GB1579958A - Mobile reconfigurable spherical toy - Google Patents

Description

(54) MOBILE RECONFIGURABLE SPHERICAL TOY (71) We, TAKARA COMPANY LIMITED, a company organised under the laws of Japan, of No. 19-16, 4-Chome, Aoto, Katsushika Ku, Tokyo, Japan, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to a toy assembly and more particularly to a toy which can easily be assembled and dismantled to form a variety of different configurations.

Various spherically shaped toys are already known that are self-energised and mobile.

The general purpose of these known toys has been to stimulate interest in them by virtue of their capacity for locomotion.

Examples of such known toys are those disclosed in U.S. Patent Specifications Nos.

2,939,246 and 3,722,134.

The known prior art to date has not provided a spherical toy combination that is compatible with the concept of a simulated operator-controlled vehicle which can be further broken into sub-components for assembly into other toy configurations, either alone or with additional accessory parts.

According to the present invention, there is provided a toy comprising a plurality of components which can be selectively combined and assembled to form any one of a variety of different configurations, said components including a base member having first and second side walls, said base member containing a main driving means which is arranged to drive first and second axially aligned output shaft end parts rotatably supported by and projecting axially outwardly from said first and second side walls; two auxiliary output shafts which can be removably mounted in said first and second side walls respectively for rotation about a common axis parallel to the axis of said first and second shaft end parts and have third and fourth shaft end parts which, in the mounted condition of said auxiliary output shafts, project axially outwardly from the first and second wall parts respectively; removable auxiliary drive-transmitting means for drivably connecting said first and second shaft end parts to said third and fourth shaft end parts respectively; a plurality of section members, each having a part-spherical convex main surface, said section members including first and second section members each provided with means for removably connecting it to the base member between the first and second side walls with its convex main surface facing away from the base member, and two circular-rimmed section members having central bores whereby said circular-rimmed section members can be selectively engaged in drive-transmitting relationship with either the first and second shaft end parts respectively or the third and fourth shaft end parts respectively, and a leg member detachably connectable by one of its ends to said second section member so that it projects outwardly therefrom and provided at its other end with a freely rotatable roller; whereby either a spherical toy can be produced by assembling the base member and all the section members without the auxiliary shafts and the auxiliary drive-transmitting means; or a mainly spherical power-driven toy can be produced by forming an assembly corresponding to that employed to produce said spherical toy except that the first section member is omitted so that the circular-rimmed section members can engage a ground surface and, when driven by the main driving means, will propel said power-driven toy; or a power-driven toy vehicle having body side walls formed by said first and second side walls can be produced by assembling the base member with the first and second section members and the auxiliary shafts, assembling the auxiliary driving means to provide driving connections from said first and second shaft end parts to said third and fourth shaft end parts respectively, assembling the circularrimmed section members on the third and fourth shaft end parts with the convex main surfaces of said circular-rimmed section members facing towards each other and connecting said one end of said leg member to said second section member so that said roller and circular-rimmed section members can support the power-driven toy vehicle by roll ing engagement with a ground surface at three points corresponding to the apices of a triangle.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a toy according to a preferred embodiment of the invention Figure 2 is an exploded view of the toy shown in Figure 1, Figure 3 is an exploded view of a base member of this toy, and Figure 4 is an exploded view illustrating a reconfiguration of this toy.

As illustrated in Figure 2, the preferred embodiment of the invention includes a cabin member 11 serving as a base member to which various part-spherical sections 13, 15, 17 and 19 are snap-fitted or press-fitted by various means so that they may be easily removed and re-attached. The rear cover section 13 is attached to the cabin member 11 by means of a plug 21 (Figure 4) which fits into the centre one of three apertures 23 in the rear of the cabin member 11. The lower section 15 includes two slots 25, 27 which are spaced so as to snap fit onto two respective nubs attached to the cabin member 11. One of these nubs 29 is shown and the other is identical thereto and located generally at 31 on the opposite underside of the cabin member 11.The canopy section 19 includes two tabs 33 which may be snap-fitted into respective apertures 35 in the cabin member by a slight flexure of the canopy section 19.

Finally, two dish sections 17 are attached to respective drive shaft hubs 37 on either side of the cabin member 11. The canopy section 19 and the lower section 15 are preferably composed of a transparent plastics material.

This transparent canopy section 19 enhances the concept of an operator controlled feature. The toy is proportioned to receive a small doll figure (not shown) that can be mounted within the cabin. The doll figure can be utilized as a central character or operator figure in a number of different separate toys and subassembled toys from the component parts of the present toy.

The surfaces 38, 39 of the cabin member 11 are of substantially part spherical contour so that, when the part spherical sections 13, 15, 17, and 19 are fitted to the cabin member 11, a substantially ball-shaped object results. The drive hubs 37 of the cabin member 11 may be rotated by actuation of a switch 40 by means to be described below in conjunction with the discussion of Fig. 2. The drive hubs are so placed on the cabin member 11 and the lower section 15 is so dimensioned that when the section 15 is removed, the dish sections 17 may be rotated by the hubs 37 so as to drive the toy across a surface. The means for actuating the drive hub 37 may be powered by batteries placed in a battery storage compartment 41.

The cabin member 11, which is shown in more detail in Fig. 3, includes two seatshaped members 43, 45, having a number of apertures for performing various functions and adapted to receive one or more doll operators. The cabin interior contains means for locomoting the toy, including electric drive means and a rotatable cylinder. One feature of the cabin structure is the retaining of the elements of the electric drive means and the cylinder in then proper positions by merely joining the cabin halves together.

Among the apertures in the seat-shaped members 43, 45 are front apertures 65, 67 which retain an insert 63 containing press-fit apertures. The insert 63 has an edge 66 which is contoured to slide-fit into the seats provided by the front apertures 65, 67. The insert 63 provides additional flexibility in assembling the toy in various configurations.

To actuate the drive hubs 37, the cabin 11 includes an electric motor 69 mounted by means of a motor mounting bracket 71. This mounting bracket 71 is attached to the seat member 45 by means of screws inverted through apertures 79, 77 in the mounting brackets and engaged in screw threaded holes in respective mounting posts 73, 75 moulded as part of the seat member 45.

The motor 69 rotates the drive hubs 37 via a gear train including a number of parallel shafts and associated gears. A first gear 81 is fixed to the drive shaft of the motor 69. The first gear 81 in turn drives a second gear 83 mounted on a first shaft 85 which rotates in an aperture 86 in the motor mounting bracket 71 and an aperture moulded into the seat member 45. The first shaft 85 carries a third gear 87, smaller than the second gear 83, which drives a larger fourth gear 89 mounted on a second shaft 55. The second shaft 55 carries a fifth gear 91 smaller than the fourth gear 89, which drives a drive gear 93 fixed to the drive shaft 51 on the ends of which are provided the two drive hubs 37. Thus, a drive means is provided which is compact and simply assembled.

The power for the motor 69 is supplied by batteries stored in the battery storage compartment 41 which is slidably fitted onto the moulded edge 95 of the seat member 45 and is secured against lateral displacement by a U-shaped projection 97, which clamps onto an edge 99 of the motor mounting bracket 71 when the seat members 45, 43 are joined together.

To retain the battery storage compartment 41, a roller 61, press-fit apertures 63, the motor mounting bracket 71 and the associated drive apparatus, the seat members 43, 45 are guided together by means of pins 101 which slidably engage in complimentary apertures in the adjacent seat members. The seat members may then be securely fastened by screws fixed at points 103, 105, thereby completing the simple assembly of the toy cabin.

Fig. 4 illustrates a configuration of the preferred embodiment of the invention in which additional elements including a pulley member 113 having plug tips 115, 116 and a flexible drive belt 119 may be utilized to provide a wheel driven vehicle. In this configuration, the dish section 17 is reversed and its press-fit aperture 117 is fitted onto the plug tip 115 of the pulley member 113. The second plug tip 116 of the pulley member 113 is inserted through an aperture 59 in the cabin member 11 into the cylindrical roller 61 described in connection with Fig. 3 above. In addition, a plug 20 on the rear cover section 13 may be inserted into one of the press-fit apertures 23 (Fig. 1) to provide a tail turret.

A leg member 121 pivotable at a point 122 may additionally be press-fitted into an aperture on the part-spherical side of the rear cover section 13 in order to provide a support.

Alternatively, the leg member 121 may be connected to a press-fit, U-shaped member 123 holding a snap-fitted roller 125 to provide a rolling support for the tail turret.

The element of Fig. 4 may also be assembled to provide a rotating antenna configuration.

In this configuration, one of the dish sections 17 is placed on a flat surface such as a table to act as a base member, The cabin 11 is then placed on its side with the drive shaft hub 37 fitted directly into the press-fit aperture 117 of the dish section. A pulley member 113 mounted in the roller 61 on the now top side of the cabin member 11 is used to drive the second dish section 17 which now represents a radar antenna and is snapped onto the leg member 121 attached to the pulley member 113.

Except for the electrical components, shafts, and motor, the toy according to the preferred embodiment of the invention is entirely constructed of plastics components.

However, other materials could be used.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A toy comprising a plurality of components which can be selectively combined and assembled to form any one of a variety of different configurations, said components including a base member having first and second side walls, said base member containing a main driving means which is arranged to drive first and second axially aligned output shaft end parts rotatably supported by and projecting axially outwardly from said first and second side walls; two auxiliary output shafts which can be removably mounted in said first and second side walls respectively for rotation about a common axis parallel to the axis of said first and second shaft end parts and have third and fourth shaft end parts which, in the mounted condition of said auxiliary output shafts, project axially outwardly from the first and second wall parts respectively; removable auxiliary drive-transmitting means for drivably connecting said first and second shaft end parts to said third and fourth shaft end parts respectively; a plurality of section members, each having a part-spherical convex main surface, said section members including first and second section members each provided with means for removably connecting it to the base member between the first and second side walls with its convex main surface facing away from the base member, and two circularrimmed section members having central bores whereby said circular-rimmed section members can be selectively engaged in drivetransmitting relationship with either the first and second shaft end parts respectively or the third and fourth shaft end parts respectively, and a leg member detachably connectable by one of its ends to said second section member so that it projects outwardly therefrom and provided at its other end with a freely rotatable roller; whereby either a spherical toy can be produced by assembling the base member and all the section members without the auxiliary shafts and the auxiliary drivetransmitting means; or a mainly spherical power-driven toy can be produced by forming an assembly corresponding to that employed to produce said spherical toy except that the first section member is omitted so that the circular-rimmed section members can engage a ground surface and, when driven by the main driving means, will propel said powerdriven toy; or a power-driven toy vehicle having body side walls formed by said first and second side walls can be produced by assembling the base member with the first and second section members and the auxiliary shafts, assembling the auxiliary driving means to provide driving connections from said first and second shaft end parts to said third and fourth shaft end parts respectively, assembling the circular-rimmed section members on the third and fourth shaft end parts with the convex main surfaces of said circular-rimmed section members facing towards each other and connecting said one end of said leg member to said second section member so that said roller and said circular-rimmed section members can support the powerdriven toy vehicle by rolling engagement with a ground surface at three points corresponding to the apices of a triangle.

2. A toy according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of section members includes a third section member which is transparent and is provided with means for removably connecting it to the base member, between the first and second side walls and in a position spaced from said first and second section

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (3)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. by screws fixed at points 103, 105, thereby completing the simple assembly of the toy cabin. Fig. 4 illustrates a configuration of the preferred embodiment of the invention in which additional elements including a pulley member 113 having plug tips 115, 116 and a flexible drive belt 119 may be utilized to provide a wheel driven vehicle. In this configuration, the dish section 17 is reversed and its press-fit aperture 117 is fitted onto the plug tip 115 of the pulley member 113. The second plug tip 116 of the pulley member 113 is inserted through an aperture 59 in the cabin member 11 into the cylindrical roller 61 described in connection with Fig. 3 above. In addition, a plug 20 on the rear cover section 13 may be inserted into one of the press-fit apertures 23 (Fig. 1) to provide a tail turret. A leg member 121 pivotable at a point 122 may additionally be press-fitted into an aperture on the part-spherical side of the rear cover section 13 in order to provide a support. Alternatively, the leg member 121 may be connected to a press-fit, U-shaped member 123 holding a snap-fitted roller 125 to provide a rolling support for the tail turret. The element of Fig. 4 may also be assembled to provide a rotating antenna configuration. In this configuration, one of the dish sections 17 is placed on a flat surface such as a table to act as a base member, The cabin 11 is then placed on its side with the drive shaft hub 37 fitted directly into the press-fit aperture 117 of the dish section. A pulley member 113 mounted in the roller 61 on the now top side of the cabin member 11 is used to drive the second dish section 17 which now represents a radar antenna and is snapped onto the leg member 121 attached to the pulley member 113. Except for the electrical components, shafts, and motor, the toy according to the preferred embodiment of the invention is entirely constructed of plastics components. However, other materials could be used. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A toy comprising a plurality of components which can be selectively combined and assembled to form any one of a variety of different configurations, said components including a base member having first and second side walls, said base member containing a main driving means which is arranged to drive first and second axially aligned output shaft end parts rotatably supported by and projecting axially outwardly from said first and second side walls; two auxiliary output shafts which can be removably mounted in said first and second side walls respectively for rotation about a common axis parallel to the axis of said first and second shaft end parts and have third and fourth shaft end parts which, in the mounted condition of said auxiliary output shafts, project axially outwardly from the first and second wall parts respectively; removable auxiliary drive-transmitting means for drivably connecting said first and second shaft end parts to said third and fourth shaft end parts respectively; a plurality of section members, each having a part-spherical convex main surface, said section members including first and second section members each provided with means for removably connecting it to the base member between the first and second side walls with its convex main surface facing away from the base member, and two circularrimmed section members having central bores whereby said circular-rimmed section members can be selectively engaged in drivetransmitting relationship with either the first and second shaft end parts respectively or the third and fourth shaft end parts respectively, and a leg member detachably connectable by one of its ends to said second section member so that it projects outwardly therefrom and provided at its other end with a freely rotatable roller; whereby either a spherical toy can be produced by assembling the base member and all the section members without the auxiliary shafts and the auxiliary drivetransmitting means; or a mainly spherical power-driven toy can be produced by forming an assembly corresponding to that employed to produce said spherical toy except that the first section member is omitted so that the circular-rimmed section members can engage a ground surface and, when driven by the main driving means, will propel said powerdriven toy; or a power-driven toy vehicle having body side walls formed by said first and second side walls can be produced by assembling the base member with the first and second section members and the auxiliary shafts, assembling the auxiliary driving means to provide driving connections from said first and second shaft end parts to said third and fourth shaft end parts respectively, assembling the circular-rimmed section members on the third and fourth shaft end parts with the convex main surfaces of said circular-rimmed section members facing towards each other and connecting said one end of said leg member to said second section member so that said roller and said circular-rimmed section members can support the powerdriven toy vehicle by rolling engagement with a ground surface at three points corresponding to the apices of a triangle.

2. A toy according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of section members includes a third section member which is transparent and is provided with means for removably connecting it to the base member, between the first and second side walls and in a position spaced from said first and second section

members with its convex main surface facing away from the base member.

3. A toy substantially as described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.