A mechanical toy

Abstract

The invention provides a mechanical toy (2) comprising: a body portion (6) and an operating handle (4), the operating handle (4) being connectable to and disconnectable from the body portion (6); the operating handle (4) comprising a switch mechanism (19) operably connected to a moveable shaft (24), the moveable shaft (24) being operable to move between a first position and a second position under the operation of the switch mechanism (19); the body portion (6) comprising a gear mechanism operably connectable to the moveable shaft (24) and operable in use to rotate upon movement of the moveable shaft (24) between the first position and the second position; the body portion (6) further comprising at least one moveable limb (8) operably connected to the gear mechanism, at least part of the limb (8) being configured to move in use upon rotation of the gear mechanism, wherein the at least one moveable limb (8) or part thereof is rotatable about a primary pivot point (14), the primary pivot point (14) being defined by the axis of at least one gear of the gear mechanism and wherein the at least one moveable limb (8) comprises two or more connected portions (10) which are rotatable, in use with respect to one another about a secondary pivot point (16).

1 . A mechanical toy comprising:
 a body portion and an operating handle, the operating handle being connectable to and disconnectable from the body portion; the operating handle comprising a switch mechanism operably connected to a moveable shaft, the moveable shaft being operable to move between a first position and a second position under the operation of the switch mechanism;   the body portion comprising a gear mechanism operably connectable to the moveable shaft and operable in use to rotate upon movement of the moveable shaft between the first position and the second position;   the body portion further comprising at least one moveable limb operably connected to the gear mechanism, at least part of the limb being configured to move in use upon rotation of the gear mechanism, wherein the at least one moveable limb or part thereof is rotatable about a primary pivot point, the primary pivot point being defined by the axis of at least one gear of the gear mechanism and wherein the at least one moveable limb comprises two or more connected portions which are rotatable, in use with respect to one another about a secondary pivot point.   
     
     
         2 . A mechanical toy of  claim 1  wherein the switch mechanism is located within the operating handle and comprises a projecting portion, the projecting portion projecting through an aperture within the operating handle. 
     
     
         3 . A mechanical toy as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the aperture comprises a slot along which the projecting portion of the switch mechanism is moveable, in use, wherein the movement of the projecting portion along the slot actuates movement of the moveable shaft. 
     
     
         4 . A mechanical toy of  claim 1  wherein the switch mechanism comprises a sleeve located coaxial about a portion of the moveable shaf in an abutting relation, wherein, in use, the sleeve acts to move the moveable shaft between its first position and its second position through acting on the portion of the shaft about which it is located. 
     
     
         5 . A mechanical toy as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the shaft is linearly moveable between its first position and its second position. 
     
     
         6 . A mechanical toy as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the shaft is rotatable between its first position and its second position. 
     
     
         7 . A mechanical toy as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the sleeve of the switching mechanism is operable in use to move linearly, the linear motion of the sleeve actuating rotational motion in the shaft. 
     
     
         8 . A mechanical toy as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the portion of the shaft enclosed by the sleeve comprises a helical configuration and the sleeve comprises one or more portions thereof which abut a surface of the helical portion of the shaft, wherein as the sleeved is moved linearly, in use, the portion or portions of the sleeve which abut the helical surface/s of the shaft act to rotate the shaft in a given direction. 
     
     
         9 . A mechanical toy as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the gear mechanism comprises a primary gear which is operably connected to the moveable shaft and is operable in use to rotate under the movement of the shaft between its first and second positions. 
     
     
         10 . A mechanical toy as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the rotation of the primary gear actuates movement of at least part of the moveable limb directly. 
     
     
         11 . A mechanical toy as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the gear mechanism additionally comprises one or more secondary gears mechanically connected to the primary gear, wherein the or each secondary gear is rotatable, in use, under the rotation of the primary gear. 
     
     
         12 . A mechanical toy as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the rotation of the or each secondary gear actuates the movement of at least part of the at least one moveable limb of the mechanical toy, in use. 
     
     
         13 . A mechanical toy as claimed in  claim 1  comprising a body portion mechanically connected to the operating handle. 
     
     
         14 . A mechanical toy as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the body portion may house one or more components of the mechanical toy. 
     
     
         15 . A mechanical toy as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the moveable limb of the mechanical toy comprises part of the body portion. 
     
     
         16 . A mechanical toy as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the body portion is in the form of a human, and the at least one moveable limb comprises an arm or a leg. 
     
     
         17 . A mechanical toy of  claim 1  wherein the body portion is releasably connected to the operating handle. 
     
     
         18 . A mechanical toy as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the body portion is connectable to the operating handle through a click-fit connection, the click-fit connection additionally comprising a release switch operable in use that when switched, the body portion and operating handle may be disconnected. 
     
     
         19 . A mechanical toy as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the at least one moveable limb or part thereof is rotatable, in use, upon rotation of the gear mechanism. 
     
     
         20 . A mechanical toy as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the at least one moveable limb comprises a first, upper part connected to the gear mechanism at the primary pivot point and a second, lower part connected to the upper part of the limb at the secondary pivot point, the lower part being rotatable about the secondary pivot point in response to the movement of the upper part about the primary pivot point. 
     
     
         21 . A mechanical toy as claimed in  claim 20  wherein the upper and lower parts of the at least one limb are mechanically connected and are operable to rotate about the primary and secondary pivot points in a complimentary fashion. 
     
     
         22 . A mechanical toy as claimed in  claim 20  wherein the upper and lower parts of the at least one moveable limb are additionally connected by a biasing means, the biasing means being operable in use to bias the lower part of the limb in a given direction of rotation about the secondary pivot point. 
     
     
         23 . A mechanical toy as claimed in  claim 22  wherein the biasing means comprises a resilient or elastic cord connecting the upper and lower parts of the at least one moveable limb. 
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A mechanical toy comprising a body portion and an operating handle, the operating handle being connectable to and disconnectable from the body portion; the operating handle comprising a switch mechanism operably connected to a moveable shaft, the moveable shaft being operable to move between a first position and a second position under the operation of the switch mechanism;
 the body portion comprising a gear mechanism operably connectable to the moveable shaft and operable in use to rotate upon movement of the moveable shaft between the first position and the second position;   the body portion further comprising at least one moveable limb operably connected to the gear mechanism, at least part of the limb being configured to move in use upon rotation of the gear mechanism;   wherein the switch mechanism comprises a sleeve located coaxial about a portion of the moveable shaft in an abutting relation, wherein, in use, the sleeve acts to move the moveable shaft between its first position and its second position through acting on the portion of the shaft about which it is located;   and wherein the shaft is rotatable between its first position and its second position.   
     
     
         26 . A kit comprising an operating handle as described in  claim 1  and a plurality of body portions as described in  claim 1  and optionally a display device. 
     
     
         27 . (canceled)