Toy action figures with manipulating stem and selectably articulatable joints

Abstract

A toy action figure comprises in combination a miniature three-dimensional model or figurine of a living creature, particularly a human being, and a manipulating stem which protrudes from the body of the figurine, the stem having an outer hand grip portion adapted to be grasped by the hand of the user. The figurine is preferably combined with a model of a vehicle, such as a bicycle or motorcycle, or a miniature model of other locomotion means such as skates, a skateboard or the like. Pairs of certain body members of the figurine, such as the pelvis and thighs, are connected by a first, loose type of joint which enables those body members to be pivoted freely with respect to one another in response to inertial forces exerted on the body members, such inertial forces including the force of gravity, when the figurine is tilted about a horizontal axis, and centrifugal force, when the figurine is spun about an arbitrary axis. Pairs of other body members of the figurine, e.g., an upper and lower arm are rigidly joined to one another or interconnected by a second, “stiff” type joint which enables the body members to be moved relative to another to a posed orientation which remain fixed while the figurine is moved in inertial space. The combination of loose and stiff joints between different pairs of body members causes the figurine to execute realistically life-like, fluid motions as the figurine is manipulated by the manipulating stem. Realistic motion is enhanced by limit stops which limit the relative angular excursion angles of certain body members otherwise freely pivotable with respect fo one another. Also, a preferred manipulating stem includes a ring-shaped portion adapted to inertially receive a person's fingertip, thereby allowing the action figurine to be orbited around the finger.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A toy action figurine including a body and 
 a. at least one pair of a first type of body members,    b. a first type joint connecting said first type of body members which enables relative movement between said first type body members in response to inertial forces exerted on said members as said figurine is moved in inertial space,    c. at least one pair of a second type of body members, and    d. a second type of joint connecting said second type of body members which maintains said second type of body members immobile in response to said inertial forces.    
     
     
         2 . The toy action figurine of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said first type joints is further defined as being of a type enabling relative angular rotation about a pivot axis between said first type body members.  
     
     
         3 . The toy action figurine of  claim 2  further including stop means for limiting said angular motion to a predetermined value.  
     
     
         4 . The toy action figurine of  claim 2  wherein at least one of said first type joints of a type enabling relative angular rotation about a pivot axis between said first type body members is further defined as having a mirror image counterpart of opposite handedness.  
     
     
         5 . The toy action figurine of  claim 4  further including stop means for limiting said angular motion of said first type of body members to a predetermined value.  
     
     
         6 . The toy action figurine of  claim 5  wherein said predetermined angular motion limit is different than an angular motion limit between said counterpart body members.  
     
     
         7 . The toy action figurine of  claim 1  further including a manipulating stem which protrudes from said body of said figurine, said manipulating stem adapted to being grasped by the hand of a user to thereby move said figurine in inertial space.  
     
     
         8 . The toy action figurine of  claim 7  wherein said manipulating stem is further defined as including a ring-shaped portion adapted to insertably receive a person's fingertip, thereby enabling said figurine to be moved orbitally around said fingertip in response to motion of said person's hand.  
     
     
         9 . The toy action figurine of  claim 7  wherein said manipulating stem is further defined as protruding from an upper surface of said body.  
     
     
         10 . The toy action figurine of  claim 7  wherein said manipulating stem is further defined as protruding from a posterior surface of said body.  
     
     
         11 . A toy action figure comprising in combination a figurine which is a model of a living creature, and model locomotion means attachable to said figurine, said figurine including, 
 a. a body,    b. at least one pair of a first type of body members,    c. at least one, first, loose type joint interconnecting said pair of first-type body members, said first type joint being of a loose type enabling relative movement between said pair of first-type body members in response to inertial forces exerted on said members as said figurine is moved in inertial space,    d. At least one pair of a second type of body members,    e. at least one, second, stiff type joint interconnecting said pair of second-type body members, said second-type joint being of a type which maintains said second pair of second type body members immobile in response to said inertial forces.    
     
     
         12 . The toy action figure of  claim 11  wherein at least one of said first-type joints is further defined as being a type enabling relative angular rotation about a pivot axis between said first-type body members.  
     
     
         13 . The toy action figure of  claim 12  wherein at least one of said first-type joints is further defined as being a swivel joint.  
     
     
         14 . The toy action figure of  claim 12  wherein at least one of said first-type of joints is further defined as being a ball-and-socket joint.  
     
     
         15 . The toy action figurine of  claim 12  further including stop means for limiting said angular motion to a predetermined value.  
     
     
         16 . The toy action figure of  claim 12  further including a manipulating stem which protrudes from said body of said figurine, said manipulating stem adapted to being grasped by the hand of a user to thereby move said figurine in inertial space.  
     
     
         17 . The toy action figure of  claim 16  wherein said manipulating stem is further defined as protruding from a head of said figurine.  
     
     
         18 . The toy action figure of  claim 16  wherein said manipulating stem is further defined as protruding from a back surface of said body.  
     
     
         19 . The toy action figure of  claim 15  wherein said model locomotion means is further defined as being a bicycle.  
     
     
         20 . The toy action figure of  claim 19  wherein at least one of said first, loose type of joints is further being a first knee joint of a first handedness.  
     
     
         21 . The toy action figure of  claim 10  wherein said stop means is further defined as limiting straightening motion between a thigh and leg of said figurine.  
     
     
         22 . The toy action figure of  claim 21  wherein said stop means is further defined as including in combination a first, abutting member secured to a shin portion of said leg, and a transversely disposed margin surface of said thigh which abuts an upper transverse surface of said abutting member to thereby limit straightening motion of said leg relative to said thigh.  
     
     
         23 . The toy action figure of  claim 22  wherein said figurine is further defined as including a second knee joint, said second knee joint being of said first, loose type.  
     
     
         24 . The toy action figure of  claim 23  wherein said figurine is further defined as including right and left shoulder joints of said first, loose type.  
     
     
         25 . The toy action figure of  claim 24  wherein said figurine is further defined as including right and left forearms joined to right and left upper arms by said joints of said second, stiff type.  
     
     
         26 . The toy action figure of  claim 25  wherein said figurine is further defined as including pelvis connected to right and left thighs by right and left thigh joints of said first, loose type.  
     
     
         27 . The toy action figure of  claim 26  wherein said right and left thigh joints of said figurine are further defined as being ball-and-socket joints.  
     
     
         28 . The toy action figure of  claim 27  wherein said figurine is further defined as including right and left hands pivotably fastened to right and left handlebar grips of said bicycle.