EP4062990B1 - Rotating system for toys - Google Patents

Rotating system for toys Download PDF

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Publication number
EP4062990B1
EP4062990B1 EP21165015.5A EP21165015A EP4062990B1 EP 4062990 B1 EP4062990 B1 EP 4062990B1 EP 21165015 A EP21165015 A EP 21165015A EP 4062990 B1 EP4062990 B1 EP 4062990B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
unit
rotating system
toy
parts
engaging means
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP21165015.5A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP4062990C0 (en
EP4062990A1 (en
Inventor
David Bella Martorell
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Magic Box Int Toys SL
Original Assignee
Magic Box Int Toys SL
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Magic Box Int Toys SL filed Critical Magic Box Int Toys SL
Priority to PL21165015.5T priority Critical patent/PL4062990T3/pl
Priority to ES21165015T priority patent/ES2957457T3/es
Priority to EP21165015.5A priority patent/EP4062990B1/en
Publication of EP4062990A1 publication Critical patent/EP4062990A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP4062990C0 publication Critical patent/EP4062990C0/en
Publication of EP4062990B1 publication Critical patent/EP4062990B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
    • A63H3/00—Dolls
    • A63H3/12—Double-faced dolls
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
    • A63H3/00—Dolls
    • A63H3/36—Details; Accessories
    • A63H3/365—Details; Accessories allowing a choice of facial features, e.g. to change the facial expression

Definitions

  • This invention is placed in the technical field of toys, and in particular, refers to a rotating system for facilitating the rotation of toys with multiple parts.
  • JP-U-S58131890 refers to a doll comprising a pair of auxiliary teeth for making contact with a plunger.
  • it is an object of the invention to provide a rotating system for toys which facilitates passing from one toy configuration to another by children.
  • the different configurations are given by different views of the same toy part.
  • the rotating system must be supple enough to facilitate the rotating action and on the other hand rigid enough to prevent unintended rotation.
  • An effortless snapping action is enabled which guarantees the toy is rotated correct view intended by the designer.
  • the rotating system prevents continuous changes of views unless an intentional force is exerted upon.
  • the rotating system enables intuitive manipulation without effort by children whilst ensuring the designer's intentions are respected as unintentional rotations are prevented.
  • FIG. 1 shows one aspect 100 of an example toy incorporating the rotating system of the invention.
  • the rotating system of the invention can be integrated into any toy comprising at least two parts, that is, a first part 110 and a second part 120.
  • the toy has a humanoid figure, with hair, a head, and the rest of the body, wherein the head corresponds to the first part 110 and the rest of the body to the second part 120.
  • the hair is optional as the toy exhibits the same rotating properties even without hair.
  • the rotating system of the invention enables rotating the head whilst the hair and the rest of the body remain unchanged.
  • the head is rotated.
  • this action can be achieved by holding the second part with one hand, while the head is rotated by the other hand.
  • this action can be achieved by holding both parts with one hand, while the head is rotated by passing the thumb over the face of the head.
  • the head is configured with three different faces, A, B, and C. However, only one of the faces, or head views, is visible from the same frontal angle (the central position of the letter represents the central view of the head, that is, a frontal looking face).
  • the view changes, and the face is made to change from A to B.
  • the view changes again, and the face is made to change from B to C.
  • the view changes yet again, and the face is made to change from C to A, that is, back to the initial face.
  • each face is designed differently (as an example, face A is a smiley face, face B a neutral look, and face C a sad face), children can easily swap faces with a simple action.
  • face A is a smiley face
  • face B a neutral look
  • face C a sad face
  • children can easily swap faces with a simple action.
  • the rotating action is bi-directional, that is, the views can change in both directions. As seen from above, one direction is defined from A to B to C in an anti-clockwise direction, whereas the other direction is defined from C to B to A in a clockwise direction.
  • the rotating system is configured to exhibit at least two properties.
  • a first property is that, once the rotating force applied to the first part is larger than a threshold, the first part continues to rotate until it stabilizes, or snaps into, the next stable state (corresponding to switching from one view to the next). This enables configuring a low threshold for small children or toddlers, so that it does not require much effort to start the movement. Further, as soon as the threshold is surpassed, the first part continues to rotate until it snaps into place in the next state. This snapping action is intuitive for children as they do not quite control the force they exert on toys, however, as soon as they start the rotation, they do not have to worry when to stop it, as the first part continues to rotate and stops in the required position. This is important as the required position corresponds to a full next face as intended by the designer, that is, a complete and correct face, and not one which remains partially, or completely, hidden due to an incomplete rotation by the child.
  • the second property of the rotating system is that it exhibits resistance to unwanted rotations. In this sense, once the first part snaps into place in one state, it requires another conscious action to change state again, as it will not continue rotating by itself. In other words, each snapping action places the first part into one stable state, which requires again a force above the threshold to cause rotation again into a next state.
  • the combined effect of both properties is that a toy results which enables children with little strength and coordination to play by trying out intuitive movements and causing a toy to completely change faces without effort, however without accidentally causing more than a single change at a time.
  • FIG. 2 shows another aspect 200 of the example toy of FIG. 1 incorporating the rotating system of the invention.
  • the rotating system of the invention comprises stopping means, which permits, within a same state, a small angular displacement of the first part with respect to the second part. This displacement does not require a force exceeding any threshold, and it also does not snap into place. It is a simple displacement, which proceeds to a maximum angle defined by the stopping means. In terms of the humanoid example, one such displacement represents the entire head of the humanoid looking approximately 45° to the right or to the left. The skilled person understands that a different angle can be set by a corresponding configuration of the stopping means. Whereas in the previous aspect the whole head changes views, in this aspect, the same view is maintained, however a slight change of angle is allowed.
  • the rotating system can be applied to any other configuration of at least two parts, wherein it is desired that one part rotates with respect to the other, thereby visualizing different views with different properties.
  • the toy can also be animal like, or any object like.
  • the first part is a head (without hair) with different faces
  • the second part is a support to rest the toy on a surface.
  • the support could be fixed to the surface, such as a table, and the head could be grasped by, for example, three fingers and made to rotate.
  • the first part is the top part of a space rocket
  • the second part is the bottom part, and by means of rotation different views of the top part can be visualized, for example, the contents inside an astronaut's quarters.
  • each part could comprise not only a different design, but also color, shape, dimension, or functionality, and the like. It would even be possible to construct a toy comprising more than one rotating system, thereby enabling a complex toy with multiple parts to exhibit a myriad of different possibilities.
  • a space station could have one rotating system configuring different views of the astronaut's quarters in relation to the main body of the station, whereas another rotating system would configure different views of a shuttle docked to the same station. Any combination is possible.
  • FIG. 3 shows the rotating system according to the preferred embodiment of the invention.
  • the rotating system comprises a top unit 310, a resilient component 320, a middle unit 330 and a bottom unit 340.
  • the top unit and the bottom unit are configured to fix together to form a single unit.
  • this fixing is achieved by means of a screw and hole configuration.
  • the bottom unit comprises a hole 342 configured with the dimensions to receive a corresponding screw 312. This facilitates mounting the structure by the skilled artisan.
  • the skilled artisan understands that other types of fixing configurations are also possible as long as the two units are fixed in such a manner that they do not fall apart whilst allowing minor relative rotational movement between them.
  • the top unit comprises a bottom interface 314 comprising an axially inwards extending protrusion (not shown), in this example, in the shape of a semicircle, configured to couple with a corresponding hollow 343 configured at the top interface 342 of the bottom unit 340.
  • This coupling enables a small relative movement between the top and bottom units, allowing the angular displacement of the head as depicted in FIG. 2 .
  • the stopping means comprises these corresponding engaging means, acting together to stop the rotation of the top unit more than a predetermined angle, for example, between 30° and 70° (although any other angle is also possible).
  • the top of the resilient member 320 abuts against the bottom of the top unit 310.
  • the top unit bottom interface 314 is configured to act as a stop, exerting a counterforce as the resilient component presses against the top unit.
  • the bottom unit 340 is configured to be fixed at its bottom end 348 to the second part 120 of the toy, to form a single unit, without any relative displacement between them.
  • the skilled artisan understands that other types of fixing configurations are also possible as long as the bottom unit and the second part are fixed in such a manner that there is no relative movement between them.
  • the bottom unit 340 is further dimensioned to pass through a through hole (not shown) of the middle unit 330.
  • the middle unit 330 comprises first part fixing means 334 configured to couple with the first part 110 in such a manner that an angular force exerted on the first part will couple to the middle unit, causing it to rotate as well.
  • the first part fixing means are two, oppositely placed, longitudinal guides configured to fit into corresponding longitudinal rails (not shown) configured inside the first part.
  • the middle unit 330 comprises a top interface 332 for contacting the top unit 310 allowing relative movement between them.
  • the top interface 332 comprises a through hole (not shown) for allowing the passage of the aforementioned screw 312.
  • the top interface 332 further comprises a perimetral seat with a diameter configured for lodging the resilient component 320, such as a spring.
  • the perimetral seat is so configured that, when the rotating system is assembled, in part by bringing the top unit and the middle unit together, with the resilient component in between, held together by the screw, a space is left between the top and middle units, allowing the longitudinal displacement of the middle unit to and from the top unit. The space also allows the resilient component to contract and expand.
  • the middle unit 330 comprises a bottom interface 338 for contacting the bottom unit 340 allowing relative movement between them.
  • the middle unit bottom interface 338 comprises a through hole dimensioned to receive the top of the bottom unit.
  • the top of the bottom unit comprises a cylinder-shaped part 344 configured to pass through the middle unit through hole.
  • the middle unit bottom interface 338 comprises engaging means 336 configured to moveably engage with corresponding bottom unit 340 engaging means 346.
  • the engaging means are configured in such a manner that a relative rotational movement between the two units will cause the middle unit to displace up and down.
  • the engaging means are a saw-toothed configuration, wherein displaced versions of the same engaging means are configured in both the middle unit and the bottom unit, so that they fit into eachother interspaced, like the top and bottom rows of human teeth do.
  • the interface is configured with a saw-toothed configuration of three peaks and corresponding three troughs. This enables configuring a first part 110 with three different views (or faces). On the other hand, any other number of views or faces can be configured as a function of the number of peaks and troughs of the saw-toothed interface.
  • the bottom unit is passed through the middle unit bottom through hole.
  • the resilient component is placed on the middle unit top interface.
  • the top unit is abutted against the resilient member and pressed down, sandwiching the resilient component and the middle unit between the top and bottom units.
  • the top and bottom units are screwed together. This completes the assembly of the rotating system.
  • this rotating system can be integrated or assembled together with any toy with comprises at least two parts.
  • the fourth step it is possible, after the fourth step, to attach the toy first part 110 to the middle unit fixing means 334, that is, after assembling the rotating system.
  • the toy first part 110 can be attached after the first step and before the second step, depending on assembly line preferences.
  • the bottom unit it is possible to attach the toy second part 120 to the bottom unit bottom end 348 at any point depending on assembly line preferences, for example, before the first step, after the fourth step, or at any other step of the rotating system assembly.
  • FIG. 4 shows an amplified view of the components of the example toy of FIG. 1 , depicting separately the rotating system of the invention, the first part1 10, the second part 120, and the optional hair components.
  • the first part section comprises the middle unit 330 and the first part 110 coupled, or otherwise fixed, together.
  • the second part section comprises the top unit 310, the resilient component 320, the bottom unit 340, and the second part 120, coupled, or otherwise fixed, together.
  • the peaks and corresponding troughs of the bottom and middle unit interfaces are coupled together and resting in a stable state (peak - trough state).
  • the second part 120 is normally held with one hand, while the first part 110 is rotated.
  • the teeth and troughs separate from eachother, as allowed by the vertical spacing between the middle and top units, as the resilient component contracts (that is, the spring coils). If, before reaching the peak of the teeth (peak - peak state), the rotating movement is stopped and the parts released, they will fall back to their previous state (peak - trough state) under the counter-force exercised by the resilient component. In other words, the spring recoils and as it expands, forces the two parts to separate.
  • each tooth will fall into the next trough, and due to the pressure exercised by the resilient component, complete its rotation to the next stable position (next peak - trough state), where they are completely coupled in resting position again.
  • This completes the description of one rotation movement changing a single view of the first part 110 in relation to the second part 120.
  • the interface parameters can be configured in such a manner to set a threshold which allows small children and toddlers to make a rotation action easily, without effort. As soon as the threshold is overcome, the first part will completely rotate into its next view, and fall into place, or snap, without complication. Due to the features described, the rotation is not continued, as it requires another intentional rotation action before effecting another view change.
  • the features of the different embodiments and aspects of the invention provide a rotating system for toys which facilitates the simple and intuitive depiction of different views by children.
  • An effortless snapping action is enabled which guarantees the toy is rotated to the correct view intended by the designer.
  • the rotation does not cause continuous changes of views unless intentional force is exerted upon.
  • the rotating system enables intuitive manipulation without effort by children whilst ensuring the designer's intentions are respected as unintentional rotations are prevented.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (AREA)
  • Toys (AREA)
EP21165015.5A 2021-03-25 2021-03-25 Rotating system for toys Active EP4062990B1 (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PL21165015.5T PL4062990T3 (pl) 2021-03-25 2021-03-25 Układ obrotowy do zabawek
ES21165015T ES2957457T3 (es) 2021-03-25 2021-03-25 Sistema giratorio para juguetes
EP21165015.5A EP4062990B1 (en) 2021-03-25 2021-03-25 Rotating system for toys

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP21165015.5A EP4062990B1 (en) 2021-03-25 2021-03-25 Rotating system for toys

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4062990A1 EP4062990A1 (en) 2022-09-28
EP4062990C0 EP4062990C0 (en) 2023-09-06
EP4062990B1 true EP4062990B1 (en) 2023-09-06

Family

ID=75252299

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP21165015.5A Active EP4062990B1 (en) 2021-03-25 2021-03-25 Rotating system for toys

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP4062990B1 (es)
ES (1) ES2957457T3 (es)
PL (1) PL4062990T3 (es)

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS58131890U (ja) * 1982-02-27 1983-09-06 設楽　庄治 早替り人形
JPS60190385U (ja) * 1984-05-25 1985-12-17 株式会社　タカラ 人形玩具
ES281474Y (es) * 1984-09-14 1986-05-01 Juguetes Feber, S.A. Muneca de caras cambiantes
JPH0350955Y2 (es) * 1985-11-20 1991-10-30
CN108176056B (zh) * 2018-01-08 2023-12-29 东莞市金钐科技有限公司 一种变脸发声公仔

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
PL4062990T3 (pl) 2023-11-27
ES2957457T3 (es) 2024-01-19
EP4062990C0 (en) 2023-09-06
EP4062990A1 (en) 2022-09-28

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