US20140099857A1

US20140099857A1 - Toy Figurine with Projectiles

Info

Publication number: US20140099857A1
Application number: US13/870,067
Authority: US
Inventors: James Austin Rucker; Josiah To Sang Li
Original assignee: Mattel Inc
Current assignee: Mattel Inc
Priority date: 2012-10-04
Filing date: 2013-04-25
Publication date: 2014-04-10

Abstract

A toy figurine with projectiles is disclosed. The figurine includes a torso, at least one appendage, and at least one projectile launchable from the figurine. The projectile launches directly from the torso and away from the toy figurine. The projectile is resilient, such that movement in a first direction creates energy to launch the projectile in a second and opposite direction. In some embodiments, the toy figurine may also include a launcher on an appendage which may provide an additional method of launching projectiles.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and is based on U.S. Patent Application No. 61/709,445, filed Oct. 4, 2012, entitled “Toy Figurine with Projectiles,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a toy figurine, and in particular, to a toy figurine that has one or more projectiles that can be launched from the toy figurine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional toy figurines, such as action figures and dolls, are used in various play environments by children. The play value of a toy figurine can be enhanced by including various features in or on the toy figurine or by using the toy in conjunction with accessories. For example, children will frequently enhance the play value of action figures by pretending the action figure has, can use, or can throw various weapons or objects. Thus, there is a need for a toy figurine with projectiles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to at least one embodiment of the present invention, a toy figurine comprises a body including a frontal plane and defining at least one aperture. The toy figurine also includes at least one resilient member insertable into the at least one aperture, the resilient member being configured to move relative to the frontal plane. More specifically, the at least one resilient member is configured to remain inserted in the at least one aperture during movement relative to the frontal plane in a first direction and is configured to exit the at least one aperture upon movement in a second direction opposite to the first direction.
In some of these embodiments, the at least one resilient member includes a tab disposed at a first end of the resilient member, the tab being insertable into the at least one aperture and configured to remain inserted during movement of the resilient member in the first direction and configured to exit the at least one aperture upon movement of the resilient member in the second direction. In yet other embodiments, each of the at least one resilient members may be an arcuate sword.
In other embodiments, each aperture further includes a rotatable member, the rotatable member being rotatable with respect to the body. The rotatable member may be rotatable about an axis that is contained within the frontal plane. In other embodiments, each resilient member is configured to exit each aperture subsequent to the rotatable member rotating through the frontal plane in the second direction.
In some embodiments, the first direction and the second direction are each angular directions, such that the resilient member is rotatable in a first and second direction about an axis included in the frontal plane.
In yet other embodiments, the body of the toy figurine includes a chest, a back disposed opposite the chest, and a shoulder section extending between the chest and the back. In such an embodiment, the apertures may be included in the shoulder section. Furthermore, in such an embodiment, the frontal plane may bisect the shoulder section such that the first direction is an angular direction about the shoulder section towards the back and the second direction is an angular direction about the shoulder section towards the chest. In some of these embodiments, each resilient member is configured to only exit each aperture subsequent to rotating through the frontal plane in the second direction.
In still other embodiments, the toy figurine also includes at least one launcher coupled to the body, each launcher including at least one extendable member and each extendable member may extend, and subsequently project, from the launcher.
According to other embodiments of the present invention, a toy figurine comprises a body defining at least one aperture including a central axis and at least one resilient member insertable into the at least one aperture. The resilient member being biased in a rest position, such that movement of the at least one resilient member about the central axis in a first direction biases the resilient member to move in a second direction back towards its rest position, wherein the at least one resilient member remains inserted in the at least one aperture in the first direction and exits the at least one aperture when moving in the second direction.
In some of these embodiments, the body includes at least one appendage, and at least one extendable member, the at least one extendable member may extend, and subsequently project, from the distal end of the at least one appendage. In other embodiments, the body includes a shoulder section and the central axis extends through the shoulder section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view in perspective of an exemplary embodiment of a toy figurine with projectiles in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view in perspective of a portion of another exemplary embodiment of a toy figurine with projectiles in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view in perspective of the embodiment of FIG. 2 with one projectile being launched.

FIG. 4 is a front view in perspective of a portion of another exemplary embodiment of a toy figurine with projectiles in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a front view in perspective of the embodiment of FIG. 4 with the projectile removed.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of a launcher from the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the launcher shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the launcher shown in FIG. 6.

Like reference numerals have been used to identify like elements throughout this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring generally to FIGS. 1-8, a toy figurine with projectiles, or portions thereof, are shown. Generally, a toy figurine with projectiles is a toy figurine with a torso, at least one appendage, and at least one launchable projectile. The at least one launchable projectile is launchable from the torso of the toy figurine. In some embodiments, a toy figurine with projectiles may include two types of projectiles, some projectiles being launchable from the torso of the toy figurine and other projectiles being launchable from a launcher included or mounted on an appendage of the figure.
Referring specifically to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a toy figurine 10 is shown. Figurine 10 includes a body 100 with a torso 110 and any desirable number of appendages 180 attached thereto. For example, in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, body 100 includes two arms and two legs as appendages 180. The toy figurine 10 shown in FIG. 1 also includes a head and various indicia such that the toy figurine appears to be a humanoid-type figure. Additionally, toy figurine 10 also includes at least one projectile 300 and launchers 200 that may launch additional projectiles 240. Each of the launchers 200 may be coupled to an appendage 180, such that projectiles 240 are launched from appendages 180. By comparison, projectiles 300 may be removably coupled to and, thus, launched from torso 110. For clarity, projectiles 300 may also be referred to as torso projectiles, resilient members, swords, or resilient swords 300 while projectiles 240 may be referred to as appendage projectiles, claws, or darts 240. In the exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-3, toy figurine 10 includes two launchers 200 and two resilient swords 300.
Now referring to FIGS. 2-3, each of these drawings depicts an exemplary torso 110. Torso 110 includes a front or chest 112 and a back or rear 114 formed integrally or connected, either directly or via side and/or bottom pieces or portions, such that chest 112 and back 114, together with a top or shoulder portion 120, form torso 110. Torso 110 may be hollow or solid and may, as shown in FIG. 2, include openings or detents 130 to receive at least one appendage 180. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 2-3, torso 110 includes two openings 130 on each of its sides, one disposed proximate to top 120 and one disposed at the opposite end of torso 110. Thus in the depicted exemplary embodiment, the top and bottom openings 130 may serve as shoulder and hip sockets, respectively.
Still referring to FIGS. 2-3, two geometric references, an axis 142 (FIG. 2) and a plane 140 (FIG. 3), extending through torso 110 are shown. Plane 140 is a substantially vertical plane that bisects torso 110 into a front half and a back half. More specifically, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2-3, where figurine 10 is a hominoid, plane 140 is the mid-frontal plane of torso 110. By definition, the mid-frontal plane is substantially perpendicular to the mid-sagittal plane, the mid-sagittal plane being defined as a vertical plane which divides a torso into a left half and a right half. Axis 142 is contained within plane 140 and extends perpendicularly to the mid-sagittal plane, like plane 140. Thus, axis 142 may alternatively be referred to as a frontal axis. It should be understood that while axis 142 and plane 140 are depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3, respectively, these features are not physical features but, instead, are merely geometric references included for reference and clarity.
Briefly referring to FIG. 3, projectile or resilient member 300 is shown removed from torso 110. Although projectiles 300 are depicted as a two crescent-shaped swords or weapons, it is to be understood that projectiles 300 may be any desirable projectile that is launchable from torso 110 in the manner described herein. Furthermore, it is to be understood that projectiles 300 may be individually or jointly launchable projectiles. In some embodiments, such as the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2-3, resilient member 300 includes a tab or insert 302. In embodiments where resilient member 300 includes a tab 302, tab 302 may be configured to fit within, interface with, or be removably coupled to opening 122 or rotatable member 124.
Now referring again to FIGS. 2-3, in some embodiments, torso 110 includes openings or apertures 122 in the shoulder section 120 that may be configured to receive a resilient member 300, perhaps via tab 302. Alternatively, openings 122 may be configured to support an assembly or part which may receive a resilient member 300. For example, in some embodiments, figurine 10 may include at least one rotatable member 124 that can rotate, about an axis, such as axis 142, into and out of an opening 122. In some embodiments, rotating member 124 may be fixed on a pin or joint that is collinear with axis 142 and may also be partially disposed within opening 122, such that it may be prevented from rotating past a certain point when it contacts torso 110.
In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2-3, the torso 110 includes two openings 122, each including a rotatable member 124 disposed within the opening 122. In this embodiment, the rotating member 142 may be rotated into opening 122 and then tabs 302 of resilient members 300 may be inserted into openings 122 so that tabs 302 sit atop of rotating members 124. In other embodiments, and as will be described below with respect to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 4-5, opening 122 may include a rotatable member 124 that can receive a resilient member 300. In still further embodiments, resilient members 300 may be received directly within opening 122. When the resilient members 300 are received within openings 122, regardless of whether they are received directly or via rotatable members 124, resilient members 300 may encircle shoulder portion 120 and rest on the back 114 of torso 110, as seen in FIG. 2. This position may be referred to as a loaded position.
Now referring to FIG. 3, with continued reference to FIG. 2, the torso 110 of FIG. 3 is shown with the rotatable member 124 rotated out of the aperture 122 and disposed in a forward position. In this embodiment, the rotatable member 124 is substantially vertical when in its forward position, but, in other embodiments, rotatable member 124 may be free to rotate further about axis 142, such as in direction B, and the position where rotatable member 124 is rotated furthest in direction B may referred to as the forward or rest position. Also shown in FIG. 3 is biasing member 116. Biasing member 116 may be any desirable object or item that might bias rotatable member 124 and/or resilient members 300 in a certain position, such as a rest position or a forward position. For example, biasing member 116 may be a torsion spring, a torsion bar, a coil spring, an elastic binder, derivatives or equivalents thereof, or combinations thereof.
Referring again to both FIGS. 2 and 3, the features described above may enable resilient members 300 to be launched, tossed, or otherwise propelled away from torso 110 in direction C. In some embodiments, resilient members 300 may be resilient enough that simply pulling or rotating them in direction A may cause them to, upon release, launch through frontal plane 140 and away from torso 110 in direction C. However, in other embodiments, the energy and momentum produced by the resiliency of resilient members 300 may be supplemented by rotational momentum created by rotating member 124. For example, if rotating member 124 is biased in a rest position, as illustrated in FIG. 3, (i.e. by biasing member 116), moving rotating member 124 about axis 142 in direction A may create potential energy which will be released when rotating member 124 is released, causing rotating member to rotate in direction B towards its rest position. If enough energy is released, as the member 124 rotates from its loaded position towards its forward position, projectile 300 is launched forward in direction C.
Turning to FIGS. 4-5, a portion of another exemplary embodiment of a toy figurine with projectiles is shown. Figurine 10′ is substantially similar to figurine 10, inasmuch as it includes a torso 110′ with a front surface 112′, at least one appendage 180′, a projectile 300′, and a rotatable member 124′. However, the rotatable member 124′ of figurine 10′ may have a cavity 128′, such that rotatable member 124′ may receive a resilient member 300′ therein, as mentioned above. Due to the similarities between figurine 10 and figurine 10′ similar reference numbers are used to denote similar parts between the two embodiments.
Still referring to FIGS. 4-5, the portion of figurine 10′ that is shown includes a shoulder section 120′ with an aperture 122′ and a rotatable member 124′ that can rotate into and out of opening 122′. Rotatable member 124′ includes a cavity 128′ that is configured to removably receive an insert 302′ of a resilient member 300′. Additionally, rotatable member is rotatable about axis 142′ and biased in an upright rest position by biasing member 126′ (see FIG. 5). Thus, as described in detail above, if the rotatable member 124′ and/or the resilient member 300′ is rotated counter-clockwise about axis 142′ (i.e. in direction A from FIG. 2), it may create potential energy that, upon release, may cause the resilient member 300′ and rotating member 124′ to rotate clockwise about axis 142′ (i.e. in direction B from FIG. 3). Since resilient member 300′ is removably received within cavity 128′, the centripetal forces acting on resilient member 300′ as it quickly rotates clockwise about axis 142′ may cause resilient member 300′ to release from cavity 128′ and project away from figurine 10′, preferably forwardly away in direction C of FIG. 3.
As mentioned above, the present invention also contemplates an embodiment that does not include a biased rotating member 124, but instead where the resilient projectile 300 is inserted directly into a stationary aperture in torso 110. In this embodiment, a user can pull a projectile 300 from its resting position to its loaded position in direction A and upon release, the resiliency of the projectile 300 may cause the projectile 300 to whip forward in direction C and launch away from the torso 110.
Now referring to FIGS. 6-8, each of these figures depicts a launcher 200. Each launcher 200 includes a top 204, a bottom 206, and at least one sidewall extending therebetween. In the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIGS. 6-8, the top 204 and bottom 206 are substantially rectangular and a sidewall extends between three of the four edges of each portion, leaving an opening 220 in the front (as viewed in FIGS. 7-8) of the launcher 200 such that projectiles 240 may be removably housed or stored within launcher 200. Additionally, the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIGS. 6-8 also includes a slit 210 in one of the sidewalls which may allow projectiles 240 to be accessed from the exterior of launcher 200.
Referring specifically to FIG. 6, each launcher 200 may include a handle 208. The handle may be mounted to the underside of bottom 206, such that the handle is essentially underneath launcher 200. In some embodiments, and as shown in FIG. 8, the sidewalls of launcher 200 may extend beneath the lower surface of bottom 206 so that handle 208 may extend therebetween. Thus, there may be a gap between handle 208 and bottom 206, such that an appendage 180 may be inserted therein when a launcher 200 is mounted onto a toy figurine 10. However, in other embodiments, launcher 200 may be formed integrally with a toy figurine 10, such that an appendage 180 need not be inserted into the launcher 200 and the handle 208 may be simply ornamental to give the appearance that the toy figurine 10 is holding the launcher 200.
Now referring to FIG. 7, launcher 200 includes a slit 210 disposed on one of the sides extending between top 204 and bottom 206, preferably one of the sides adjacent to opening 220, such that a slider 216 may sit in slit 210 and move perpendicularly to opening 220. The slit 210 extends from a first end 212 to a second end 214 and parallel to top 204 and bottom 206. In at least some embodiments, slider 216 is connected or coupled to projectile/claws 240 such that as slider 216 is moved in slit 210 the claws 240 move therewith. In other embodiments, slider 216 may not be coupled to projectiles 240, but may be configured to move projectiles 240. In this embodiment, projectiles 240 are depicted as a set of three claws, however it is to be understood that projectiles 240 may be any desirable projectile or projectiles that is or are launchable from launcher 200 in the manner described herein. Furthermore, it is to be understood that projectiles 240 may be may be separately or jointly launched. For example, in the depicted embodiments of FIGS. 6-8, projectile 204 is three claws that are connected together such that claws 240 extend and launch in unison.
Turning now to FIG. 8, with continued reference to FIG. 7, FIG. 8 illustrates how projectiles 240 may move from a stored position to an extended configuration, and subsequently launch from launcher 200 when slider 216 is moved from first end 212 to second end 214. Initially, the claws 240 are stored or housed within launcher 200 in a stored or retracted position, as shown in FIG. 7, with slider 216 adjacent to first end 212. As slider 216 is moved from first end 212 towards second end 214, along direction E, claws 240 may move in the same direction until the projectiles 240 are in a fully exposed or extended configuration, as shown by the claws 240 in contact with launcher 200 in FIG. 8. Once the projectiles 240 are in a fully extended configuration, the slider 216 may be moved in direction F until slider 216 is adjacent to second end 214, which may cause projectiles 240 to be launched (via a biasing mechanism, not shown) out of and away from launcher 200 in direction D, as shown by the claws removed from launcher 200 in FIG. 8.
In some embodiments, slit 210 may include a detent, stop, tactile indication, or other such feature to alert a user when the projectiles 240 are fully extended. Alternatively, slit 210 may be stepped, angled or otherwise offset at the second end 214, such that slider 216 cannot simply be moved forward, but must be lifted or moved in a different direction in order to effectuate further movement in the same direction. For example, in FIG. 8, arrow F indicates that slider 216 must be lifted slightly upwards and forward in order to launch claws 240. Thus, at least in some embodiments, projectiles 240 may not be launched with one movement, but will first move to an extended configuration, and then, in response to a second movement, will launch.
It is to be understood that terms such as “left,” “right,” “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “side,” “height,” “length,” “width,” “upper,” “lower,” “interior,” “exterior,” “inner,” “outer” and the like as may be used herein, merely describe points or portions of reference and do not limit the present invention to any particular orientation or configuration. Additionally, the term “exemplary” is not intended to denote a preferred or more suitable embodiment, but, instead, is simply intended to mean “serving as an example.” Further, terms such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., merely identify one of a number of portions, components and/or points of reference as disclosed herein, and do not limit the present invention to any particular configuration or orientation.
Therefore, although the disclosed inventions are illustrated and described herein as embodied in one or more specific examples, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the inventions. Further, various features from one of the embodiments may be incorporated into another of the embodiments. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the invention be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

What is claimed:

1. A toy figurine comprising:

a body including a frontal plane and defining at least one aperture; and

at least one resilient member insertable into the at least one aperture and configured to move relative to the frontal plane, wherein the at least one resilient member is configured to remain inserted in the at least one aperture during movement relative to the frontal plane in a first direction and is configured to exit the at least one aperture upon movement in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

2. The toy figurine of claim 1, wherein the at least one resilient member further comprises:

a tab disposed at a first end of the resilient member, the tab being insertable into the at least one aperture and configured to remain inserted during movement of the resilient member in the first direction and configured to exit the at least one aperture upon movement of the resilient member in the second direction.

3. The toy figurine of claim 1, wherein each aperture further comprises:

a rotatable member, the rotatable member being rotatable with respect to the body.

4. The toy figurine of claim 3, wherein each rotatable member is rotatable about an axis that is contained within the frontal plane.

5. The toy figurine of claim 3, wherein each resilient member is configured to exit each aperture subsequent to the rotatable member rotating through the frontal plane in the second direction.

6. The toy figurine of claim 1, wherein the first direction and the second direction are each angular directions, such that the resilient member is rotatable in a first and second direction about an axis included in the frontal plane.

7. The toy figurine of claim 1, wherein the body further comprises:

a chest;

a back disposed opposite the chest; and

a shoulder section extending between the chest and the back, the apertures being included in the shoulder section.

8. The toy figurine of claim 7, wherein the frontal plane bisects the shoulder section, such that the first direction is an angular direction about the shoulder section towards the back and the second direction is an angular direction about the shoulder section towards the chest.

9. The toy figurine of claim 8, wherein each resilient member is configured to only exit each aperture subsequent to rotating through the frontal plane in the second direction.

10. The toy figurine of claim 1, wherein the resilient member is an arcuate sword.

11. The toy figurine of claim 1, wherein the toy figurine further comprises:

at least one launcher coupled to the body, each launcher including at least one extendable member and each extendable member may extend, and subsequently project, from the launcher.

12. A toy figurine comprising:

a body defining at least one aperture including a central axis; and

at least one resilient member insertable into the at least one aperture and biased into a rest position, such that movement of the at least one resilient member about the central axis in a first direction biases the resilient member to move in a second direction back towards its rest position, wherein the at least one resilient member remains inserted in the at least one aperture in the first direction and exits the at least one aperture when moving in the second direction.

13. The toy figurine of claim 12, wherein the body includes at least one appendage, and at least one extendable member, the at least one extendable member may extend, and subsequently project, from the distal end of the at least one appendage.

14. The toy figurine of claim 12, wherein the at least one resilient member further comprises:

15. The toy figurine of claim 12, wherein each aperture further comprises:

a rotatable member, the rotatable member being rotatable about the central axis.

16. The toy figurine of claim 12, wherein each resilient member is configured to project away from the body in the second direction after exiting the aperture.

17. The toy figurine of claim 12, wherein the body includes a shoulder section and the central axis extends through the shoulder section.

18. The toy figurine of claim 12, wherein the resilient member is an arcuate sword.