JP2005168438A - Rolling toy - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a toy for a pet effective for continuing the play of the toy with a pet, or the like, to continue the pleasure of a keeper of the pet looking at the playing pet. <P>SOLUTION: This rolling toy is composed of an outer shell member 2 having a freely rolling shape, a sensor 21 placed in the outer shell member 2 and detecting the information transmitted from the outside of the shell member 2, and an electric eccentric mechanism 3 placed in the outer shell member 2 to deviate the gravity center of the outer shell member 2 by the action of an electric driving tool 8 according to the reception of a detection signal transmitted from the sensor 21. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a rolling toy.

  A variety of pet toys have been proposed today to increase the interaction with pets such as dogs and cats. Roughly classifying them into cubes and polyhedrons, they are rolling types that roll irregularly unlike balls (see Patent Document 1 etc.), so that they stand up in a certain direction even if they are tilted by the built-in eccentric weight. The rising type (see Patent Documents 2 and 3, etc.), the bite type (see Patent Document 4 etc.) provided with protrusions so that pets can easily bite, owners and onlookers (hereinafter referred to as “Owners etc.”) are far away A pick-up stick type (see Patent Documents 5 and 6, etc.) that can be thrown to a pet and picked up by a pet. Some of these were expected to maintain the interest of pets by incorporating a sounding body (see Patent Documents 5 and 6). The sounding body here is a bell.

All of these items are made mainly for the owners to enjoy their smiles and liveliness by seeing their pets playing.
JP-A-10-117623 JP 2002-78430 A JP 2003-245026 A Special table 2002-527086 gazette JP-A-10-136826 JP 2002-262697 A

In the above-described conventionally known toys for pets, since the taste is simple, there has been a case where a pet or the like gets bored immediately. It was no exception even with a built-in sounding body. Therefore, of course, it cannot be fully enjoyed by owners and the like.
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and when used as a toy for pets, the play by a pet or the like can be sustained, thereby maintaining the enjoyment of the owner or the like who sees the situation. The purpose is to provide a rolling toy that can be used.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a rolling toy that can be laid not only as a pet toy but also as a human toy.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has taken the following measures.
That is, the rolling toy 1 according to the present invention is provided from the outside of the outer shell member 2 provided in the outer shell member 2 and the outer shell member 2 formed in a spherical shape or a similar rollable shape. Sensor 21 for detecting the detected information and the position of the center of gravity of the outer shell member 2 when the detection signal is received from the sensor 21 provided in the outer shell member 2 by the operation of the electric actuator 8 (motor or the like). And an electric eccentric mechanism 3 to be operated.
Since it is such a configuration, for example, when this rolling toy 1 is used as a pet toy, some information (such as the fact that a pet or the like has approached this rolling toy 1) is given to the outer shell member 2, When the sensor 21 detects this information, the electric eccentric mechanism 3 that has received the detection signal from the sensor 21 is electrically operated by the power supply from the power source 10.

Since the outer shell member 2 has a spherical shape or a freely rollable shape similar to this (for example, a polyhedron or an elliptical sphere such as a racby ball), the center of gravity of the outer shell member 2 is decentered by the operation of the electric eccentric mechanism 3. Then, the outer shell member 2 performs an operation of rolling itself to balance the center of gravity balance after the eccentricity.
When the rolling toy 1 rolls in this way, the rolling direction is a direction that is completely unpredictable in appearance, and it moves away from or approaches the pet. Therefore, a pet or the like who has been surprised and witnessed this has a strong interest in this movement, and even if it escapes from the rolling toy 1 in some cases, it tries to approach it while asking. Accordingly, the rolling toy 1 receives this and moves away from or approaches the pet. By repeating these operations, pets and the like can play with the rolling toy 1 continuously.

From these owners, it seems that the owners, etc., see that the pets, etc., roll around the rolling toy 1 that moves around. it can.
The sensor 21, the electric eccentric mechanism 3, and the power source 10 are built in the outer shell member 2, and are not exposed in appearance. Therefore, not only the appearance is good, but also the sensor 21, the electric eccentric mechanism 3, and the power source 10 are prevented from being damaged by contact or impact, and further, damage from saliva such as pets or rainwater is also prevented.

  The outer shell member 2 has a structure that can be freely disassembled into a plurality of divided bodies 2A and 2B or assembled into the original shape, and an on / off switch 20 of the power source 10 is provided in a portion exposed by disassembly. It is preferable to leave. In this case, the switch 20 is not accidentally switched from on to off when the outer shell member 2 rolls, bites with a pet, or when the owner or the like handles it. Further, there is an advantage that the switch 20 can be prevented from being damaged by contact or impact or from being damaged by saliva or rain water from a pet or the like.

  The outer shell member 2 is preferably set in size with a spherical shape having a diameter of 5 cm to 20 cm as a guide. This size can be said to be a size suitable for a pet or the like and is structurally suitable. In other words, if the diameter is smaller than 5 cm, there is a risk that the pet or the owner who sees it will lose sight when it rolls far away. In the first place, the sensor 21 and the electric eccentricity are moved into the outer shell member 2. It is structurally difficult to incorporate the mechanism 3 and the power supply 10. On the other hand, when the diameter exceeds 20 cm, it becomes difficult for pets to handle. Unlike the case of targeting a pet or the like, for example, in the case of a human target, the diameter may exceed 20 cm.

The sensor 21 can be an optical sensor that detects the incidence or blockage of light. In this way, it is possible to detect that a pet or the like has approached. Note that a vibration sensor, a pressure sensor, a speed sensor, a pyroelectric sensor, a proximity switch, and the like may be employed.
The electric eccentric mechanism 3 is provided in the outer shell member 2 so as to be disposed in a position crossing the position of the center of gravity of the outer shell member 2, and in a position deviated from the axial center in the radial direction with respect to the pivot support shaft 6. An eccentric weight 7 is provided, and the eccentric weight 7 can be turned around the axis of the turning support shaft 6 by the electric actuator 8. In other words, it uses the principle of spilling up, and it is mechanistic and concise, and it can be produced at a relatively low price, but it can be seen and enjoyed.

The eccentric weight 7 of the electric eccentric mechanism 3 may be formed by the electric actuator 8 or its driving power source 10. As a result, it is not necessary to separately provide the eccentric weight 7 independently, and the simplification and the cost reduction of the structure can be further promoted.
The electric eccentric mechanism 3 preferably has a control circuit that switches the rotation direction irregularly forward and backward by setting the rotation angle of the eccentric weight 7 to less than 180 °. By doing in this way, a pet, an owner, etc. cannot predict at all about the distance and direction which the outer shell member 2 rolls, and a surprising property can be maintained. In other words, never get tired of watching.

The electric eccentric mechanism 3 can be provided with an audio circuit 25 that operates for a predetermined time when a detection signal is received from the sensor 21. The audio circuit 25 generates sound such as a human voice or animal call (others may be a buzzer sound, electronic sound, music, etc.).
The electric eccentric mechanism 3 can also be provided with a light emitting circuit 26 that causes the light emitting unit 28 to emit light for a predetermined time when a detection signal is received from the sensor 21.
By providing the audio circuit 25, the light emitting circuit 26, and the like, the interest of the pet and the like is further increased, and the owners and the like who see this are increasingly seeing and having fun.

  The rolling toy 1 is not limited to be implemented as a pet toy, and can also be implemented as a human toy.

  In the rolling toy according to the present invention, when it is used as a pet toy, it is possible to maintain a play with a pet or the like, and thereby it is possible to maintain the enjoyment of an owner or the like who sees the appearance. In addition, not only as a toy for pets but also as a toy for human beings, a novel playability can be obtained.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 to 8 show an embodiment of a rolling toy 1 according to the present invention. This rolling toy 1 is configured so that the entire surface is covered with an outer shell member 2. The rolling toy 1 of this embodiment is applied as a toy for pets (particularly dogs), and the outer shell member 2 has a spherical shape with a diameter of about 10 cm. As is clear from FIG. 2, the outer shell member 2 can be freely disassembled into two parts on the equator plane or assembled into the original spherical shape.
An electric eccentric mechanism 3 is provided in the outer shell member 2. As apparent from FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, the electric eccentric mechanism 3 has a turning support shaft 6 and an eccentric weight 7. The eccentric weight 7 is attached to the turning support shaft 6 as necessary. Operates to rotate around the axis. A drive source for rotating the eccentric weight 7 is an electric actuator 8 such as a motor. Therefore, the electric eccentric mechanism 3 is provided with a gear box 9 connected to the electric actuator 8 including the electric actuator 8 and a power source 10 for supplying electric power to the electric actuator 8.

The turning support shaft 6 is provided in the outer shell member 2 so as to cross the position of the center of gravity. In this embodiment, since the outer shell member 2 has a spherical shape, the turning support shaft 6 is disposed so as to coincide with one diameter axis passing through the center of the outer shell member 2 (sphere). A shaft seat 12 that abuts on the inner peripheral surface of the outer shell member 2 is provided at both ends of the turning support shaft 6, and the shaft member 12 is installed in a stretched state in the outer shell member 2. It has become. In this installed state, the turning support shaft 6 is fixed to the outer shell member 2 and does not rotate.
The turning support shaft 6 passes through the gear box 9 described above, and a transmission gear 13 is provided in a skewered manner at a portion passing through the gear box 9. The electric gear 13 does not idle with respect to the turning support shaft 6 and is fixed in a state in which relative rotation is impossible. A plurality of gears 14 are incorporated in the gear box 9 in mesh with each other. The drive rotation by the output gear 15 attached to the electric actuator 8 is decelerated, and the drive rotation is provided on the turning support shaft 6. It is transmitted to the transmitted transmission gear 13.

Accordingly, when the electric actuator 8 is operated, the drive rotation is transmitted from the output gear 15 to the electric gear 13 of the turning support shaft 6 via the gear 14 in the gear box 9. Since it is fixed with respect to the shell member 2, the driving rotation is transmitted as a reaction force to the electric actuator 8 side, that is, the gear box 9, and as a result, the gear box 9 is directed to the swivel support shaft 6. Will go around.
The power source 10 has a dry battery or the like as a main element, and is fixed to the gear box 9 via a battery case 17 in which the dry battery or the like is loaded. The position where the power supply 10 is fixed to the gear box 9 is a position deviated from the axial center of the turning support shaft 6 in the radial direction and a position farther from the electric actuator 8. When the power source 10 is a dry battery, its weight is heavier than that of the electric actuator 8. For these reasons, the position where the power source 10 is provided around the turning support shaft 6 is the heaviest in terms of weight. That is, in the present embodiment, the power supply 10 also has a configuration and an action as the eccentric weight 7.

Thus, when the gear box 9 turns around the turning support shaft 6 by the operation of the electric actuator 8 as described above, the eccentric weight 7 (that is, the power source 10) rotates together with the gear box 9. It is. In this electric eccentric mechanism 3, the single rotation angle of the eccentric weight 7 is less than 180 °, preferably within 90 °, and the optimum range is about 45 ° to 90 °, and satisfies the rotation operation for this set angle. After that, the circular motion of the eccentric weight 7 is automatically stopped.
Along with this, the position of the center of gravity of the outer shell member 2 changes to an eccentric state. Therefore, the outer shell member 2 performs an operation of rolling itself to balance the center of gravity balance. That is, this operation uses the principle of rising, and the balance of the center of gravity is balanced and the movement stops in the state where the eccentric weight 7 is positioned directly below.

The power supply 10 is provided with a switch 20 for manual operation by the owner or the like. When the switch 20 is turned on, a control circuit (not shown) of the electric eccentric mechanism 3 is started and turned off. Then, the control circuit is disconnected. However, even if this switch 20 is turned on, the electric eccentric mechanism 3 does not operate immediately, and even if it operates, the control circuit is configured so that it immediately stops after one cycle of operation (standby state). Has a circuit configuration.
In the control circuit, after the switch 20 is turned on, the operation start of the electric eccentric mechanism 3 is instructed by the sensor 21 outputting a predetermined detection signal. The sensor 21 is provided in the outer shell member 2 so as to detect information given from the outside of the outer shell member 2. If the sensor 21 is set to be opposite to the eccentric weight 7, the sensor 21 always faces directly upward when the outer shell member 2 balances the balance of the center of gravity (that is, the information is most easily received). Position), which is convenient.

In the present embodiment, the sensor 21 is an optical sensor. The optical sensor may be a reflection type or a transmission type. With such a sensor 21, when a pet or the like approaches the outer shell member 2, the light that has been incident on the sensor 21 until then is blocked, or once the blocked light is moved to move the pet or the like. When the incident light is incident again, these are detected as information.
When the switch 20 is turned on, and when the sensor 21 issues a detection signal thereafter, for example, a flow chart as shown in FIG. 7 regarding the rotating operation direction and the number of rotating operations when the eccentric weight 7 performs the rotating operation. Based on.

  That is, after the switch 20 is turned on, when the sensor 21 issues a detection signal once (step 102), the electric eccentric mechanism 3 rotates the eccentric weight 7 in the forward direction (hereinafter referred to as "forward rotation") (step 103). ). As shown in FIG. 8, the number of forward rotations at this time is two. Next, when there is a detection signal from the sensor 21 (step 105), the electric eccentric mechanism 3 rotates the eccentric weight 7 in the backward direction (hereinafter referred to as "reverse rotation") (step 106). At this time, the number of reverse rotations is three. Hereinafter, each time there is a detection signal from the sensor 21 (steps 108, 111, 114, 117, 120, 123, 126, 129, 132), the electric eccentric mechanism 3 rotates the eccentric weight 7 forward twice (step 109). 2 forwards (step 112), 3 backwards (step 115), 2 forwards (step 118), 3 backwards (step 121), 3 backwards (step 124), 2 forwards ( In step 127), the rotation is performed three times in reverse (step 130).

In this way, by randomly switching the revolving operation of the eccentric weight 7 between the forward and reverse directions, the pet, the owner, and the like cannot be predicted at all with respect to the distance and direction in which the outer shell member 2 rolls. Therefore, unexpectedness can be sustained and never get tired of seeing.
In this embodiment, as is apparent from FIG. 6, the electric eccentric mechanism 3 is provided with an audio circuit 25 and a light emitting circuit 26.
The audio circuit 25 is a sound source that records appropriate sounds such as human speech, animal sounds, buzzer sounds, electronic sounds, music, and the like, and an ear of a person outside the outer shell member 2 by amplifying the output from the sound source. And a speaker 27 (see FIG. 1 and the like) that can reach the power source. When a detection signal is generated from the sensor 21 and the electric eccentric mechanism 3 operates, the power supply 10 receives power and operates for a predetermined time. It is like that.

As shown in FIG. 7, in this embodiment, the audio circuit 25 uses two types of short and long “Nyaon” and “Nya” as the sound source of the cat. These are output irregularly.
The light emitting circuit 26 has an appropriate light emitting section 28 (see FIG. 1 and the like) such as a light emitting diode and a filament sphere. When the detection signal is emitted from the sensor 21 and the electric eccentric mechanism 3 is operated, The light emitting unit 28 emits light for a predetermined time. The light emission state of the light emitting unit 28 may be continuous light emission or blinking light emission. Moreover, the light emission part 28 may be one or more.

By providing the audio circuit 25 and the light emitting circuit 26, the operation of the electric eccentric mechanism 3 is accompanied by sound and light, and the interest of not only pets but also owners is increased and excited pets can be used. It becomes more and more fun to watch for the owners.
As described above, the outer shell member 2 has a spherical shape and can be divided into two at the equator plane. Therefore, the outer shell member 2 has two hemispherical divided bodies 2A and 2B as is apparent from FIG. Each of the divided bodies 2A and 2B is a hollow body having an opening on the disassembly surface side, and the electric eccentric mechanism 3 and the like are accommodated in the hollow portion. Therefore, the outer shell member 2 is divided into the divided bodies. Only by disassembling into 2A and 2B, the power supply 10 and the switch 20 are exposed, and battery replacement and switch operation can be performed.

The material for forming these divided bodies 2A and 2B is not particularly limited. For example, PP, PS, silicon, rubber, ABS, vinyl chloride, etc., resin materials, metals such as iron plates, wood, etc. can be used. It is. The inner container may be formed of a hard material and the outside may be covered with a soft material. However, the portion corresponding to the sensor 21 needs to be formed of a material that easily receives information from the outside (such as a transparent material if light is used as an information source).
In order to disassemble or assemble the divided bodies 2A and 2B, the hook 31 provided on one side (2B side in the example) is connected to the hook hole 32 provided on the other side (2A side in the example). Insert and split the split bodies 2A, 2B in the opposite direction. The hook hole 32 has a narrow groove-like opening extending in a circular arc shape from the opening portion of the large opening that allows the hook 31 to be inserted, and the hook 31 enters the narrow groove opening to obtain a locked state. Structure. The adoption of this structure is not particularly limited.

As is apparent from the above description, in the rolling toy 1 according to the present invention, the outer shell member 2 is first disassembled into the divided bodies 2A and 2B, the switch 20 is turned on, and the divided bodies 2A and 2B are then turned on. Assembled in the original state (as the outer shell member 2 of the sphere) and placed in front of the eyes against the pet or the like in that state.
At this time, when the sensor 21 detects information (incidence or blocking information of light) received from an owner or a pet or the like, the electric eccentric mechanism 3, the audio circuit 25, and the light emitting circuit 26 are operated, and sound and light are emitted while rolling. It comes out. Now, the pets are very interested in this movement, sound, and light, and try to hold their hands on the outer shell member 2 or chase them.

As a result, the sensor 21 again generates a detection signal, and the electric eccentric mechanism 3, the sound circuit 25, and the light emitting circuit 26 are activated again. At this time, each operation of the electric eccentric mechanism 3, the sound circuit 25, and the light emitting circuit 26 is different in content from the previous operation, so that pets are more interested and try to hold their hands on the rolling toy 1. Try to chase.
As a result of such repetition, the pet or the like can play with the rolling toy 1 for a long time, and the owner or the like who sees it can maintain the joy for a long time.

By the way, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately changed according to the embodiment.
For example, the rolling toy 1 is not limited to being implemented as a pet toy, and can also be implemented as a human toy (for example, a toy having a size of a beach ball).
The electric eccentric mechanism 3 can be configured not only to forward and reverse but also to roll over.
The power supply 10 may be a button battery as well as a dry battery. It is also possible to use a solar cell. In this case, a part of the outer shell member 2 may be made transparent so that the power generation part (light receiving part) of the solar cell faces this transparent part. Since button batteries and solar cells are lightweight, it is difficult to have the function as the eccentric weight 7, so when these are used, the electric actuator 8 can also be used as the eccentric weight 7 or separately. Thus, the eccentric weight 7 may be provided.

The power supply 10 can also incorporate a timer circuit. The timer circuit once outputs an operation signal from the sensor 21 and starts counting the time after the operation signal disappears, and when this count reaches a predetermined time (when there is no operation signal from the sensor 21). ), The audio circuit 7 is activated. Thereby, play with this rolling toy 1 can be invited spontaneously with respect to the pet etc. which are near.
Further, this timer circuit ignores the fact that the switch 21 is in the ON state when there is no operation signal from the sensor 21 and the subsequent count reaches a predetermined time even when the audio circuit 7 is activated. The circuit may be configured to cut the entire circuit. This saves power.

The electric actuator 8 may be a solenoid.
A receiver that receives a signal transmitted from the transmitter by attaching a transmitter to a pet or the like via a collar or the like can be employed as the sensor 21. In this way, a pet equipped with a transmitter can be discriminated from other pets and people, or changes in various conditions (such as the presence or absence of light).
If the audio circuit 25 is provided with a recording circuit, the owner's voice and the pet's own voice can be recorded.

It is also possible to incorporate a mechanism that detects when a pet or the like touches or lifts the outer shell member 2 and vibrates the outer shell member 2.
The shape, size, color, material, and the like of the outer shell member 2 can be changed as appropriate.

It is the perspective view which showed one Embodiment of the rolling toy concerning this invention. It is the perspective view which showed the state which decomposed | disassembled the rolling toy of FIG. 1 into two division bodies. It is sectional drawing shown corresponding to the AA arrow of FIG. It is sectional drawing shown corresponding to the BB line arrow of FIG. It is the figure which showed the usage condition of the rolling toy of FIG. It is a block block diagram centering on an electric eccentric mechanism. It is the flowchart which showed the operation | movement relationship of a sensor, an electric eccentric mechanism, and an audio | voice circuit. It is the rotary chart which showed the operation | movement content of the electric eccentric mechanism.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Rolling toy 2 Outer shell member 2A Divided body 2b Divided body 3 Electric eccentric mechanism 6 Turning support shaft 7 Eccentric weight 8 Electric actuator 10 Power supply 20 Switch 21 Sensor 25 Voice circuit 26 Light emitting circuit 28 Light emitting part

Claims (9)

  An outer shell member (2) formed in a spherical shape or a similar rollable shape, and information provided from outside the outer shell member (2) provided in the outer shell member (2) is detected. When the sensor (21) and the outer shell member (2) receive a detection signal from the sensor (21), the position of the center of gravity of the outer shell member (2) is determined by the operation of the electric actuator (8). A rolling toy characterized by having an electric eccentric mechanism (3) for eccentricity.   The outer shell member (2) can be disassembled into a plurality of divided bodies (2A, 2B) or assembled into the original shape. The rolling toy according to claim 1, further comprising:   The rolling toy according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the outer shell member (2) has a size set with a spherical shape having a diameter of 5 cm to 20 cm as a guide.   The rolling toy according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sensor (21) is an optical sensor that detects the incidence or interception of light.   The electric eccentric mechanism (3) has a turning support shaft (6) provided in an arrangement crossing the position of the center of gravity in the outer shell member (2), and a diameter from the shaft center to the turning support shaft (6). An eccentric weight (7) provided at a position deviated in the direction, and the eccentric weight (7) can be rotated around the axis of the turning support shaft (6) by the electric actuator (8). The rolling toy according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that:   6. The rolling toy according to claim 5, wherein the eccentric weight (7) of the electric eccentric mechanism (3) is formed by an electric actuator (8) or a driving power source (10) thereof.   The said electric eccentric mechanism (3) has a control circuit which switches a rotation direction irregularly forward and backward by setting the rotation angle of one rotation in an eccentric weight (7) to less than 180 degrees. Or the rolling toy of Claim 6.   8. The electric eccentric mechanism (3) is provided with an audio circuit (25) that receives a detection signal from the sensor (21) and operates for a predetermined time. The described rolling toy.   The electric eccentric mechanism (3) is provided with a light emitting circuit (26) for receiving a detection signal from the sensor (21) and causing the light emitting section (28) to emit light for a predetermined time. Item 10. A rolling toy according to any one of Items 8 to 10.

Images