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US 6,287,166 B1Granted
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.
Claims23
A toy figure having a trunk comprising:
- an upper torso member;
- a lower torso member;
- and
- a ball joint having a ball member and a ball enclosure defining a socket, the ball member pivotally and rotatably mounted in the socket of the ball enclosure, the ball member including a shaft extending therefrom, the ball enclosure of the ball joint being mounted in one of the upper torso and the lower torso, and the shaft of the ball joint being mounted in the other of the upper torso and the lower torso enabling the upper torso member to pivot and rotate in relation to the lower torso member,
- wherein a portion of the ball member opposite the shaft is enclosed by and abuts a portion of the ball enclosure, the portion of the ball member is made from a first material and the portion of the ball enclosure comprises a second material, and one of the first material and the second material is softer than the other of the first material and second material, thereby producing a coefficient of friction between the ball member and the body member that resists movement of the ball member within the socket but is normally overcome by a user's input, wherein the ball enclosure has an engaging rail and is mounted to a mounting structure shaped to receive the engaging rail, the mounting structure being disposed within one of the upper torso and the lower torso and comprising a bottom wall and a pair of side walls.
2 more elements
A toy figure having a trunk comprising:
- an upper torso member;
- a lower torso member;
- a ball joint having a socket member and a ball member pivotally and rotatably mounted in the socket member, the ball member including a shaft extending therefrom, the socket member of the ball joint being mounted in one of the upper torso and the lower torso and comprising opposing first and second substantially horizontal engaging rail segments extending from the socket member, and the shaft of the ball joint being mounted in the other of the upper torso and the lower torso enabling the upper torso member to pivot and rotate in relation to the lower torso member;
- and
- a mounting structure comprising a bottom wall and a pair of opposing side walls and shaped to slidingly receive the first and second engaging rail segments, the mounting structure being disposed within one of the upper torso and the lower torso.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.