Mechanical Plush Character

Abstract

There is illustrated and claimed the structure and method for performing a certain set of sequences of a toy character. Depending on the programming of a microprocessor and the functioning of various motor means the character can go from a standing position to a sitting position; a standing to a sitting position and a back position and back to a standing position, and a standing to a sitting position, a back position, a rollover position and, eventually, back to a standing position. The character is also capable of performing other functions.

1 . A toy character assembly comprising a body portion, first and second leg assemblies movably connected to said body portion, a first bidirectional motor means for moving a first leg assembly and body portion relative to each other, a movable arm assembly connected to said body portion, a second bidirectional motor means for operating said arm assembly, means interconnecting said first and second leg assemblies for moving said second leg assembly by said first leg assembly, a microprocessor for controlling the operation of said first and second motor means to obtain the desired sequence of events for said motor means and arm and leg assemblies, power means for operating said microprocessor and switch means for activating said microprocessor. 
   
   
       2 . A toy character assembly as set forth in  claim 1  in which the movable arm assembly is positioned to engage one of said leg assemblies in a slapping manner when operated by said second motor means upon receiving instructions from said microprocessor. 
   
   
       3 . A toy assembly as set forth in  claim 1  in which the means interconnecting the first leg assembly with the second leg assembly includes a rod assembly, a spring having one end in engagement with said rod and its other end connected to a drive member for said second leg whereby upon movement of the first leg in one direction said rod will act against said spring to move said drive member to move the second leg in the same direction. 
   
   
       4 . A toy character assembly as set forth in  claim 3  in which the rod is a part of a teeter-totter mechanism and includes a central pivot in contact with a pivot stop secured to said body portion and the rod ends are located in said first and second leg assemblies whereby when the first leg is moved in the opposite direction the central pivot will contact said pivot stop to move the second leg in the opposite direction from said first leg. 
   
   
       5 . A toy character assembly as set forth in  claim 1  in which there are rib means provided on the back of said legs assemblies for facilitating the sitting and standing of said toy character assembly when the body and leg portions are moved by said first motor means as determined by said microprocessor. 
   
   
       6 . A toy character assembly as set forth in  claim 1  in which upon actuation of the switch means the microprocessor actuates the second motor means to move the movable arm assembly into a lowered position, the first motor means moves the body portion forward approximately 10 degrees, the second motor means moves the movable arm up and the first motor means moves the second leg up to move the character into a sitting position, the first motor means moves the body portion into an upward position, the first motor means rocks the body and the second motor means moves the arm into a ground engaging position and the first motor means moves the body to its standing position. 
   
   
       7 . A toy character assembly as set forth in  claim 1  in which upon actuation of the switch means the microprocessor actuates the second motor means to move the moveable arm to a lowered position, the first motor means moves the body portion forward approximately 10 degrees, the second and first motor means are activated to move the arm up in conjunction with one leg to destabilize the character and move it into a sitting position with the body portion leaning over the legs, the first motor means straightens up the body portion and then moves it into a back prone position, the first motor means shakes the legs to present an agitated condition, the first motor means raises the body portion to a seated position and then moves the body portion over the legs and the second motor means moves the arm to help support the body portion and then the first motor means raises the body portion to an upright position whereby the character has returned to its standing position. 
   
   
       8 . A toy character assembly as set forth in  claim 1  in which upon actuation of the switch means the microprocessor actuates the second motor means to raise the movable arm and the first motor means moves the body portion partially over its legs, the first motor means is actuated to raise the legs to move the character into a sitting position and then moves the body portion backward to lay the character prone with its leg raised, the first motor means moves the body portion on its sides and then extends its legs to move it into a back prone position, the first and second motor means moves the arm and legs to move the character on its side, the first motor means extends the legs and moves the character into a face down position, the first and second motor means are operated to support the body on its arm and legs and the first motor means moves the body portion upward to place the character back into a standing position. 
   
   
       9 . A method of moving a toy character from a standing position to a sitting position and then back to a standing position, the toy character having a head and a body portion, at least one movable arm, two movable legs connected to said body portion, bidirectional motor means for operating said arm and legs, a microprocessor for controlling the action of said motor means and switch means for said microprocessor consisting of the steps of (1) standing the character up with the movable arm at a lowered position, (2) moving the body portion forward approximately 10 degrees, (3) moving the arm up in conjunction with one leg to destabilize the character whereby it falls into a sitting position with the body portion leaning over the legs, (4) straightening up the body portion, (5) rocking the body with the movable arm in a ground engaging position, and (6) moving the body to an upright position wherein the character has returned to its standing position. 
   
   
       10 . A method of moving a toy character from a standing to a sitting position, into a back prone position and then back to a starting position, the toy character having a head and a body portion and at least one movable arm and two movable legs connected to said body portion, bidirectional motor means for operating said arm and legs, a microprocessor for controlling the action of said motor means and switch means for said microprocessor consisting of the steps of (1) standing the character up with the movable arm at a lowered position, (2) moving the body portion forward approximately 10 degrees, (3) moving the arm up in conjunction with one leg to destabilize the character whereby it falls into a sitting position with the body portion leaning over the legs, (4) straightening up the body portion, (5) moving the body portion back into a prone position, (6) shaking the legs to present an agitated condition, (7) raising the body portion to a seated position, (8) moving the body portion over the legs and rocking the legs and moving the arm to where the body is supported by the legs and arm, and (9) raising the body portion to an upright position wherein the character has returned to its standing position. 
   
   
       11 . A method of moving a toy character from a standing position to a sitting position, into a back prone position, turning it on its side with its legs bent, extending its legs and moving it back to a back prone position, returning it to a sitting position, turning it over to a front prone position and finally moving it back to a standing position, the toy character having a head and a body portion and at least one movable arm and two movable legs connected to said body portion, bidirectional motor means for operating said arm and legs, a microprocessor for controlling the action of said motor means and switch means for said microprocessor, consisting of the steps of: (1) standing with arm raised and the body portion partially bent over its legs, (2) raising its legs to move it into a sitting position with its body portion extending over its legs, (3) moving the body portion backward to lie prone with its legs raised, (4) moving the body on its side with the legs in its raised position, (5) extending its legs and moving back to a back prone position, (6) operating said arm and legs to move the character on its side, (7) extending the legs and then moving the legs to move it into a face down position, (8) moving the legs and body portion whereby the body is supported by its arm and legs, and (9) moving the body portion upward to place the character back into a standing position. 
   
   
       12 . A method of moving a toy character from a standing position to a sitting position, the toy character having a head and relatively movable body portion, at least one movable arm connected to the body portion in a lowered position, two movable legs each having a rearwardly disposed arcuate shaped member, which legs are movably connected to said body portion, a first bidirectional motor means for operating said arm, a second bidirectional motor for moving said body portion and legs relative to each other, a microprocessor for controlling the action of said first and second bidirectional motor means and switch means for said microprocessor comprising the steps of (1) standing the character up with a movable arm at lowered position, (2) moving the body portion forward by said second bidirectional motor means approximately 10 degrees, (3) moving the arm up by said first bidirectional motor means in conjunction with moving one legs up by said second bidirectional motor means to destabilize the character whereby it falls in to a sitting portion on the arcuate leg members with the body portion leaning over the legs, and (4) straightening up the body portion by said second bidirectional motor means to place the character in a sitting position. 
   
   
       13 . A method including the steps of  claim 12  for moving the character from a sitting position into a prone position and back to a sitting position in which the legs are joined by a teeter-totter mechanism comprising the additional steps of (1) actuating the microprocessor to activate the second bidirectional motor means to move the body portion into a prone position wherein the character has moved past the center of gravity with the legs slightly elevated, (2) actuating the microprocessor to (a) activate the second bidirectional motor means to move the legs through a kicking action through the teeter-totter mechanism, and (b) to activate the first bidirectional motor mechanism to move the arm to simulate an excited condition, and (3) operating the second bidirectional motor to move the body portion to an upright sitting position. 
   
   
       14 . A method including the steps of  claim 12  for moving the character from a sitting position into a prone position and then a side position in which the legs are joined by a teeter-totter mechanism and the body portion has a lower rounded section and a wedge extending therefrom comprising the additional steps of (1) actuating the microprocessor to activate the second bidirectional motor mean to move the body portion into a prone position and the first bidirectional motor means to move the arm to an intermediate position wherein the body portion has moved past the center of gravity and the legs have remained slightly elevated, (2) the microprocessor actuates the second bidirectional motor to move the legs upward and due to the rounded body section and wedge the character rolls on its side where it is supported in its extended position by a leg and an extended arm. 
   
   
       15 . A method including the steps of  claim 14  for moving the character from one side position to its other side position comprising the (1) steps of the microprocessor directing power to the first motor mechanism to move the arm into contact with a leg to create a rearward instability to fall on its back, (2) the microprocessor activates the second bidirectional motor to move the body portion to a more upright position with the arm in engagement with a first leg to prevent movement thereof, (3) the microprocessor directs power to the second bidirectional motor to move a second leg upward to create an instability resulting in the character moving to its other side and then to move the first leg upward to create a stable condition. 
   
   
       16 . A method including the steps of aim  15  for moving the character from its other side to a face down position and then into a standing position comprising the steps of (1) activating the microprocessor to supply power to the second bidirectional motor to extend the legs and then move one leg in a rearward direction which through the teeter totter linkage moves the other leg in a forward direction and subsequently moves the second leg forward to place the character in a face down prone position, (2) the first bidirectional motor is activated to extend the arm, (3) the microprocessor directs power to the second bidirectional motor to move the legs forward into a generally perpendicular position and the first bidirectional motor to extend the arm generally parallel to the legs, and (4) the second directional motor moves the body portion into an upright standing position. 
   
   
       17 . A method as set forth in  claim 16  in which the first directional motor is activated to repeatedly move the arm against a surface to simulate a slapping action. 
   
   
       18 . A method of moving a toy character from a sitting position to a standing position, the toy character having a head and body portion with an arm connected to the body portion in a raised position, the two movable legs each having a rearwardly disposed arcuate shaped member, a first bidirectional motor means for operating said arm and a second bidirectional motor for moving said body portion and legs relative to each other, and a microprocessor for controlling the action of said first and second bidirectional motor means and switch means for said microprocessor comprising the steps of (1) activating the second bidirectional motor means to rock the body portion backwards and quickly forward on the leg arcuate members and to a position approximately 90° to the legs, and (3) at the same time operates the first motor mechanism to move the arm into a position approximately parallel to the legs into a stable position, and (4) the microprocessor activates the second motor mechanism to move the body portion to an upright position and the first motor mechanism to moves the arm to a lowered position. 
   
   
       19 . A toy character as set forth in  claim 1  in which the character is moved from a seated position to a standing position by actuating said second bidirectional motor to move the body portion into a bent position and the first bidirectional motor to move the arm into a downwardly extending position to form a stable base for the character and then operating the second bidirectional motor to raise the body portion into a standing position. 
   
   
       20 . A toy character assembly as set forth in  claim 8  in which the body portion has lower rounded portion and a wedge member to facilitate movement of the character from a prone position to a side position.