Toy figure with articulating joints
AssigneeC. J. Associates, Ltd.
InventorsJames S. W. Lee, Chiu Keung Kwan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A toy figure having multiple articulating limbs connected to the torso by pivot joints that are molded in a vertical injection molding step that forms and pivotally interconnects, in situ, one member of the pivot joint to a second, pre-formed member of the pivot joint.
Claims26
A toy figure having one or more joints comprising:
- a first joint member having a first end with an aperture and a second end adapted to form a first movable joint, the first joint member comprising a first material having a first melting point;
- and
- a second joint member having a portion molded within said aperture of said first joint member to form a second movable joint, the second joint member comprising a material having a melting point which is lower than the first melting point.
A movable joint comprising:
- a first joint member having a first end with an aperture and a second end adapted to form a movable joint, the first joint member comprising a first material having a first melting point;
- and
- a second joint member having a portion molded within said aperture of the first joint member to form a second movable joint, the second joint member being formed of a thermoplastic material having a melting point which is lower than the first melting point.
A method for making a joint having a first joint member pivotally connected to a second joint member comprising the steps of:
- (i) inserting into an injection mold having inner walls defining a cavity for forming the second joint member of the pivot joint, a first joint member being formed from a material having a given melting point, the first joint member being positioned in the injection mold so that a portion of the first joint member is maintained in spaced relation to the walls of the mold;
- and
- (ii) injecting a sufficient quantity of a thermoplastic composition into the cavity of the mold under injection molding conditions permitting the thermoplastic composition to fill the cavity to form the second joint member and pivotally connect the first joint member to the second joint member, wherein the injecting step is carried out at a temperature that is at least 30.degree. C. less than the given melting point of the first joint member.
A toy figure having one or more joints comprising:
- a ball joint member comprising a ball member of a first material having a first melting point;
- and
- a body member molded substantially around said ball member to capture said ball member for pivotal and rotational movement with respect to said body member, said body member comprising a material having a melting point which is lower than the first melting point.
A method for making a ball joint having a first ball member rotationally and pivotally captured by a body member comprising the steps of:
- inserting the ball member into an injection mold having inner walls defining a cavity for forming the body member, the ball member being formed from a material having a given melting point, the ball member being positioned in the injection mold so that a portion of the ball member is maintained in spaced relation to the walls of the mold;
- and
- injecting a sufficient quantity of a thermoplastic composition into the cavity of the mold under injection molding conditions permitting the thermoplastic composition to fill the cavity to form the body member, wherein the injecting step is carried out at a temperature that is at least 30.degree. C. less than the given melting point of the ball member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.