EP1579898B1 - Play and colection figurine - Google Patents

Abstract

The model figure (1) and especially of a footballer, as a toy or for a collection, has at least two legs (10,20) where at least one moves on an axis (2) in relation to the trunk of the figure together with a unit (64) to accelerate the leg movement in a kicking action. A further axis (3) gives swing movements to the legs and feet at the knees and ankles. An external control (62) releases the tensed acceleration unit for a leg kicking movement.

Description

The invention relates to a game and collectible figure, in particular from the football game, with at least two extremities, of which at least one of a first axis of rotation movably mounted on the figure and can be accelerated by means of a Beschleunigüngsvorrichtung.

Such game and collectible figures are known for example from a table football game such as from US-A-3906661 in which by means of said character a ball is to shoot under consideration of certain rules in a goal of the opposing team. This game piece has a limb which is mounted movably on the figure about an axis of rotation and can be accelerated forward by means of an acceleration device. In this case, this accelerating device is a push rod, which runs essentially vertically in the interior of the figure and protrudes outward on a head region of the figure. By tapping this push rod, the extremity is deflected forward. If a game ball or similar object is positioned in front of this limb and the game character is aligned accordingly, a more or less targeted "ball shot" can be given by tapping the push rod. Since these figures are produced in different embodiments, including in the special jerseys known football clubs, they serve not only as a game but also as a collector's figure.

The disadvantage of such a game character, however, is that due to the rigid, only about a pivotally mounted extremity, a differentiated ball acceleration is very difficult, since the direction of movement can be changed solely by the orientation of the entire figure with respect to the ball to be accelerated. The possible changes here mainly extend to horizontal changes of direction. A differentiation between a flattened and a high ball is extremely difficult. Also, the mentioned acceleration device for an accurate game is extremely unsuitable, since it inevitably comes due to the direct dynamic operation to a movement of the character and thus to possible inaccuracies in the ball acceleration.

Since in such characters sometimes a realistic reproduction of natural body movements is desired, such as a football player, beyond the rigid version of the limbs of the character is unsatisfactory. For example, to simulate the complexity of a shooting movement, this character lacks key features.

Object of the present invention is to further develop an above-mentioned game and collectible figure so that a more accurate, versatile and realistic movement of the figure is possible.

This object is achieved by a game and collectible figure according to protection claim 1.

The advantage of such a further developed figure is that now a much more complex and therefore more realistic and accurate alignment of the limbs to be moved is possible. This has, among other things, effects on the movement process of the accelerated limb. If the figure is modeled on a football player, for example, the inventive design of the acceleratable limb, in this case a firing leg of the soccer player, by a corresponding adaptation of the firing bone, the execution of different shots. When it comes to accelerate a ball lying in front of the playing piece, the direction of flight of the ball can now be changed by changing the orientation of the extremity. In addition, it is possible by the inventive design of the respective limbs of the game character, this better fit in their anatomy of the natural model, in the case of the football figure so to the people.

For training, for example, a human-like game and collectors figure, this has in addition to a head extremity four other extremities. Two of these extremities are preferably designed as leg extremities and the remaining two extremities as Armextremitäten. Arm and Beinextremitäten according to the invention each have a plurality of interconnected links, which in its entirety a play and collectible figure is created, which is very similar in their movement possibilities of those of the human body. It is conceivable here, for example, to form the possibilities of movement of the individual limbs among one another and with respect to the figure itself in accordance with the anatomy of the human body. It is conceivable, of course, not only a football player in the inventive game and collectors figure. The execution of the invention to be accelerated and the static extremities also allows the training of any other imaginable play and collectible figure realistic or imaginary nature.

If at least one extremity of the toy and collector figure is formed such that it is movably mounted on the figure about a third axis of rotation, the third axis of rotation being perpendicular to the first axis of rotation and passing through an end portion of this extremity, this leads to an additional improvement of the possibility of movement of the Game piece. This contributes significantly to an increase in the possible acceleration movements as well as to a more natural and complex overall movement capability of the figure. Basically, the more complex the individual limbs of each limb are movable, the more natural and realistic the overall mobility of the figure. The more accurate and versatile the orientation of the accelerated limb can be made, the more accurately an object can be hit by the extremity and accelerated itself.

The movable connection of the limbs of the at least one limb and the extremity itself with the figure is preferably designed such that the alignment of the limbs to each other and to the figure is adjustable by a force which is above a certain Ausrichtkraftschwelle. This means that, for example, the above-mentioned firing leg of the football player figure, consisting of individual links, can be changed in shape by the operator of the figure, but the acceleration of the firing leg by the input called acceleration device does not lead to a change in shape of the same. When dimensioning the Ausrichtkraftschwelle is to be considered both the acceleration force acting on the acceleration of the extremity on the individual members and their compounds as well as the force that occurs by hitting an object, such as the ball. For purely static extremities, of course, only the weight of the figure and the resulting static forces must be considered. It is conceivable to realize the connection of the individual limbs or the extremities of the figure by connecting elements which have a detent. This detent guarantees the respective Ausrichtkraftschwelle also after frequently performed rotational and pivotal movements of the individual limbs and limbs. Depending on the limb and extremity, this Ausrichtkraft threshold is of course different.

Preferably, the connection of the individual members is formed with at least one latching mechanism. This allows in addition to the guaranteed by the connection free mobility (depending on the type of connection pivotally, twistable rotatable, etc.), the predefinition of certain limb and extremity positions. Due to the integrated latching mechanism, these are preferably adopted.

The acceleration device preferably has a pretensioning device, by means of which the acceleration energy necessary for accelerating the extremity can be applied in the form of a pretensioning before the alignment of the figure - the aiming. Preferably, the biasing means is designed such that the biasing by the deflection of the at least one limb by an angle α to the first axis of rotation takes place and the release of the preload causes an acceleration of this extremity in a substantially opposite direction.

In contrast to the direct acceleration of the extremity, for example as called by the input of a push rod, in the embodiment according to the invention first a potential kinetic energy is applied, then aligned the figure and finally, when the acceleration is to be released, the bias dissolved and released the stored kinetic energy ,

To stay with the example of the football player: Its firing leg is deflected by an angle α to the rear around the first axis of rotation. This has a bias result, which causes an acceleration of the firing leg in a substantially opposite direction, ie forward when releasing. Hits the forward accelerated limb on a ball or similar object, this gem. Pulse set also accelerated.

Advantageously, in this case, the biasing device has at least one locking device, which allows the determination of the limb with a certain deflection angle α _R. Thus, a bias voltage can be applied and released at any later time in the form of an acceleration force. Preferably, the locking device has a plurality of latching steps, which allow the determination of different deflection angle of the limb. As a result, depending on the desired acceleration force a more or less large deflection and thus bias can be selected. If the pretensioning device is designed in such a way that there is a linear relationship between the deflection angle α of the extremity and the pretensioning force, it is possible for the user of the figure to essentially anticipate the resulting acceleration force on the basis of the deflection angle. This means: large deflection angle - high acceleration force, small deflection angle - small acceleration force.

To release the locking of the accelerator, the figure has a, in particular accessible from the outside of the figure release mechanism. Preferably, this trigger mechanism is a push button or lever that the Arresting the accelerator device triggers and thus causes a reduction in the bias and acceleration of the respective limb.

Preferably, the limbs of the figure are designed to be movable so that the figure can be brought into a free state. This guarantees the realistic appearance of the play and collector figure according to the invention. In addition, this free state allows the execution of plays, as they are known from reality, for example, the use of the game according erfiridungsgemäßen play figure as a wall in free kicks in a table football game. If the play and collector figure according to the invention has a detachable holding device for improving its stability, this increasingly contributes to the aforementioned advantage. Of course, the free standing of the figure and the supporting device that supports it also ensures the adequate placement of the figure in its function as a collector object.

Further embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims. The invention will be described with reference to an embodiment which is explained in more detail by a figures.

Fig. 1

eine erste Ausführungsform der Erfindung,

Fig. 2

eine schematisierte Darstellung der Ausführungsform aus Fig. 1,

Fig. 3

die schematisierte Darstellung aus Fig. 2 der ersten Ausführungsform aus Fig. 1 mit eingezeichneten Drehachsen in einer Vorderansicht, und

Fig. 4

die schematische Darstellung aus Fig. 2 des ersten Ausführungsbeispiels aus Fig. 1 mit eingezeichneten Drehachsen in einer Seitenansicht.

Hereby show:

Fig. 1

a first embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 2

a schematic representation of the embodiment of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3

the schematic representation of FIG. 2 of the first embodiment of Figure 1 with marked axes of rotation in a front view, and

Fig. 4

the schematic representation of Fig. 2 of the first embodiment of FIG. 1 with marked axes of rotation in a side view.

In the following description are for the same and equivalent parts the same reference numerals used.

Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of the invention in a schematic isometric view from the front. Shown is a game and collectible figure, which is modeled here, for example, a football player. The toy and collector figure in this case has a main body 60, are mounted on the substantially five extremities 10 - 50 movable. Two of these extremities are designed as leg extremities 10, 20, two more as arm extremities 30, 40. The fifth extremity forms a head 50. In this embodiment, the individual extremities 10, 20, 30, 40 consist of individual links (see FIG. 2) which are movable relative to one another about specific axes of rotation (see FIGS. 2-4). In order to give this modeled body as natural a look as possible and to hide any connecting elements (see FIG. 2) between the individual limbs of the extremities 10-50, the play and collector figure 1 according to the invention has a number of coatings 72, 74, 76 '76' up. In this embodiment, these covers 72, 74, 76, 76 'are formed as components of a jersey, while the coatings 72 and 74 form a top and pants of the jersey. The coatings 76 and 76 'form the associated nozzles. In addition to the modeling properties and the protective function for the connecting elements (see FIG. 2), the advantage of these coatings 72, 74, 76, 76 'formed here from fabric is also that corresponding advertising symbols can be placed on them. For example, you could train them according to the jerseys of famous football clubs to advertise for this or to increase the collector's value of the game and collectible figure 1.

In order to improve stability in the game piece 1, this first embodiment has a holding device 80 which engages the left extremity 20 of the playing piece 1. Of course, it is also conceivable to attach the holding device to another limb 10, 30, 40, 50 or to the main body 60. In order to increase the versatility of the playing figure 1 according to the invention, this holding device 80 is here fastened by means of locking lugs (not shown) on the extremity 20 and thus easily and quickly from the figure 1 solvable. In this embodiment, the playing figure 1 is substantially modeled on the anatomy and the appearance of a human body. Of course it is also possible here to reproduce the anatomy of an animal or a fantasy figure or to change the degree of detail.

The leg extremity 10 is designed as an acceleratable limb 10. The task of this acceleratable limb 10 is u.a. to accelerate the ball 82 with a desired strength and direction. In order in particular to change the direction of acceleration of the ball 82, it is possible on the one hand to change the orientation of FIG. 1 itself to the ball 82, but on the other hand it is also possible according to the invention to adapt the limb 10 itself such that a directional control of the accelerated ball 82 is possible.

For this purpose, the limb 10 according to the invention three members 12, 14, 16, which are connected by means of connecting elements 13 and 15 about certain axes of rotation movable together. The limb 10 as a whole is movably attached to the playing figure 1 by a connecting element 11. The movable connecting elements 11, 13, 15 of these members 12, 14, 16 now allow the entire extremity 10 to be aligned in such a way that different ball accelerations or also "shot executions" are made possible. The game figure 1 according to the invention it is possible, for example, by appropriate alignment of the members 12, 14, 16 of the limb 10, the ball 82 play both flat and high.

The connecting elements 11, 13, 15 are designed such that an alignment of the members 12, 14, 16 and the extremity 10 with respect to the main body 60 can be done only by a force that is above a certain Ausrichtkraftschwelle. This alignment force threshold essentially corresponds to the force required to accelerate the ball 82 plus static and dynamic acceleration forces acting on the extremity 10 and the playing figure 1, respectively. Usually, a security surcharge is added here. If one were to set this Ausrichtkraftschwelle too low, although the alignment of the individual members 12, 14, 16 and the extremity 10 to the main body 60 would be much smoother, but it would come when accelerating the ball 82 through the extremity 10 to a realignment of the individual members 12th , 14, 16 and thus to a loss of energy, since the potential acceleration energy from the bias voltage is not predominantly in a kinetic energy of the ball 82 but in Deformation energy of the extremity 10 would be converted. In addition, it is of course important that the connecting elements 11, 13 and 15, even in the long term, guarantee the alignment of the individual members 12, 14, 16 and the extremity 10. For this reason alone, a certain stiffness of these connecting elements 11, 13, 15 is necessary. For this it is advantageous, for example, to provide them with detents or other such detents.

In this embodiment, the game and collectible figure 1 is executed with an acceleratable leg extremity 10. Of course, it is also conceivable to design the game piece 1 instead or additionally with an acceleratable leg extremity 20 and / or execute at least one of the army extremities 30, 40 in an acceleratable manner. In order to allow the game character 1 as versatile and flexible movements, not only the acceleratable leg extremity 10 from different by means of connecting elements 13, 15 and 16 interconnected members 12, 14, 16 is formed here, the other extremities 20, 30, 40, 50th are trained in this way. For example, the arm extremity 30 has members 32, 34 and 36 which are interconnected by connecting members 33 and 35. A connecting element 31 finally connects the entire arm extremity 30 to the main body 60 of the playing figure 1.

Such an inventive design of the play and collector figure 1 allows not only the very lifelike mobility and their free standing. By a corresponding orientation of the individual members of the different limbs 10 - 50 whose center of gravity can be changed almost arbitrarily, so that the character essentially independent of Underground stands independently.

The formation of the individual connecting elements can take place according to the known from the prior art fasteners. Depending on the desired directions of movement of the individual limbs and extremities of the playing figure 1 are therefore ball joints, hinge joints, rotational joints or combinations of the same used. Of course, it is also conceivable to use plastic or elastic materials instead of mechanically formed joints.

In FIGS. 3 and 4, the game figure 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is shown schematically in a front view and a side view. Shown are possible axes of rotation of the limb 10 and he individual members 12, 14, 16 and a deflection angle α of the acceleratable limb 10. It should be noted that it is the local axes of rotation in the rotation axes mentioned in consequence and in the claims. This means that the respective axes of rotation relate to the associated limb or limb. For example, of course, the axis of rotation 3, which allows the alignment of the members 12 and 14 to each other their position in space, when the entire limb 10 is pivoted about the axes of rotation 2 and 4. In this embodiment, the limb 10 is formed both about the first axis of rotation 2 and about the third axis of rotation 4 pivotally. The individual members 12, 14 and 16 of the limb 10 are pivotable relative to each other about the axes of rotation 3 and 5 and 6 respectively. Of course, it is also conceivable to form the connecting elements 11, 13 and 15 shown in FIG. 2 such that additional pivoting movements, for example perpendicular to the axes 5 and 6, are possible. A similar design of the axes of rotation is of course also in the Armextremitäten 30 and 40 (see Fig. 2).

4, in addition to the axes of rotation 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 of the limb 10, for pivoting the individual members 12, 14, 16 with each other and the limb 10 itself, nor an accelerator 64 with a biasing means (not shown). and a triggering device 62 shown. The biasing device of the accelerator 64 is actuated by the pivoting of the limb 10 by the deflection angle α. The angle α is here defined as the angle α by which the limb 10 is deflected from its rest position, the position in which no bias is applied, until a desired preloading force is reached. For this purpose, the pretensioning device preferably has a plurality of locking detents, which enable the determination of the extremity at different deflection angles α _i . The release of the lock by means of the triggering device 62 causes a swinging back of the extremity 10 substantially in the rest position and as a result an acceleration of the ball 82 (see Fig. 1). As already mentioned in the introduction, it is advantageous if there is a linear relationship between the prestressing force and the deflection angle α then to anticipate the expected acceleration of the limb 10 as a function of the deflection angle α.

3 and 4 it is clear that, for example, by a different alignment of the member 16 of the limb 10 about the axis of rotation 5, the direction of movement of the ball 82 (see Fig. 1) can be decisively influenced. If, for example, the member 16 is aligned so that it engages under an acceleration of the extremity 10 under the ball 82, so this is raised, there is a high shot. In contrast, if the member 16 is aligned so that it substantially impinges in the center of gravity of the ball 82, the ball 82 is accelerated only horizontally.

In the embodiment shown here, it quickly becomes clear that, by using the pretensioning device according to the invention in conjunction with the precise alignability of the individual limbs of the different extremities 10-50, a very accurate acceleration of the ball can take place in any desired direction. It should be mentioned that in this way, of course, the training of, for example, a tennis player - here is u.a. the extremity 40 can be accelerated - is possible.

It should be noted at this point that all of the parts described above are considered to be essential to the invention and in every combination, in particular the details shown in the drawings, as essential to the invention. Variations thereof are familiar to the person skilled in the art.

reference numeral

1

Toy and collector figure

2

first axis of rotation

3

second axis of rotation

4

third axis of rotation

5

fourth axis of rotation

6

fifth axis of rotation

10

Limb (leg)

11

connecting element

12

element

13

connecting element

14

element

15

connecting element

16

element

17

end

20

Limb (leg)

30

Limb (arm)

31

connecting element

32

element

33

connecting element

34

element

35

connecting element

36

element

40

Limb (arm)

50

Extremity (head)

60

main body

62

triggering device

64

accelerator

72

Cover shell

74

Plating pants

76, 76 '

Covering neck

80

holder

82

ball

α

angle of deflection

α _R1 - α _Ri

locked deflection angle

R ₁ - R _i

catching step

Claims (4)

1. Soccer player figure and collectible figure (1) with at least two extremities (10; 20), of which at least one extremity (10) is a shooting leg (10) movable about a first axis of rotation (2) and attached to the figure (1) via a thigh section (12),
   with an acceleration device (64) to accelerate the extremity (10), whereby the acceleration device (64) has the following features:

   a pre-tensioning device such that pre-tensioning is achieved by moving the thigh section (12) of at least one extremity (10) through an angle α about the first axis of rotation (2), and that releasing the pre-tension effects an acceleration of this extremity (10) in an essentially opposite direction, whereby a linear connection exists between the angle of deflection a of the thigh section (12) of the extremity (10) and the pre-tensioning force;

   at least one arresting device with a multiplicity of engagement points (R₁, R₂,.....R_n) defining various angles of deflection (α_R1, α_R2 ,....., α_Rn) of the thigh section (12) of the extremity (10): and

   a trigger mechanism (62), in particular accessible from the exterior of the figure (1), which activates the acceleration device (64),

   characterised in that
   at least one extremity (10) has three limbs (12, 14, 16) connected to each other and moveable about a second axis of rotation (3), namely the thigh section (12), a lower leg section (14) and a foot (16), whereby the moveable connection between the limbs (12, 14, 16) of the shooting leg (10) are designed in such a way that the orientation of the limbs (12, 14, 16) to one another and to the figure (1) can be regulated by a force which lies above a specified force threshold.
2. Game figure and collectible figure (1) according to Claim 1,
   characterised in that
   at least one extremity (10) is movable about a third axis of rotation (4) and attached to the figure (1), whereby the third axis of rotation (5) runs vertical to the first axis of rotation (2) and through an end segment (13) of the upper thigh section (12) of this extremity (10).
3. Game figure and collectible figure according to any of the foregoing Claims,
   characterised in that
   the extremities (10, 20) are moveably designed in such a way that the figure (1) can be put into a free-standing position.
4. Game figure and collectible figure according to any of the foregoing Claims,
   characterised by
   a detachable base (80) to improve the stability of the figure (1).

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