Action figure card transformable between a two-dimensional state and a three-dimensional state

Abstract

The invention relates to a transformable action figure card toy that transforms between a flat state, resembling a playing card, and an expanded state, resembling a three-dimension character. The toy includes a rigid primary backing which features a primary articulation therein. A primary biasing mechanism articulates the primary backing along the primary articulation so as to segment the primary backing into at least first and second planar regions lying transverse to one another. The primary backing lies substantially flat when not articulated. Additional rigid planar components are hinged to the primary backing and lie flat against the primary backing. A biasing mechanism swings the planar components away from the primary backing so as to dispose the planar components along planes that are transverse to the first and second planar regions. At least one folded pliable web portion is connected between the first planar component and the primary backing.

1 . A toy transformable from a flat state to an expanded state, the toy comprising:
 a rigid primary backing, the primary backing having at least a primary articulation therein;   a primary biasing mechanism for articulating the primary backing along the primary articulation so as to segment the primary backing along at least two planes lying transverse to one another, the primary backing lying substantially flat when not articulated;   at least a first rigid planar component hinged to the primary backing, the first planar component capable of lying flat against the primary backing when it is flat;   a first biasing mechanism for swinging the at least first planar component away from the primary backing so as to dispose the at least first planar component along a plane transverse to the primary backing;   at least one pliable web portion connected between the at least first planar component and the primary backing; and   a releasable catch for holding the at least first planar component flat against the primary backing, wherein the at least first planar component extends across the primary articulation so as to flatten the primary backing when the at least first planar component lies flat against the primary backing.   
     
     
         2 . A toy according to  claim 1 , including a second planar component and a second biasing mechanism for swinging the second planar component away from the primary backing so as to dispose the second planar component along a plane transverse to the primary backing, wherein, when the first and second planar components are flattened against the primary backing, the first and second planar components respectively lie on opposing sides of the primary articulation, and the releasable catch connects the primary backing to the first and second planar components. 
     
     
         3 . A toy according to  claim 2 , wherein the releasable catch includes an actuator slidably mounted to the primary backing, the actuator comprising:
 a hook for engaging catch portions of the first and second planar components;   an actuation tab;   a biasing element for biasing the actuation tab to a position where the tab extends past an edge of the primary backing;   wherein the toy pops into its expanded state by pressing the actuation tab to overcome the force of the biasing element and move the hook to a position where the hook is disengaged from the catch portions of the first and second planar components.   
     
     
         4 . A toy according to  claim 1 , wherein the primary biasing element is one of (i) a spring loaded swivel hinge having a shaft installed along the primary articulation and (ii) a leaf spring connected to two portions of the primary backing and spanning the primary articulation. 
     
     
         5 . A toy according to  claim 1 , wherein the primary backing includes at least first and second additional articulations each running transverse to the primary articulation, wherein, in the expanded state, the additional first and second articulations segment the primary backing into first, second and third planar regions, the first and third planar regions being generally parallel to each other and the second planar region being generally transverse to the first and third planar regions. 
     
     
         6 . A toy according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least first planar component includes a secondary articulation and at least first and second additional articulations each running transverse to the secondary articulation, wherein, in the expanded state, the additional first and second articulations segment the at least first planar component into first, second and third planar regions, the first and third planar regions being generally parallel to each other and the second planar region being generally transverse to the first and third planar regions. 
     
     
         7 . A toy according to  claim 1 , in the flattened position, the primary backing has the form factor of a playing card. 
     
     
         8 . A toy according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one web portion is boustrophedonicly folded. 
     
     
         9 . A toy according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one web portion resembles a character figure. 
     
     
         10 . A toy transformable from a flat state to an expanded state, the toy comprising:
 a rigid primary backing, the primary backing having at least a primary articulation therein;   a primary biasing mechanism for articulating the primary backing along the primary articulation so as to segment the primary backing along at least two planes lying transverse to one another, the primary backing lying substantially flat when not articulated; and   at least one pliable web portion connected between the two transverse planes;   wherein the primary backing includes at least first and second additional articulations each running transverse to the primary articulation, wherein, in the expanded state, the additional first and second articulations segment the primary backing into first, second and third planar regions, the first and third planar regions being generally parallel to each other and the second planar region being generally transverse to the first and third planar regions, and wherein in the expanded state the at least one pliable web portion is spaced further apart from one of the first and third planar regions than the other of the first and third planar regions.   
     
     
         11 . A toy according to  claim 10 , including:
 at least a first rigid planar component hinged to the primary backing, the at least first planar component capable of lying flat against the primary backing when it is flat;   a first biasing mechanism for swinging the at least first planar component away from the primary backing so as to dispose the at least first planar component along a plane transverse to the primary backing; and   a releasable catch for holding the at least first planar component flat against the primary backing, wherein the at least first planar component extends across the primary articulation so as to flatten the primary backing when the at least first planar component lies flat against the primary backing.   
     
     
         12 . A toy according to  claim 11 , including a second planar component and a second biasing mechanism for swinging the second planar component away from the primary backing so as to dispose the second planar component along a plane transverse to the primary backing, wherein, when the first and second planar components are flattened against the primary backing, the first and second planar components respectively lie on opposing sides of the primary articulation, and the releasable catch connects the primary backing to the first and second planar components. 
     
     
         13 . A toy according to  claim 12 , wherein the releasable catch includes an actuator slidably mounted to the primary backing, the actuator comprising:
 a hook for engaging catch portions of the first and second planar components;   an actuation tab;   a biasing element for biasing the actuation tab to a position where the tab extends past an edge of the primary backing;   wherein the toy pops into its expanded state by pressing the actuation tab to overcome the force of the biasing element and move the hook to a position where the hook is disengaged from the catch portions of the first and second planar components.   
     
     
         14 . A toy according to  claim 12 , wherein the primary biasing element is one of (i) a spring loaded swivel hinge having a shaft installed along the primary articulation and (ii) a leaf spring connected to two portions of the primary backing and spanning the primary articulation. 
     
     
         15 . A toy according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least first planar component includes a secondary articulation and at least first and second additional articulations each running transverse to the secondary articulation, wherein, in the expanded state, the additional first and second articulations segment the at least first planar component into first, second and third planar regions, the first and third planar regions being generally parallel to each other and the second planar region being generally transverse to the first and third planar regions. 
     
     
         16 . A toy according to  claim 14 , wherein, in the flattened position, the primary backing has the form factor of a playing card. 
     
     
         17 . A toy according to  claim 16 , wherein at least one web portion is boustrophedonicly folded. 
     
     
         18 . A toy according  claim 17 , wherein at least one web portion resembles a character figure.