CN101076385A

CN101076385A - Construction with telescoping jointed arms

Info

Publication number: CN101076385A
Application number: CNA2005800357465A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 埃兹拉·布克斯坦恩
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-10-20
Filing date: 2005-10-20
Publication date: 2007-11-21
Also published as: WO2006045068A2; WO2006045068A3; EP1830935A2; US20070298676A1

Abstract

A construction such as a toy or geometric sculpture for use by children or adults. The construction has a plurality of telescoping arms, at least three arms preferably being provided, the arms being connected without use of an intermediate torso. Further preferably, one or more arms includes jointed segments. The construction allows variation of the length of the arms via extension and retraction, and manipulation of the configureuration of the arms via bending and rotation, allowing adjustment of the construction into a large number of shapes, providing significant entertainment and artistic value.

Description

Structure with telescoping jointed arms

The present invention requires priority that submit to, the patent No. 60/620,174 U.S. Provisional Application patent on October 20th, 2004, and this full patent texts is incorporated herein, for your guidance.

Technical field

The present invention relates to a kind of structure, preferably be used as the structure of toy or how much sculptures with telescoping jointed arms.

Background technology

Various toys and other structures with the variable-length arm that extends out from trunk before had been provided in the art.For example, transfer Califoria, the Mattel Co., Ltd of EI Segundo, Pestinji the 6th, 461, the 217B1 United States Patent (USP) has disclosed a kind of rag baby tensile annex, sociable that has.The 3rd, 986, No. 295 United States Patent (USP)s (also being to transfer Mattel Corporation) of Heller have disclosed a kind of toy models that has telescopic arms equally.Similarly, the 5th, 181, No. 727 United States Patent (USP)s authorizing Fukumura have also disclosed a kind of toy that has annex that can vertical extension.

In telescopic toy and structure that other also further are provided in the art.For example, the 5th of people such as Coleman, disclosed a kind of recreation in 919, No. 079 United States Patent (USP)s with sword formula pushing-off the wagons rod retainer (play sword lollipop holder), had a plastic circular label at the place, tip of this utensil with the scalable sleeve of a series of plastics systems.Authorize the 6th, 755 of Wong, the 715B2 United States Patent (USP) has also disclosed a kind of Dynamic toy device, and this device can vertical elongation and contraction.

Shown in these lists of references, the recreational value of these structures is admitted widely, and they can provide significant enjoyment.

Summary of the invention

According to the present invention, can provide a kind of structure of having improved to use for children and big people, this structure has a plurality of telescopic arms.In a preferred embodiment, be provided with at least three arms, can make its general construction be transformed into the blank area of desired numerous shapes one or more the comprising in these arms.More preferably, this serial arm can in the middle of doll torso and attached together.

Therefore, this structure was both extending makes length variations with shrinking, and can come the configuration of conversion arm again by bending and rotation.Like this, this structure just can be used as a toy and/or how much sculptures, and significant amusement and/or artistic value are provided, and/or as other any suitable purposes.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 a and 1b are the front views of the telescopic arms 20 of toy of the present invention, and Fig. 1 a is the figure that this arm is in complete contraction state, and Fig. 1 b is the figure that this arm is in the full extension state.

Fig. 2 a～2d is a plurality of views of Fig. 1 telescopic arms, and its Fig. 2 a is the linearly front view of configuration of this arm; Fig. 2 b and 2c are that this arm is the front view that bends configuration gradually when the first joint bent over arms, and Fig. 2 d is the side view of the arm of Fig. 2 a.

Fig. 3 a～3e is a plurality of views of Fig. 1 telescopic arms, and wherein Fig. 3 a is the front view of the telescopic arms of Fig. 2 c; Fig. 3 b is at the view that the arm of Fig. 3 a is extended this arm when running off the page plane around second joint rotation back; Fig. 3 c runs off the page plane and the view of this arm when vertical with the page plane in that this arm of Fig. 3 b is extended in rotation back, first joint; Fig. 3 d and 3e are that 90 ° of rotations are done and the vertical view of position in Fig. 3 c in the position of this telescopic arm of expression from Fig. 3 d.

Fig. 4 a and 4b are the front view of the telescopic arms of a plurality of Fig. 1 when linking together; Fig. 4 a is the front views of two arms when being 180 ° of angles and being connected together; And the front view that Fig. 4 b is three arms when being hexagonal angle each other and being connected together.

Fig. 5 a is that the telescopic arms of four Fig. 1 links together and front view when being cross (or add character shape).

Fig. 5 b is the front view of the telescopic arms of eight Fig. 1 when linking together, and these eight arms form substantially two-layer, and every layer is four arms substantially.

Fig. 5 c is the front view of the telescopic arms of 12 Fig. 1 when linking together, and these 12 arms form substantially three layers, and every layer is four arms substantially.

Fig. 5 d is another side view of Fig. 5 c embodiment, and wherein these arms are arranged to be close together and are become compacter pattern.

Fig. 6 a and Fig. 6 b are the stereograms of various embodiments of the invention, and wherein these arms are formed required shape by manipulated.

The specific embodiment

Shown in appended all figure,, can put forward a kind of structure 10 with a plurality of telescopic arms 20 according to the present invention.Structure 10 preferably is used as a toy, can use for children or big people; Perhaps also it can be used as how much sculptures.In addition, structure 10 also can be used for other suitable applications occasions.As described below, structure 10 convertible configurations usefulness for your amusement or artistic is to reach the required form that conforms to the structure of device.

In this preferred embodiment, each arm 20 comprises a plurality of segmentations or

sleeve

22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e or the like, for example shown in Fig. 1 a and the 1b.Any member of other of arm 20 and structure 10 can be made with any desired material; no matter plastics, metal, alloy or composite or the like all can; and can make desired, as to meet device described here functional requirement, virtually any size, shape or color; therefore; should be appreciated that; although that provide is five segmentation 22a～22e, the feature of these figures only is illustrative purpose, rather than be intended to be used for limiting such as the back description or claimed scope of the present invention.Certainly, can be according to desired such more or less segmentation that forms.

Shown in Fig. 1 a and 1b, in a preferred embodiment, each segmentation or sleeve 22 are nested among of front.Therefore, segmentation 22e is nested among the segmentation 22d, and segmentation 22d then is nested among the segmentation 22e, and so on.Preferably, the low segmentation diameter of arm 20 is bigger, and the diameter of each last segmentation that links to each other successively reduces gradually, thereby the diameter of segmentation 22a is greater than segmentation 22b, and the diameter of segmentation 22b is greater than segmentation 22c, and so on.Perhaps, this structure also can be conversely, thereby arm 20 is had be arranged on the diameter segmentation of the minimum of bottom, and the diameter of each last segmentation that links to each other successively is bigger than that diameter under it.

Because the nested configuration of each segmentation just can form a kind of telescopic arm configuration, for example shown in Fig. 1 a and the 1b in the arm 20.Several among segmentation 22a～22e or all can completely or partially be contracted in the adjacent segmentation; Perhaps, conversely, each partially or even wholly is pulled out to segmentation 22a～22e outside the adjacent sectional of its institute's intussusception.As a result, the total length of telescopic arms 20 can shorten or elongate on request.In other words, by each segmentation being drawn back or they being pressed against together, the total length of telescopic arms 20 just can increase or reduce on request.Preferably all segmentations are nested in together, several segmentation intussusceptions are only arranged and other and denesting although also structure 10 can be formed.

Preferably, each arm 20 is provided with end shield 40 at its most advanced and sophisticated place (promptly on its far-end).Although a little spherical end cap 40 is shown for illustrative purposes, end shield 40 can be size, shape or the color shown in any.Its also available any desired material is made.For example, end shield 40 can be a magnetic, so that other magnetic patch or metal parts are adsorbed onto on the toy, two toys is attached together or the like.

In order to substitute end shield 40 or to append on it be, end shield 40 can comprise that hook or hook add the sticking band (being known as Velcro  trade mark again) of taking, be used for equally member is attached on the toy, perhaps toy be attached on desired object or the surface, perhaps that two toys are attached together.

In order to substitute end shield 40 or to append on it be, end shield 40 can comprise the ring that has movable slip segmentation, this ring be used for opening or closing gap on the ring (as commonly used, for example be used for the hasp of necklace.Like this, the ring of end shield 40 can be opened or closed, perhaps be fixed on the end shield of one or more other toys these toys are fixed together and become coupling configuration with on another end shield that is fixed to toy 10.Perhaps, the ring of this end shield can be opened and closed with on the ring that is fixed to any other suitable dimension.

In further embodiments, can multi-form end shield 40 be set at the place, end (promptly most advanced and sophisticated place) of different arms.For example, can be thereby the concave-convex type end shield can be set with end shield interlocking or the interconnection in the same toy, or with interlocking or interconnection between each toy.In addition, preferably fix when on the throne, also they can be disassembled when these end shields.For example, can adopt removable tip, perhaps change the type of the end shield on the tip of given arm to form different profiles at place, the end of arm.

Again according to the present invention, one or more telescopic arms 20 can be formed and wherein have one or more joints.Preferably, Duo Shuo arm or all arms all are provided with joint.

Preferably, two or more joints are set on one or more arms.Can adopt the joint of any kind.By the selection (ball one dimple type, pivot type or the like) of joint categories, the part of arm 20 can itself be rotated into desired form with respect to the other parts of this arm with respect to general construction 10.Therefore, depend on the type of joint and one or more parts of arm 20 can be rotated in two dimensional surface or also can make three-dimensional rotation.Joint quantity on the arm and/or joint categories and/or any combination of quantity that comprises the arm of joint can be used for the present invention.

In one embodiment, telescopic arms 20 is included in first joint 50 below the lowest segment 22a.In the scheme of this preferable embodiment, joint 50 can pivot and allow the solderless wrapped connection head to do the two dimension rotation, as shown in Figure 2.For example, joint 50 can be made of wherein porose segmentation 46, by this hole be fixed with such as a bar or screw the axle 44.In this preferred embodiment, joint 50 can make arm 20 bending (promptly in imaginary plane 52 internal strains or rotation by the page plane representative of Fig. 2 a～2c).Therefore, arm 20 can be about more than 180 ° or 180 ° around axle 44 rotations.Among the embodiment shown in this, arm 20 rotatable about 270 ° radians can adopt littler or bigger radian although depend on the structure of joint and the structure below it.

In an embodiment that maybe can add that substitutes, telescopic arms 20 is included in second joint 60 below the joint 50, as shown in Figure 3.In a preferred embodiment, joint 60 can form by cylindrical segment 46 is nested in cylindrical segment or the sleeve 52.Joint 60 makes the segmentation 46 of arm 20 can screw in imaginary plane 52 or from wherein screwing out.Preferably, but this arm wholecircle week (360 °) rotation in this joint.Thereby joint 60 can allow to do the two dimension rotation in perpendicular to the plane on plane 52.As a result, the combination of joint 50 and joint 60 makes the part of arm 20 can make three-dimensional rotation.

For example, Fig. 3 a represents that arm 20 is in the first position, and this moment, this arm was in plane 50, and arm 20 is to bend about 75 ° angle downwards.And then Fig. 3 b shows that having passed through joint 60 at arm 20 rotates afterwards and the not structure of Fig. 3 a in plane 52.And arm extension 20 this moment runs off the plane, and its end shield 40 points to observers.Fig. 3 c shows that then arm 20 bends at joint 50 places downwards, and this moment, this arm was bent at an angle of 90 at joint 50 places.In Fig. 3 c, the vertical extension of arm 20 and run off the figure paper plane and towards the observer.

As already mentioned, arm 20 can be 360 ° of joint 60 places rotations.Therefore, if necessary, the position of arm 20 from Fig. 3 c can be rotated back in the page plane.Can continue then to rotate up to arm 20 is to become till 180 ° with position opposite among Fig. 3 c, and arm 20 extends downwards and runs off plane perpendicular to page and outlying observation person thus.Can similarly continue to rotate to form a complete circle.

Therefore, in a preferred embodiment, each arm 20 all constitutes and is similar to VHF antenna or the wireless aerial that is used for television set, perhaps, is similar to the telescopic arms of rag baby in some aspects.But, according to preferred embodiment of the present invention, arm 20 is not to carry out communication with being wired on television set or the radio, does not resemble electronic antenna.But that a plurality of telescopic arms 20 link together is for your amusement, term " amusement " should comprise for play will with toy and for art with view and admire the sculpture of usefulness.Equally, do not resemble the telescopic arms of other rag baby, arm 20 preferably links together without intermediate torso.As shown in the figure, for example in Fig. 4 a, a right arm 20 is directly affixed on the left arm 20 and there is no trunk therebetween.The arm of bigger quantity can be interconnected, as described below.

In this preferred embodiment of the present invention, three or more arms 20 are joined together to form structure 10.Preferably, but owing to adopted three or more arms just can constitute a kind of structure of self standing.In other words, structure 10 can be equilibrated on the end shield 40 of arm 20 independently, and end shield 40 is put and leaned against on the desired surface.Therefore, this structure can stand in a desk or other surface independently and goes up (no matter being smooth or irregular all right) and need not the support member that is installed to it on pedestal or adopts other.

For example, in one embodiment, shown in Fig. 4 b, three (or more a plurality of) arms 20 can be joined together to form toy 10 at central point 70 places.Substitute itself or additional thereon, these arms can be connected successively.In this type of embodiment, these arms can be stacked shown in formation Fig. 5 C such.For example, the combination of a pair of or three arms or four or more a plurality of arms can have a central point or be connected in a central spot, and several central points riveted joints are arranged or links together.

Shown in Fig. 4 b, each arm can be set to relative other two arm and become any desired angle.In this preferred version of three arm embodiment, these angles equate that all each arm forms 120 ° angle with respect to other arm.Just can constitute the structure that stably self to stand by the configuration that adopts three arms or a plurality of arms.But in this embodiment that self stands, structure 10 rests on once the surface by its end shield 40 and goes up and own can standing up, and need not pedestal, trunk or other support member.

It may be noted that these arms are labeled as 20-1 successively in this embodiment and other all embodiment at a plurality of arms of following employing, 20-2 or the like was to have made it to be different from before or afterwards all arms.Also it may be noted that in these embodiments each when the structure of each arm is preferably identical with arm before and after it, just do not had this necessity.Therefore, these arms can have different maximum lengths, and different number of fragments can be arranged, different joint quantity or type or the like.In a preferred embodiment, each arm comprises first joint 50 and second joint 60, as described, although according to the present invention this not right and wrong this can not.

In another preferred embodiment, four arms are connected at central point 70 places, for example shown in Fig. 5 a.Central point 70 can be a fixing point such as rivet, if needed, also can be the joint of other any kind.

In Fig. 5 a, each arm 20 can constitute desired angle with respect to its two adjacent arm.In the preferred version of these four arm embodiment, the angle between these arms equates that all arms that each arm is adjacent relatively form 90 ° angle.According to the present invention, equally also can adopt the arm (no matter being five, six or more a plurality of) of any other quantity.

In of the present invention one better embodiment, a row telescopic arms 20 is stacked into a series of all layers three-dimensionally, for example shown in Fig. 5 b and the 5c.For example, Fig. 5 b illustrates a kind of modification of Fig. 5 a embodiment, wherein adopts two-layer arm, eight arms altogether, and second arm be arranged in four arms of top layer each arm below.In Fig. 5 b, be illustrative purposes, and bottom arms all is bent into about 45 ° angle, are visually come in they and top arms difference thus.Therefore, arm 20-5 is positioned under the arm 20-1, and arm 20-6 is positioned under the arm 20-2, and arm 20-7 is positioned under the arm 20-3, and arm 20-8 is positioned under the arm 20-4.

Also can constitute the layer of other quantity.For example, Fig. 5 c represents the side view of 12 arm sandwich constructions.Three arms going up in the figure and under three arms in the page plane, can see; Three middle arms are shown to extend and run off the page plane and towards the observer; The bottom surface of its excess-three arm also is shown, and these three last arms are exactly to extend to run off three arms of page plane to outlying observation person direction.Structure similar shown in the structure of Fig. 5 c and Fig. 5 b, wherein every layer constitutes one four arm configuration, and just each arm all is straight in Fig. 5 c.(in other words, in Fig. 5 c, not bending) not as shown in Fig. 5 b than lower floor's arm.By changing each size of component and thickness, these layers can be spaced from each other by desired.In a preferred embodiment, gather to these layers relative compact and be close together, for example shown in Fig. 5 d.Can adopt any amount of layer, the arm number of any amount of total arm number and every layer, and any combination of the joint categories of the piece-ups of any desired modification or every arm, every arm, or the like.

Therefore, adopt principle of the present invention, a kind of structure 10 can be provided, it may be made in various amusements and design.According to configuration technology as described herein, this structure initially just can there be desired virtually any size, color, outward appearance or configuration.

Some several examples in special formed that adopt the present invention and can form for example are shown among Fig. 6 a and 6b.As shown in these figures, this structure can be transformed into desired moulding in any imagination, these moulding are only limited by the structure of set arm and joint.Employing set telescopic arms and joint in this structure, children or adult can extend, shrink, bend and/or rotate these arms of the present invention repeatedly, carry out long recreation.This structure can be used as a toy or as one how much sculptures, plays with or hang (for example as a head or hang on the wall) for children or adult.Preferably, with it (for example adopting three or more arms) that is designed to oneself can stand, although also it can be installed or is connected on the pedestal.

According to specific all embodiment the present invention has been described, but be understood that, this description does not represent it is a restriction, because for those skilled in the art that, other embodiment, modification and modification all can be conspicuous or can oneself be imagined out by them, perhaps can be directly by on the literal or drop on by the form that is equal to mutually within the scope of appended claims.What want to illustrate is that applicable situation of the present invention is contained all these embodiment, modification and modification.

Claims

1. method, it comprises:

(a) provide a kind of structure that is used for entertainment purposes;

(b) described structure comprises three arms, and described three arms comprise the first arm, second arm and the 3rd arm;

(c) wherein said structure lacks trunk;

(d) each in described three arms all is telescopic, thereby the user can change the length of each arm in described three arms;

(e) and wherein said the first arm comprise a joint, thereby the user can rotate described the first arm around described joint.

2. the method for claim 1 is characterized in that, the user can rotate described arm along two-dimensional directional around described joint.

3. the method for claim 1 is characterized in that, the user can rotate described arm along three-dimensional around described joint.

4. as the described method of above-mentioned arbitrary claim, it is characterized in that described second arm comprises a joint, and described the 3rd arm also comprises a joint.

5. method, it comprises:

(a) provide a kind of structure as toy or sculpture;

(c) wherein said structure lacks trunk;

(e) and wherein said the first arm comprise two joints, i.e. first joint and second joint.

6. method as claimed in claim 5 is characterized in that, the user can bend described the first arm in described first joint.

7. as claim 5 or 6 described methods, it is characterized in that the user can rotate described the first arm around described second joint.

8. method, it comprises:

(a) provide a kind of structure as toy or sculpture;

(c) wherein said structure lacks trunk;

(e) each arm in wherein said three arms includes at least two joints.

9. method as claimed in claim 8 is characterized in that, the user can utilize in described two joints of described arm at least one to bend each arm in described three arms.

10. method as claimed in claim 8 is characterized in that, the user can utilize in described two joints of described arm at least one to rotate each arm in described three arms.

11. method as claimed in claim 8, it is characterized in that, the user can utilize in described two joints of described arm at least one to bend each arm in described three arms, and utilizes in described two joints of described arm another to rotate each arm in described three arms.

12. as the described method of above-mentioned arbitrary claim, it is characterized in that each in the described arm all comprises a far-end, and described structure self can stand, thereby described structure can stand on the plane by being shelved on the described far-end.

13. the described method of above-mentioned arbitrary claim is characterized in that, each in described three arms also comprises an end shield.

14. method as claimed in claim 13 is characterized in that, described end shield constitutes of being used for described end shield and is connected in the described end shield another.

15., it is characterized in that described structure comprises at least four arms as the described method of above-mentioned arbitrary claim.

16. as the described method of above-mentioned arbitrary claim, it is characterized in that described structure comprises two-layer at least, described one deck at least in two-layer comprises at least two arms.

17., it is characterized in that described structure is used as a toy as the described method of above-mentioned arbitrary claim.

18., it is characterized in that described structure is used as a sculpture as the described method of above-mentioned arbitrary claim.

19. as the structure of above-mentioned arbitrary claim.

20. the structure as above-mentioned arbitrary claim is characterized in that described structure is used for desired any purposes.