GB2198363A

GB2198363A - Doll with a sound reproducing mechanism and a mechanism for effecting movement of the eyes and mouth

Info

Publication number: GB2198363A
Application number: GB08705298A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Vicente Berenguer Fuentes
Original assignee: Berenguer Hermanos SA
Current assignee: Berenguer Hermanos SA
Priority date: 1986-12-09
Filing date: 1987-03-06
Publication date: 1988-06-15
Also published as: ES1001159U; ES1001159Y; FR2607715A1; GB8705298D0; IT1203903B; IT8720135A0

Abstract

A doll is provided with sound reproducing mechanism 1 and a mechanism 3 for moving the eyes and mouth, such movements being effected by an electric micromotor (14) driving an endless screw (15) which drives a lever 22, 4 through gearing (16), 18, 19 the lever being connected to the levers 5 and 6 for moving the eyes and mouth simultaneously, the mechanism 1 and 3 being simultaneously energized through a push button 2. <IMAGE>

Description

DOLL WITH A SOUND REPRODUCING MECHANISM AND A MECHANISM FOR EFFECTING MOVEMENT OF THE EYES AND MOUTH This invention relates to doll incorporating a sound reproducing mechanism, such as a a disc-type sound reproducing mechanism, and a mechanism for effecting movement of the eyes and mouth. By means of a sound reproducing needle and sound transmission diaphragm, the disc sends out the sounds that have been pre-recorded on it. This sound reproduction device is activated by means of a push button located inside the doll and when this button is depressed an electric circuit closes, thereby supplying power to the aforementioned sound reproducing unit so that it can operate.

According to the present invention there is provided a doll provided with a sound reproducing mechanism and a mechanism for effecting movement of the eyes and mouth, the sound reproducing mechanism consisting of a disc and sound transmission diaphragm, and aid sound reproducing mechanism being activated by a button which when depressed activates the mechanism for effecting movement of the eyes and mouth.

The sound reproducing mechanism works in synchronisation with two other devices, the first of which is for opening and closing the mouth and the second for moving the eyes. The single switch is used to activate the devices described above. This activates the sound reproducing mechanism on the one hand, having a small electric motor, and on the other, the mechanism that moves the eyes and mouth, which is preferably housed in the doll's neck. The mechanism for moving the eyes and mouth consists of an electric motor of small dimensions, having and endless screw on its projecting axle, which screw rotation a small speed-reducing gear which drives an eccentric which moves the mouth via a set of levers by means of the to and fro motion of such levers, thus producing the simulated speaking action of the doll.

Driven from the set of levers for moving the mouth are a further set of levers extending towards the top of the head. These further levers are used to make th eyes move, to simulate a blink or a wink, with the doll's eyballs moving up and down at the same time. Owing to part of the eyeballs being flesh-coloured, eyelash movement is simulated in the doll.

Thus, this mechanism with its combined movement is operated by depressing and activating a main push buttom switch, which supplies power simultaneously to the voice or sound reproducing mechanism and to the mechanism for moving the mouth and eyes, i.e. eyelashes of one eye or both eyes, so that on account of the sound produced and the movement of the mouth, speaking is simulated and the alternate flicking of the eyelashes makes the action of this doll as real as possible, owing to the movements and gestures produced in this operation.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of an example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a longitudinal section through a doll according to the present invention containing the internal mechanisms for movement of the eyes and mouth, Figure 2 shows a sectional plan view of the box containing the motor and mechanisms, and Figure 3 shows a side view of the set of levers that transmit motion from the motor to the eyes and mouth.

The sectioned profile of the doll can be seen from Figure 1. The sound reproducing mechanism 1 is accessed through the back of the doll, this mechanism 1 being of the so-called disc type which opens the electric circuit on completion of the playing cycle of the disc.

A pushbutton 2 is located preferably at the front of the doll. When this button 2 is depressed, the electric circuit is closed and the sound reproducing mechanism 1 is operated. When the button 2 is depressed, electrical power is also supplied to a mechansim 3 that makes the eyes or eyelids move, along with the mouth, thus combining the sound, i.e. speech, with the simultaneous movement of the eyes and mouth.

The unit 3 housing the mechanisms for moving the eyes and mouth is illustrated in Figure 2 and is preferably located in the region of the neck of the doll so as to be easily accessible. An angle lever 4 protrudes from this unit 3, with a further two levers 5 and 6 branching off it; the lever 5 is fixed in position by means of a rotary pin 7 that slides along a guide slot provided in lever 6.

So that the mouth can move, it is given a concave shape and there is a fixed, rigid brace 8, holding it in place at the top, while the bottom part of the mouth is deflected upwards by means of lever 6 shifting or rocking on its pivot point 9 thus allowing the mouth to open and close, to give the impression that the doll is speaking.

Likewise, by moving up and down, lever 5 transmits motion to an upper lever 10 attached directly to the eyeballs 12 by their corresponding pins 11. By moving this lever 5, the eyeballs 12 rotate to make it look as if the doll is blinking.

Figure 2 illustrates a convenient section in plan view of unit 13 which holds the driving motor, and the internal mechanisms which are formed of a thermoplastic material driven by an electric micromotor 14. The projecting axle or drive shaft of the motor 14 is connected to an endless screw 15 which engages a lower pinion 16 attached to an axle 17, thus transmitting motion to a pinion 18 which engages a flywheel 19 of greater diameter, thus reducing the number of rotations. A pivot or stub 20 is provided on the flywheel 19 and moves along a slot 21 of the angle lever 22 thus causing it to rock up and down when lever 22 turns round axle 23, which is designed for such purpose and for positioning and turning the aforementioned part.

Owing to this articulation at 23, the lever 22 in turn is able to rock at its other end. It is attached by means of a stub 24, firstly to the lever 5, responsible for moving the eyeballs 12, and by sliding along a slot conveniently provided in lever 6, it is able to shift or rock round its turning point, 25, thus achieving a rocking movement at its end 26, enabling it to strike the lower part of the mouth or lower lip, and therefore, by this simple method, it produces the action making the doll look as it if is speaking.

Figure 3 illustrates a view of the set of levers transmitting motion from the motor unit, the explanations, mechanisms and integral parts of which have already been described with reference to Figure 2. The diagram is shown to facilitate understanding of the aforementioned mechanisms.

Claims

1. A doll provided with a sound reproducing mechanism and a mechanism for effecting movement of the eyes and mouth, the sound reproducing mechanism consisting of a disc and sound transmission diaphragm, and said sound reproducing mechanism being activated by a button which when depressed activates the mechanism for effecting movement of the eyes and mouth.

2. A doll as claimed in claim 1, in which the mechanism for effecting movement of the eyes and mouth consists of an electric motor drivingly connected to an endless screw which drives a gear that rotates a speed-reducing gear which moves an eccentric, the alternating movement of which drives a set of levers to cause the lower lip to move up and down, thus giving the appearance that the doll is speaking.

3. A doll as claimed in claim 2, in which the set of levers operating the mouth device transmit motion to a second set of levers for moving the eyeballs of the doll, thus giving the appearance that the doll is blinking or winking.

4. A doll provided with a sound reproducing mechanism and a mechanism for effecting movement of the eyes and mouth, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.