GB2086741A

GB2086741A - Model figures

Info

Publication number: GB2086741A
Application number: GB8133252A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Kader Ind Co Ltd
Current assignee: Kader Ind Co Ltd
Priority date: 1980-11-05
Filing date: 1981-11-04
Publication date: 1982-05-19
Also published as: GB2086741B

Abstract

The limbs, for example the legs of a model figure, comprise an insert 1 of sheet metal material around which is moulded a plastics material to form the legs 12, 13. The upper and lower parts of each leg are respectively formed into a channel to give strength and relative rigidity while the planar joint between the two, representing the knee, is capable of being bent to represent flexing of the knee. The link 3 between the head of the two legs is likewise planar to allow relative movement of the legs to allow the creation of various natural positions. The link 7 is present during manufacture, but is removed after moulding. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements relating to model figures particularly dolls This invention relates to model figures, particularly dolls, and is directed towards an improved construction of the limbs or torso of such figures to enable life-like movement of the body to take place.

In the invention the body comprises an insert of rigid material, preferably thin metal sheet, around which the required exterior shape of the body is formed in plastics material, the insert being shaped so as to provide points of relative weakness where bending of the body may take place when pressure is applied. Preferably the plastics material is moulded around the insert.

This invention may be applied to the limbs -arms and legs of model figures of both human and animal form, and may also, in certain circumstances be used to manufacture the torso-body, head and neck portion-of such a figure. In an embodiment of the invention pairs of limbs are formed about a single insert to enable that part of the insert joining the two limbs to be relatively weakened to act as a joint between the limbs.

Two embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figures 1 and 2 show front and edge views respectively of a first embodiment of an insert for use in the present invention; Figures 3 and 4 are views similar to Figs. 1 and 2 respectively of a second embodiment of an insert for use in the invention; Figures 5 and 6 are sectional views along the lines V-V and VI-VI respectively of Fig.

3; Figures 7 and 8 are front and side views respectively or a pair of legs for a doll made using the insert of Figs. 3 to 6; and Figures 9 to 12 show various positions which may be taken up by the legs shown in Figs. 7 and 8.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the insert comprises a flat sheet of metal which is stamped out to the shape shown in Fig. 1. The particular insert shown is intended for use in fabricating the legs and feet of a doll and comprises two elongate portions 1, 2 corresponding to the legs of the doll which are joined at their upper ends by a relatively narrow link portion 3. It will be seen that the width of the respective leg portions 1, 2 varies along their length, being relatively wide along the lines 4-4 and 5-5 and significantly narrower along the line 6-6. If an attempt is made to bend the insert out of the plane of the paper, the tendency will be for the bending to take place at this narrowed portion which may thus constitute the knee joint of the doll.

For convenience in manufacturing, the bottom ends of the leg portions 1, 2 are likewise joined, by a link 7, but this latter link may be removed after manufacture to enable the feet to be moved apart. To this end, the link 7 is joined to the portion 1, 2 by narrow portions 8 which may easily be broken.

In order to form the feet of the doll, a narrow lug 9 is formed at the bottom of each of the leg portions adjacent the outside edges of the link 7, these links being bent to the position shown in Fig. 2 to enable the feet to be formed.

During manufacture of a pair of doll's legs using the insert of Figs. 1 and 2, the insert is located in a mould (not shown) by means of the links 3 and 7 and a suitable soft plastics material introduced into the mould. During moulding, plastics material enters the apertures 10 in the metal sheet to thereby ensure that the insert is securely held within the plastics moulding.

Referring now to Figs. 3 to 6 there is shown a second insert in which the strength of the leg portions 1, 2 is varied along their length by bending certain parts of the leg portions (those that are to remain rigid) to form a channel section, shown in detail in Figs. 5 and 6 under reference 11. The line 6-6 once more corresponds to the knee joint since this part remains planar and thus relatively weak. Other parts are the same as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Figs. 7 and 8 are views corresponding to Figs. 3 and 4 respectively showing the outline of the finished pair of legs. Although in practice both legs will be moulded simultaneously, they are in fact seperate, the left leg being shown under reference 1 2 and the right leg under reference 1 3. The legs are joined by links 3 and 7, the latter of which, as has already been mentioned, is removed after manufacture. The link 3, however remains as the only link between the legs, and enables a variety of realistic leg positions to be taken up, as will become clear.

Figs. 9 to 1 2 illustrate a variety of basic positions which the legs and feet of Figs. 3 and 4 may take up. Twisting of the link 3 enables the legs to be bent into a walking position (Fig. 9). Also, both the left and right legs can move forwards and backwards to simulate the action of walking. The legs can also be moved apart as shown in Fig. 11. Fig.

10 shows the movement of the feet by bending the lug 9 backwards and forwards. Fig.

1 2 shows bending of the knee about the line of weakness 6-6. It will be appreciated that combinations of these various movements and positions will enable the doll to take up a wide variety of realistic positions which can be changed at will many times over.

1. A model figure in which the body of

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements relating to model figures particularly dolls This invention relates to model figures, particularly dolls, and is directed towards an improved construction of the limbs or torso of such figures to enable life-like movement of the body to take place. In the invention the body comprises an insert of rigid material, preferably thin metal sheet, around which the required exterior shape of the body is formed in plastics material, the insert being shaped so as to provide points of relative weakness where bending of the body may take place when pressure is applied. Preferably the plastics material is moulded around the insert. This invention may be applied to the limbs -arms and legs of model figures of both human and animal form, and may also, in certain circumstances be used to manufacture the torso-body, head and neck portion-of such a figure. In an embodiment of the invention pairs of limbs are formed about a single insert to enable that part of the insert joining the two limbs to be relatively weakened to act as a joint between the limbs. Two embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figures 1 and 2 show front and edge views respectively of a first embodiment of an insert for use in the present invention; Figures 3 and 4 are views similar to Figs. 1 and 2 respectively of a second embodiment of an insert for use in the invention; Figures 5 and 6 are sectional views along the lines V-V and VI-VI respectively of Fig. 3; Figures 7 and 8 are front and side views respectively or a pair of legs for a doll made using the insert of Figs. 3 to 6; and Figures 9 to 12 show various positions which may be taken up by the legs shown in Figs. 7 and 8. Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the insert comprises a flat sheet of metal which is stamped out to the shape shown in Fig. 1. The particular insert shown is intended for use in fabricating the legs and feet of a doll and comprises two elongate portions 1, 2 corresponding to the legs of the doll which are joined at their upper ends by a relatively narrow link portion 3. It will be seen that the width of the respective leg portions 1, 2 varies along their length, being relatively wide along the lines 4-4 and 5-5 and significantly narrower along the line 6-6. If an attempt is made to bend the insert out of the plane of the paper, the tendency will be for the bending to take place at this narrowed portion which may thus constitute the knee joint of the doll. For convenience in manufacturing, the bottom ends of the leg portions 1, 2 are likewise joined, by a link 7, but this latter link may be removed after manufacture to enable the feet to be moved apart. To this end, the link 7 is joined to the portion 1, 2 by narrow portions 8 which may easily be broken. In order to form the feet of the doll, a narrow lug 9 is formed at the bottom of each of the leg portions adjacent the outside edges of the link 7, these links being bent to the position shown in Fig. 2 to enable the feet to be formed. During manufacture of a pair of doll's legs using the insert of Figs. 1 and 2, the insert is located in a mould (not shown) by means of the links 3 and 7 and a suitable soft plastics material introduced into the mould. During moulding, plastics material enters the apertures 10 in the metal sheet to thereby ensure that the insert is securely held within the plastics moulding. Referring now to Figs. 3 to 6 there is shown a second insert in which the strength of the leg portions 1, 2 is varied along their length by bending certain parts of the leg portions (those that are to remain rigid) to form a channel section, shown in detail in Figs. 5 and 6 under reference 11. The line 6-6 once more corresponds to the knee joint since this part remains planar and thus relatively weak. Other parts are the same as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Figs. 7 and 8 are views corresponding to Figs. 3 and 4 respectively showing the outline of the finished pair of legs. Although in practice both legs will be moulded simultaneously, they are in fact seperate, the left leg being shown under reference 1 2 and the right leg under reference 1 3. The legs are joined by links 3 and 7, the latter of which, as has already been mentioned, is removed after manufacture. The link 3, however remains as the only link between the legs, and enables a variety of realistic leg positions to be taken up, as will become clear. Figs. 9 to 1 2 illustrate a variety of basic positions which the legs and feet of Figs. 3 and 4 may take up. Twisting of the link 3 enables the legs to be bent into a walking position (Fig. 9). Also, both the left and right legs can move forwards and backwards to simulate the action of walking. The legs can also be moved apart as shown in Fig. 11. Fig. 10 shows the movement of the feet by bending the lug 9 backwards and forwards. Fig. 1 2 shows bending of the knee about the line of weakness 6-6. It will be appreciated that combinations of these various movements and positions will enable the doll to take up a wide variety of realistic positions which can be changed at will many times over. CLAIMS

1. A model figure in which the body of the figure comprises an insert of rigid material around which the exterior shape of the body is formed in flexible plastics material, said insert being shaped so as to provide points of relative weakness where bending of the body may take place when pressure is applied.

2. A model figure as claimed in claim 1 wherein the plastics material is moulded around the insert.

3. A model figure as claimed in either one of claims 1 or 2 wherein the points of weakness comprise portions of said insert which are of reduced cross sectional area.

4. A model figure as claimed in claim 3 wherein the insert is made of sheet material and wherein said points of weakness comprise areas of reduced width.

5. A model figure as claimed in either one of claims 1 or 2 wherein the insert is made of sheet material which is bent out of its normal plane to form channel section, with said points of weakness being formed by planar sections of said sheet material.

6. A model figure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein each set of limbs, legs or arms, is formed by a single one of said inserts, and wherein the joint between the head of the limbs is formed as a point of relative weakness to allow movement as between the two limbs.

7. A model figure as claimed in claim 6 wherein the limbs are the legs of a model figure, and wherein the insert is initially joined in the area of the feet by a bridge of said sheet material which is joined to the remainder of the sheet material by a weakened portion so that, after embedding in the plastics material, the bridge can be broken away and removed.

8. A model figure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.