US 10,239,218 B1Granted

Structural frame for covered and animated segments of a robotic figure

AssigneeDisney Enterprises, Inc.

InventorsPhilip John Jackson, Leslie Margaret Evans

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Abstract

A robot with an animated segment including a generally cylindrical structural frame. The frame includes a plurality of spaced apart plastic ribs that each have a curved or arcuate body that is arranged to be convex relative to a central axis of the structural frame. A first end of each rib is pivotally coupled with a lower ring, and a second end of each rib is pivotally coupled with an upper ring. A flexible outer covering is positioned over the structural frame and is attached to one or more of the ribs. This provides a robotic segment that is animated with an organic feel and natural movement by providing an actuator in the robot segment that is operated by a controller to move one or both of the rings such as linearly along a central axis of the structural frame (e.g., toward and away from the other ring).

Claims19

Dependent claims

A robotic apparatus, comprising:

a first support member;
a second support member space apart from the first support member;
a plurality of spaced apart ribs extending between the first and second support members, wherein each of the ribs has a flexible elongate body that is coupled at a first end to the first support member and at a second end to the second support member;
and
an actuator applying an actuating force upon at least one of the first and second support members to move the at least one of the first and second support members between first and second positions causing each of the ribs to be elastically deformed,
wherein the first end of each of the ribs is attached to an outer edge of the first support member,
wherein the second end of each of the ribs is attached to an outer edge of the second support member,
wherein the first end of each of the ribs is pivotally coupled to the outer edge of the first support member,
wherein the second end of each of the ribs is pivotally coupled to the outer edge of the second support member,
wherein the first support member comprises a ring,
wherein the first end of each of the ribs comprises a head with a conduit for receiving the ring of the first support member, wherein the second support member comprises a ring, and
wherein the second end of each of the ribs comprises a head with a conduit for receiving the ring of the second support member.

9 more elements

A robotic apparatus, comprising:

a first support member;
a second support member space apart from the first support member;
a plurality of spaced apart ribs extending between the first and second support members, wherein each of the ribs has a unitary, flexible, and elongate body that is coupled at a first end to the first support member and at a second end to the second support member, wherein the body of each of the ribs has a curved shape and is oriented to be convex relative to a longitudinal axis extending through the first and second support members;
an actuator repeatedly moving at least one of the first and second support members between first and second positions causing each of the ribs to be elastically deformed free of an outside force acting upon the first and second support members;
and
an outer covering extending over the ribs that moves with the ribs,
wherein the first end of each of the ribs is attached to an outer edge of the first support member and wherein the second end of each of the ribs is attached to an outer edge of the second support member;
and the first and second ends of each of the ribs is coupled so that the first end rotates when the actuator repeatedly moves at least one of the first and second support members between the first and second positions.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.