting from the life-likeness of the toy figure 1000.

Altematively, if the ball diameter were increased while keeping the shaft diameter at 2.5mm (i.e. larger ratio), the larger ball size would require the toy to thé thicker limbs since the corresponding socket 40 is contained entirely within Xe body hence a larger ball diameter would require a larger socket 40, and hence a larger limb size.

Thus, a ball diameter to shaft diameter ratio of 1. 36 is required to produce a life-like toy figure of around 3 inches In height, having life-liofe artioulatlon of limbs.

Also, if the ball diameter becomes much larger than the shaft diameter, this would. place excessive stress on the shaft 30, which could lead to greater tendency for failure.

High durability of the ball shat is achieved. by employing a critlcal ball to shaft ratio of 1. 36, this ratio being relevant for toys sized 3 inch and above. lnterchan, geabftlty of parts In the ball-socket joints 25, the diameter of the balls 20 ia slighfi lat than the diameter of the socket 40. The balls 20 are snapped-fitted into the sockets 40. The socket opening deforms when the ball 20 is pushed into the socket 40 by virtue of the inherent resilience of the material, for example, solid acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) material which is used fbr the embodiment.

In the prior art, the diameter of the ball is +0. 2 mm larger thathe socRet This size difference causes a degree of interference when the iiait is snap-fitted.

Where the interference is high, the ball will be very tightly fit In the socket, and the toy will lose its ease in manipulating the joints. The present embodiment uses a smaller degree of interference, where the ball diameter is around +0.05mm to +0. 08mm greater than the socket diameter. Accordingly, a tight fit of the joints is achieved which maintains stability of posture, while the freedom of joint articulation is not compromised. In this way, the toy figure 1000 is able to adopt and maintain any arbitrary and manually manipulated posture for indefinite periods of time.

Balanceability The design of the limbs into account the overall center of gravity of the toy in order to create a highly balanceable toy. This balanceability is achieved <BR> <BR> <BR> $ha @@@ of the even weight distribution of the toy figure 1000. The size and shape of the limbs are such that the legs are not significantly heavier in comparison with the other parts of the body. This weight distribution enables a of of balanceability of the toy figure 1000 such that it is able to balance on any one limb, i.e. a one-hand-stand.

When the toy figure 1000 is standing on its feet 900, the above distribution of weight ensures a high degree of balanceability with a particularly low center of gravity. The toy figure 1000 is thus able to maintain a standing posture for considerable periods of time without overbalancing.

In the present embodiment, the ball portions 10 are built into or are part of the limb members. In other words, there is no need for a further component other than the adjoining limb parts. The fact that realistic articulation Is achieved solely by parts found on the two adjoining limbs means that the extemal components

are not required, such as the separate joints found in prior United States patent no. 6, 033, 284 (Rodriguez Fette).

In the embodiment, since all of the balls 20 in the ball-socket joints 25. are of the same dimension, the user is able to interchange the various limbs, and to join any part to another body part, if the user so happens to desire to create a non-realistic figure.

In this specification, for the sake of ease of understanding, the words- upper, lower, front, rear, back, side, top, bottom, right, ! eft, vertical, horizontat- each relate to the toy figure 1000 with reference to a body when It is upright, and are used in this manner even when the toy is not standing upright. In general, the terms are used in this specification in a similar manner as would be used to describe human body parts. Thus, for example, the terms upper arm and tower arm do not imply that the toy figure must necessarlly be in an upright crientation.

The embodiment has been described with reference to a human-like toy, ut othsr embodirnene, s can relate to toys of animal-like or non-humanlike fantasy creatures.

The embodiments have been described by way of example only, and modifications are possible within the scope of the invention as defined by the th The invention is restricted to addressing the need for creating an articulated hence the invention has no relevance to applications outside the application of toy figures. Non-toy applications will thus n ot fall within the scope of the appended claims, which are limited to toy figures.

The toy figure 1000 is preferably made of a suitable plastic. but may also be made of wood, vinyl, ABS-20, metal, die-cast metal, PVC and other suitable materiat, provided thai the material used for the bati-socket joints 25 provide sufficient grip.

The : length and extemal shape/oontours of the limbs can be modified, but experimentation would be required to ensure that overall balanceabRity is maintained. For instance, the toy could be given more muscles by having more rounded limbs.

The internal shape of the socket 40, the contoured cavity 50 and its side walls 51 might be modified within the scope of the invention. For instance, in the present embodiment, the intemal surface of the socket 40 is completely and fully spherical. in other modifications, perhaps parts of the spherical regions might be removed or cut away, leaving sufficient parts of the spherical region remaining to provide the bare minimum function of the ball-socket joint 25. The form of cutting- away parts of the spherical inner region of the socket 40 might even add a degree of friction that is beneficial to the gripplng of the ball 20 within the socket 40.

The socket 40 may be modS In other ways, provided that there remains at least the minimum amount of spherical surface portion required to provide the function of a ball-socket arrangement 25.

The surface of the ball 20 might be roughened to provide a greater degree of grip or friction between the ball 20 and the socket 40.

Some or all of the body partz may be made hollow or have holes drilled in them for visual effect.

Other variations can include non-human-like figures having more than four main limbs, or each main limb can have more than two parts, such as a multi- <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> armed <BR> splidscope of the invention provided there is use of the features, particularly the ball- socket arrangements 25, defined in the appended claims.

In other modifications, the ball-socket joints 26 might not be shap fitted, but may be pre-assembled in a factory, and may not be disassembled by the user.

These pre-assembled figures could include complex shapes and 5murez having a pluralk.-of, arms and joints.

The sockets 40 and the balls 20 in the embodiments are made of the same matenal, but other modifications may have the scckeis 40 and balls 20 made of different material. Thus, adjoining limbs may need to be made of different materials to take advantage of advantageous characteristics of different materials being used for the sockets 40 and balls 20.

The invention In Its broadest aspect Is not limited to the configurations shown in the diagrams . For instance, in modifications, the location of the ball portions 10 and the socket portions 15 might be swapped around compared to the diagrams. For instance, in the diagrams, the preferred, embodiment has the

shoulder joint 120 having a ball portion 10 projecting oit of the upper torso 200, whereas In other modifications it is conceivable that the ball pochon 10 may project from the end of the upper arm 300, with the socket 40 being in the upper torso portion 200.

In terms of the ball diameter to shaft diameter, it may be possible for competitors to produce toy figures with ratios slightly different from the preferred ratio of 1. 38, provided that such, modifications fall within the scope of the appended claims, although the ratio of 1. 36 Is much to be preferred when constructing a miniaturized toy figure of. say, about three inches high.

Toy figures le than three inches high may also incorporate the principles of the present invention particularly in terms of the construction of ball-socket joints 25, To figures of greater than thres inches may also be made, but the advantages of the present invention are particularly appreciated wh en constructing miniature toy figures, since the principles of the present invention are particularly suited to addressing one or more problems or technical difficulties associated with the construction of small scale toy figures.