Animation method and device

#This invention relates generally to animated figures and more specifically to an apparatus and method for achieving animation or motion in such figures.

#Small animated figures such as dolls or figures which are part of music boxes, clocks and the like have existed for hundreds of years. Such animation has classically been achieved through the use of mechanical gearing. In modern times, animation has been achieved through the use of electro-mechanical designs requiring extremely complex electrical circuitry and associated mechanical devices, such as expensive servo-motors and the like. More recently, with the development of amusement and theme parks, the need to animate much larger figures, such as full size human and animal replicates, has arisen.

#As the size of the figure to be animated increases, the complexity of the electro-mechanical design requirements grows commensurately. In part, the one approach has been to employ pneumatics to achieve animation of such large figures. However, the resulting animation has been crude, at best, and incapable of duplicating fine motion, such as that demonstrated by a human finger. When dealing with very large figures, the devices needed to effectively animate fine, detailed motion are extremely expensive and require special electrical current, along with complicated control circuitry. Even that solution, however, cannot achieve rapid, realistic motion, as the time necessary for the figure to change from one position to another is limited by the time necessary for servo-motors to reposition themselves.

#FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D and 1E illustrate one aspect of the first embodiment of the present invention for providing animation for the arm of a human figure. FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C show a cut-away view of the arm alone, while FIGS. 1D and 1E show the arm as attached to a torso, along with the associated control equipment.

#FIGS. 1F, 1G and 1H illustrate one aspect of the first embodiment of the present invention in which a straight, exterior, noninflatable chamber surrounds an internal, inflatable chamber which has a curved configuration when inflated.

#FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E and 2F show another aspect of the first embodiment of the present invention in which rotational animation is achieved for a torso of a human figure. FIGS. 2D, 2E and 2F are sectional views of FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C, respectively.

#In accordance with the present invention, animation of figures, whether large or small, can be achieved through the use of a simplified device and method. The device can take the form of enumerable specific embodiments, all of which are within the scope of the present invention. In accordance with the first embodiment, at least two collapsible chambers which are independently connected to a fluid supply means are employed. At least two such chambers are placed in such physical relationship that the inflation of either chamber and deflation of its complimentary chamber, causes an outward movement of the figure. Typically, inflation of one chamber places a force on another, complimentary chamber. Such force tends to cause the collapse of that other chamber.

#The collapsible chambers used in the various aspects and embodiments of the present invention may be constructed of any suitable elastic material, such as natural or synthetic rubber, including styrene-butadiene rubber. The composition of the chamber is not critical as long as it is flexible and collapsible over repeated cycles of inflation and deflation.

#The collapsible chambers should be as fluid-tight as possible, to minimize the energy necessary to change and maintain the chambers in a state of inflation or deflation. The fluid necessary to cause the inflation or deflation of the chambers likewise is not critical, although for ease and simplicity of design, fabrication, and operation, it is preferred to use air to inflate the chambers. The pressure maintained in the chambers when inflated likewise is not critical and any pressure over atmospheric is desirable, such as from about 2 to about 200 psi. Essentially, there is no limitation upon the amount of pressure which may be employed, as the components of the system may be varied in design to accommodate the desired pressure. The amount of pressure employed to inflate a chamber is directly translatable into the amount of strength which may be exhibited by the animated character. Further, the pressure differential maintained between inflated chambers and deflated chambers is directly translatable into speed. The greater the differential, the more quickly that a given chamber can inflate and a second chamber, if present, deflate, allowing the figure to rapidly change in outward appearance.