MXPA01003531A - Articulated toy figure simulating basketball play - Google Patents

Abstract

A toy figure torso supports at least one pivotal arm together wit a spring-loaded mechanism urging the arm toward pivotal motion in a forward direction. A spring (78) is coupled to the arm and provides the urging force. A trigger and latch mechanism is supported within the torso of the toy figure and is operable by a push button (16) supported at the torso rear. The mechanism includes a cooperating lock arm (74) and a cam (65) which engage to inhibit return motion when the toy figure arm is raised to the cocked position. Energy is stored in the spring which is released by activation of the push button allowing rapid forwardly pivoting motion of the arm.

Description

FIGURE OF ARTICULATED TOY. THAT SIMULATES A BASKETBALL PLAYER FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates, generally, to articulated toy figures, of an activity type, and, particularly, to those that employ a mechanism, spring-loaded, for the limbs and firing in order to execute various related actions. with sports.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Toy figures, which include dolls and the like, are well known in the art and are extremely popular among children of a wide age range. As a result, a variety, virtually endless, of toy figures have been supplied, which resemble human toy figures or dolls, as well as toy figures that are fantastic and ingenious in their appearance. Correspondingly, a variety of toy figures have been provided, which perform various human activities, such as walking, talking, crawling, conversing and singing, to name a few.

One of the most popular types of action figures is found in a class of toys that can be generally described as sports action figures. Such toy figures typically attempt to perform various movements associated with a sport activity. Thus, the toy figures have been provided with the action of skating, swimming, bowling, golf and running a football kick. For the most part, the basic mechanisms involved use a release, spring-loaded, of the limbs and firing. In such toy figures, the user lifts the limb,. spring-loaded, to a locked position and then trigger release operates, allowing the spring loaded limb to move abruptly through a range of motion, resulting in actions, such as kicking a ball. For example, U.S. Patent No. 1,633,456, issued to Norberg, discloses a FIGURE TOY, having a toy figure using the clothing and equipment of a soccer player and having a pivotally secured leg, loaded by spring. The player executes a quick movement of kicking a ball, to simulate a football kick. The arms of the figure are also articulated and support the ball that is going to kick. Resources are provided to synchronize the fall of the ball from the hands in the path of the foot swing to execute the kick. U.S. Patent No. 3,911,616, issued to Pelfrey, points to a FIELD GOLF TOE KICKER, having a leg, which supports a pivot knee joint and a pivot foot to the ankle joint. A mechanism, operated by spring, is operative within the knee joint, to push the lower leg and foot to a forward position. A trigger latch secures the roller joint in a loaded position, before kicking. When released, the lower leg and foot are pushed forward and quickly, through the position of the ball, resulting in a field goal type kick. U.S. Patent No. 3,862,513, issued to Isaacson, et al., Points out an ARTICULATED FIGURE TOY, which has a torso that can rotate around the waist, around a vertical axis, which is oriented by spring forward. An arm, spring-oriented, is rotatably mounted with respect to the torso, to enable this arm and the torso to be moved manually in one direction and then released to effect a rapid movement of the entire body, in the opposite direction. Modalities for sports activities are shown, which include golf, tennis, baseball and bowling.

U.S. Patent No. 4,186,518, issued to Luke, designates a WATCHING DOLL, WITH A REMOVABLE TRIP ELEMENT, having a toy figure resembling a soccer player, supporting a leg, spring-oriented, pivotally secured , to form a kicking leg. A latch mechanism, inside the toy figure, secures the leg in a position, loaded by spring, of impulse. A separate and removable firing device is capable of engaging the toy figure and releasing the kicking action. U.S. Patent No. 2,903,264, issued to Munro, et al., Teaches a TABLE GAME WITH MAGNETIC ELEMENT OF MOTION, which has a hockey game, in which players can move through a range of movement and pivot housing, in which a game element, such as a hockey puck, is formed to support a magnet there. U.S. Patent No. 1,551,050 issued to Parsons, points out a DOLL, which has magnets supported within the palm portion of the doll's hands.

Several metal items are capable of being "retained" by the wrist, due to the attraction to the magnets of the palm. U.S. Patent No. 5,087,219, issued to Price, indicates a FIGURE OF CHARACTER OF ACTION, which has a portion of torso and lower body, telescopic type, together with an arm mechanism, loaded by spring. U.S. Patent No. 4,985,008, issued to Price, points out FIGURE OF FIGHTER OF FIGHTER, which has a pair of pivotally supported arms, which uses a spring pivot mechanism, which facilitates the execution of knocking down an opponent from above the head. U.S. Patent No. 4,623,318, issued to Tsiknopoulos, et al., States a FIGURE WITH THE ROTATING TORSO AND VERTICALLY ROCKING ARMS, which has a pair of arms secured to the torso for relative movement with respect to it, in a ascending direction, around the shoulders, when a centrifugal force is applied to the torso. The patent of E.U.A :, No. 4,605,381, issued to MacBain, et al., Designates an ANIMATED FIGURE TOY, having a MULTI FUNCTION UNITARY SPRING, supported within an upper torso of a toy figure and operatively coupled to a pivotally supported end. U.S. Patent No. 3,758,982, issued to Lemelson, et al., Designates an ACTIVITY DOLL, having one or more pivotally mounted limbs, arranged for movement from a normally retracted position on the side of the figure, to a frontal body or superior location. A trigger release mechanism, spring loaded, allows the arms to be released against the spring mechanism, to provide rapid movement. U.S. Patent No. 3,906,661, issued to Weiser points out an ANIMATED TOY DOLL, which has a movable arm, adapted to move automatically in a fast downward movement and a moving leg, adapted to move automatically in a kicking action, downwards and upwards. A manual release is provided to execute the movement of the limbs. U.S. Patent No. 5,458,523, issued to Aoki, et al., States a FIGURE SET OF ACTION CHARACTER, having a pair of housings, each defining an outer end with a manipulable button member, supported on the same and a front end that supports a toy figure. The apparatus is provided to cause the toy figure to respond to the manipulation of the other button by the user, to participate in a physical combat or the like. While the devices of the prior art, described above, have provided improvements in the technique and have enjoyed, in some cases, a commercial success, nevertheless there remains a continuous need in the art for toy figures with an action, interesting and exciting, Even better.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, it is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved articulated toy figure. It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide an articulated, improved toy figure that simulates a novel sporting activity. It is still a more particular object of the present invention to provide an articulated, improved toy figure that is capable of executing, accurately and repeatedly, the launching operation of a basketball player. In accordance with the present invention, a toy figure executing a basketball throw is supplied, this toy figure comprising: a bull, which defines an interior cavity; an arm, secured pivotally to the torso, to form a shoulder; and a head, supported by the arm, having a first attraction element supported thereby; an arm mechanism, spring-loaded, supported within the interior cavity, having a shaft rotatably supported by the torso and having an end attached to the arm and with a spring and cam coupler formed together with a spring that pushes the arm towards a forward pivot movement; a trigger latch mechanism, supported within the inner cavity, having a locking arm and an arm pivot, supported rotatably by the torso, the locking arm and the cam have cooperating coupling members; a firing button, supported by the torso, to exert a force against the arm pivot, which releases the engagement of the locking arm and the cam, allowing the spring to pivot the arm rapidly forward and downward; and a ball, which has an element of attraction of section supported by it, first and second attraction elements, cooperating to maintain, in a releasable manner, the ball against the hand, whereby the ball placed in the hand, when the arm is loaded and released by the firing button, it is thrown forward and upward, during the pivoting movement forward and down the arm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The characteristics of the present invention, believed to be novel, are indicated with particularity in the appended claims. The invention, together with its additional objects and advantages, can be better understood with reference to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in the various figures in which like reference numbers identify similar elements and in which: Figure 1 indicates a side view in partial section of an articulated toy figure, constructed in accordance with the present invention, together with a cooperating basketball object; Figure 2 shows a sectional view of the cooperating basketball of the articulated toy figure of the present invention; Figure 3 shows a rear view, partially in section, of the torso portion of the articulated toy figure of the present invention; Figure 4 shows a partial sectional view of the torso portion of the articulated toy figure of the present invention, taken along section lines 4-4 in Figure 3; Figure 5 shows a partial sectional view of the shoulder portion of the articulated toy figure of the present invention, taken along the lines in section 5-5 of Figure 3; Figure 6 shows a partial sectional view of the torso portion of the articulated toy figure of the present invention, in its loaded arm position; and Figure 7 shows a typical basketball goal, provided for cooperation with the articulated toy figure of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 shows a side elevational view, partially broken away, of an articulated toy figure, constructed in accordance with the present invention and generally with the reference number 10. The toy figure 10 is preferably formed of a molded plastic material or similar, and resembles a young woman or young girl. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that toy figure 10 can, if desired, be fabricated to duplicate other figures of appearances, such as a man or even fantastic figures or animals, without departing from the spirit and scope. of the present invention. The toy figure 10 includes a bull 11 that forms a waist 12 and that supports a right leg 13 and a left leg 14 (the left leg 14 shown in Figure 3). A foot 15 is supported on the lower end of the right leg 13 and, insofar as it is not seen in the figures, it will be understood that the left leg 14 supports a similar foot at its bottom end. Figure 10 of the toy is shown leaning on a flat surface and is substantially erect. Thus, the toy figure 10 includes a right upper arm 22, secured to the torso 11 by a joint 20 of the right shoulder. With reference to Figure 3, toy figure 10 also includes a left upper arm 23 secured to the torso 11 by a hinge 21 of the left shoulder. Returning to Figure 1, according to the present invention, the upper right arm 22 is coupled to the internal trigger mechanism, spring loaded, indicated in Figures 3 to 6. A pivot elbow joint 24 engages the right arm 22 to the right forearm 26, which, in turn, supports a right hand 28. Also, according to the present invention, the right hand 28 defines a palm portion, which supports an attraction element 30. The toy figure 10 further includes a firing button 16, which extends rearwardly from the back surface of the torso 11. With temporal reference to Figure 3, it will be noted that the left upper arm 23 is pivotally engaged in a joint 25 of the elbow to the forearm 27, which, in turn, supports the left hand 29. Also, according to the present invention,. a ball 31, which defines an external surface 32 generally spherical, shown in the right hand 28 of toy figure 10. As best seen in Figure 2, the ball 31 also supports an attraction element 33. The combination of the hand attraction element 30 and the attraction element 33 of the ball 31 preferably uses a pair of magnetically interactive elements, which provide the retention of the ball 31 against the hand 28, through the magnetic attraction. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other releasable attachment forms can be used between the ball 31 and the hand 28, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, a weak adhesive, similar to that used in adhesive glue sticks or the like, can be used. The important aspect of the mechanism of the attraction elements 30 and 33 is the provision of the releasable coupling, which is established by placing the ball 31 in proximity to the hand 28. It will also be evident to those skilled in the art that in the use of the mechanism of Preferred magnetic union, which various combinations of attraction elements can be used, employing a magnetic holding force. For example, the attraction elements 30 and 33 can each be magnets having poles placed opposite each other, to supply the magnetic attraction. Alternatively, any of the attraction elements, 30 or 33, may use a magnet, while the remaining element uses a ferromagnetic material, such as steel or the like. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a safety consideration arises, which seeks to prevent children users having toy figure 10 from throwing objects other than ball 31 and as a result, the preferred embodiment of the present invention uses a magnet for the element 33 within the ball 31 and a simple metal member for the attraction element 30. In this way, the child user can not place unauthorized metal objects, such as paper clips or the like, against the 28 and hold them to release them as it would be when a magnet is used in the hand 28. During the operation and by means indicated in more detail below, the user loads the launch mechanism of the present invention by rotating the upper arm 22 in the direction indicated by the arrow 18 to an elevated position, in which a locking and tripping mechanism (indicated below in Figure 3) is operative to lock the position d e) release of the right arm 22. Furthermore, the pivot connection in the elbow joint 24 facilitates the positioning of the hand 28 by the pivoting movement of the forearm 26 in the manner indicated by the arrow 17. Finally, with the ball 31 secured magnetically at hand 28, in the manner shown, toy figure 10 is ready to undertake a pitch-type basketball play. The launch is initiated by the user simply by pressing the trigger button 16, as the user holds the torso 11 to stabilize the toy figure 10. Once the firing button 16 has been depressed, the trigger lock mechanism within the torso 11 (seen in Figure 3) is released and the inner spring (spring 78 in Figure 3) releases the stored energy by rapidly pivoting the right arm of toy figure 10 in the direction indicated by the arrow 46. This fast forward movement overcomes the magnetic attraction between the attraction elements 30 and 33, causing the ball 31 to be thrown up and forward in a flight path, generally indicated by the arrow 47. The goal in the basketball game considered here is that the toy figure 10 successfully throws the ball 31 towards a basket formed at the goal 100 (seen in Figure 7). To recharge the toy figure 10 and prepare for the next play, the user simply pivots the upper right arm 22 again around the shoulder 20 in the direction indicated by the arrow 18 until the firing operating mechanism (see Figure) 3) locks the upper arm 22 in the raised position. Next, the user can again place the right forearm 26 pivoting around the elbow joint 24 and placing the ball 31 back into the hand 28.

Figure 2 shows a sectional view of the ball 31, which uses a magnetic attraction element 33, which comprises a permanent magnet. The ball 31 defines a spherical surface 32 and is formed from the hemispherical portions 34 and 35. These portions, 34 and 35, are manufactured differently in order to generally balance the ball 31 against the substantial weight of the attraction element 33. thus, it will be noted that the hemisphere 35 is made of a substantially solid plastic material, while the hemisphere 34 defines a substantially open space to reduce the weight therein. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the solid plastic material of the hemisphere 35 generally balances the combined weight of the attraction element 33 and the hemisphere 34. Thus, the hemisphere 35 defines a pair of extension posts, 42 and 45, which are received within the openings 40 and 44, respectively, of the cylindrical loins, 41 and 43. A convention-al bonding mechanism, such as an adhesive bond or the like, can be used to secure the portions 34 and 35 together. Figure 3 shows a rear view, partly broken away, of the toy figure 10, showing the locking mechanisms of the trigger and the spring of the inner arm of the figure of the present invention. As described above, the toy figure 10 is preferably manufactured from a plurality of molded plastic parts, which include a torso portion 11, which has a right leg 13 and a left leg 14 secured there. The torso 11 further defines an inner cavity 50 and a pair of ferrules 66 and 67. A right upper arm 22 is received within the ferrule 66 and further includes a band 60, extending inwardly, attached to a flange 61. This flange 61 and the band 60 are further joined to a rotating shaft 64, which is supported rotatably by an opening 63, formed in a flange 62 within the inner cavity 50. The shaft 64 is further supported by a pair of flanges 90 and 91, which have respective openings formed therein, which receive the end portion of the shaft 64 and supply its rotation support. The shaft 64 further includes a cam 65, which has a configuration best seen in Figures 4 and 6. A spring coupler 70 is further attached to the cam 65 and can rotate therewith. This spring coupler 70 further includes a notch 71 that receives the end 73 of a coil spring 78. This spring 78 is wound on the shaft 64 and, as best seen in Figure 4, includes a static end 79. Figure 10 The toy also includes a locking arm 74, which is mounted on the cam 65, in the manner shown in Figures 4 and 6, and described below. It is sufficient to note here that the locking arm 74 is capable of coupling the cam 65 in some positions thereof. The locking arm 74 is furthermore attached to an arm pivot 76, which is pivotally supported within the inner cavity 50 by a pivot shaft 75. This pivot arm 76 is further coupled to a spring 77 which supplies a spring force against the pivot arm 76 which urges that pivot arm 76 toward the back of the torso 11. A pivot button 16 is slidably supported on the surface posterior of the torso 11, in the manner shown in Figures 4 and 6. This firing button 16 extends inwardly through an elongated opening 80, formed in the arm pivot 76. The toy figure 10 further includes a left upper arm 23, having an elbow 24 attached to a left forearm 27 which, in turn, supports a left hand 29. The upper left arm 23 is received within the socket 67 and includes a captive shaft 51 within an opening 54, formed in a flange of internal support within the inner cavity 50. As a result, the left shoulder 21 supplies the pivot connection of the upper left arm 23. The operation of the arm, spring loaded, and the trigger latch of the toy figure of the present invention, is pointed out below in Figures 4 and 6 in greater detail. However, it is sufficient to note here that the ball 31 (seen in Figure 1) can be secured to the attraction element 30 using the attractions, described above, such as adhesive or magnetic. The attraction element 30 will be returned, and is preferably formed of a metal disc cooperating with the permanent magnet secured within the balloon 31. The coupling of the upper arm 22 through the band 60 and the flange 61 tree salt, facilitates the pivoting movement of the upper arm 22 towards the raised position, shown in Figure 1. During this rotation, the launching mechanism moves to its loaded or cocked position. As the shaft 64 rotates, energy is stored within the spring 78 due to the concurrent rotation of the coupler 70 of the spring 70. Once the cam 65 reaches its engaging position with the locking arm 74, the force of the spring 77 against the pivot 76 of the arm keeps the locking arm to the cam in contact and the locking arm 22 in the raised and loaded position. The firing activity of the basketball is provided by the cooperation of the pivot 75 which pivotally supports the combination of the locking arm 74 and the pivot of the arm 76. Because the spring 77 pushes the arm pivot 77 backward, the force applied by the firing button 16, which extends forward against the arm plate 76, overcomes the force of the spring 77 and releases the contact of the locking arm 74 to the cam 65. Once the bolt has been released, the spring 78 quickly rotates the shaft 64 and the upper arm 22 to provide the launching action of the basketball. Figure 4 shows a side view in partial section of toy figure 10, taken along section lines 4.4 in Figure 3. As a revision, Figure 4 shows a sectional view of the arm operating mechanism of the present invention, wherein the upper arm 22 is in its relaxed position. In contrast, Figure 6 indicates the operating mechanism inside the toy 10, when the arm 22 has pivoted upwards to the fully loaded position in preparation for performing the basket-launch activity, described above. More specifically, the toy figure 10 includes a torso 11, which defines an interior cavity 60 within which the operating mechanism of the toy figure of the present invention is supported. As described above, a cam 65 is supported by a shaft 64 (seen in Figure 3), which is finally joined to the upper arm 22, which uses the apparatus best seen in Figure 3.

The toy figure 10 further includes a spring coupler 70 attached to the shaft 64 and the cam 65 where a helical spring 78 is wound. The spring 78 includes a static end 79 secured within the interior cavity 50 and a mobile end 73 that , as best seen in Figure 3, is secured to a spring coupler 70. The cam 65 defines a notch 68 and can rotate along with the spring coupler 70 and the shaft 61 (seen in Figure 3). The toy figure 10 further includes a locking arm 74, which has a groove 85 formed. This locking arm 74 is pivotally supported within the interior cavity 50 by a pivot 75 received within a flange 93. The flange 93 is preferably integrally formed with the torso 11. This torso 11 further defines a flange 96 having a flange. passage 97 there defined. The bull 11 also defines a recess 86 in its later rot, within which a button 16 is received. A flange 87 is attached to the button 16 and further supports a guide pin 88, which extends forward. An arm pivot 76, attached to the locking arm 74, includes a spring post 95 and an opening 80 therein formed. The guide pin 88 passes through the opening 80, which has a dimension for free passage of the guide pin 88, while preventing the flange 87 from passing therethrough. The spring post 95 supports a spring 77, which is entrained against the spring post 95 and produces a spring force that pushes the pivot 76 of the arm toward rotation counterclockwise about the pivot 75. In operation, the The outward force applied to the arm pivot 76 by the captive spring 77, against the spring post 95, pushes the locking arm 74 towards the pivotal movement about the pivot 75 in the direction indicated by the arrow 94. This pivoting movement of the locking arm 74 forces the upper end of the locking arm 74 against the surface of the cam 65. The upper arm 22, shown in a dashed line representation, generally extends forward in a relaxed position, in which the spring 78 exerts little or none of the spring force. The arm 22 moves towards the position loaded by the pivot arm 22, upwards in the direction indi- cated by the arrow 84. This upward pivoting of the upper arm 22 produces a corresponding pivoting movement of the cam 65, the coupler 70 of spring and the tree 64 (the last seen in Figure 3). As the upper arm 22 pivots upwards, the cam 65 is rotated accordingly until the notch 68 of the cam 65 is aligned with the notch 85 of the locking arm 74. Once this alignment is reached, the force spring 77 pivots the locking arm 74 in the direction of the arrow 94, locks the upper arm 22 in the raised position against the force of the spring 78.

Figure 5 shows a partial sectional view illustrating the upper arm supported on the torso 11. Within the torso 11, a stop limit member 102 is positioned within the path of the flange 61 supported by the band 60, which, in turn, it is coupled to the upper arm 22 in the manner described above. The cooperative function of the stop 102, the flange 61 and the band 60, provides a travel limit for the pivoting movement of the upper arm 22 during the energy storage and charging operation, in which the upper arm 22 is pivoted in the direction indicated by arrow 101. Thus, the operating mechanism of the present invention is protected against excessive force and excessive movement of upper arm 22, when energy is stored for a basketball play. Figure 6 shows a partial sectional view of toy figure 10, taken along the lines in section 4-4 in figure 3, wherein the operating mechanism of the toy figure of the present invention is moved to its fully loaded position, before the activity of throwing the ball, previously described. More specifically, the toy figure 10 includes a torso 11 defining an interior cavity 50 within which the operating mechanism of the toy figure of the present invention is supported. As described above, a cam 65 is supported by a shaft 64 (seen in Figure 3), which is finally joined to an upper arm 22, which uses the apparatus, better seen in Figure 3. Figure 10 of toy in addition includes a spring coupler 70, attached to the shaft 64 and cam 65, in which a coil spring 78 is wound. This spring 78 includes a static end 79 secured within the interior cavity 50 and a movable end 73, which, as best seen in Figure 3, it is secured to a spring coupler 70. The cam 65 defines a notch 68 and can rotate along with the spring coupler 70 and the shaft 64 (seen in Figure 3). The toy figure 10 further includes a locking arm 74, which has a groove 85 formed. This locking arm 74 is pivotally supported within the inner cavity 50 by a pivot 75, received within a flange 93. This flange 93 is preferably integrally with the torso 11. The torso 11 further defines a flange 96, which has a defined passage 97. The torso 11 also defines a recess 86 in its rear portion, within which a button 18 is received. A flange 87 is attached to the button 16 and further supports a guide pin 88, which extends forward. An arm pivot 76 is attached to the locking arm 74 and includes a spring post 95 and an opening 80 formed therein. The guide pin 88 passes through the opening 80, which has a dimension for free passage of the guide pin 88, while preventing the flange 87 from passing therethrough. The spring post 95 supports a spring 77, which is engaged against the spring post 95 and produces a spring force, which pushes the pivot 76 of the arm toward counterclockwise rotation, around the pivot 75. In operation, once the upper arm 22 has pivoted to the elevated position shown and the cam 65 is locked to the locking arm 74 by engaging the notches 68 and 85, respectively, the end 73 of the spring 78 has been moved by the coupler 70 to the spring-loaded position, shown in Figure 6. With the movement of the end 73, substantial energy is stored within the spring 78, which urges the arm 22 toward pivotal movement in the direction indi- cated by the arrow 99 With the cam 65 completely engaging the locking arm 74 and the spring 77 pushing the locking arm 74 against the cam 65, the upper arm 22 is held in a raised position and locked against the force of the spring 78. A start is made. A basketball launch activity by pressing the shot button 16 to the interior, in the direction indited by the arrow 89 carrying the flange 87 against the arm pivot 76. As mentioned before, the opening 80 of the pivot 76 of the arm is smaller than the flange 87. As a result, a force applied to the button 16 is communicated by the flange 87 against the pivot 76 of the arm. This force results in overcoming the spring 77 and pivoting the combination of the pivot 76 of the arm and the locking arm 74 about the pivot 75 in the direction indicated by the arrow 98. As the locking arm 74 has pivoted away from the cam 65 , the engagement of the notches 68 and 85 is released and the energy stored within the spring 78 rapidly rotates the cam 65, the coupler 70, the flange 61, the shaft 64 and the band 60 (seen in Figure 3), to supply a high-speed pivoting movement of the upper arm 22 in the direction indi- cated by the arrow 99. As mentioned above, and shown in Figure 1, the rapid movement of the upper arm 22 causes the ball 31 to be thrown. The arm 22 then comes to a rest position, shown in Figure 4, where after the cycle can be repeated. Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a typical basketball goal, suitable for use with the toy figure of the present invention and generally with the reference numeral 100. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that a variety of basketball goals, configured differently, have different appearances of the goal or 100, can be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In its preferred manufacture, the goal 100 is manufactured from a plurality of plastic components molded together under pressure. Thus, the goal 100 includes a generally rectangular base 105, which supports a support post 106, which extends vertically. A rear board 107 is secured to the upper end of the pole 106 and supports a basketball hoop 108. A flexible net 109 is secured to the ring 108. For purposes of the relative size between the ring 108 and the ball 31, this ball 31 is shown in FIG. a perspective view of Figure 7. An articulated toy figure for simulating a basketball game has been shown in which a spring release and release mechanism is used to spring load an arm of the figure of toy. A pair of attraction elements, such as a pair of elements attracted by a magnetic force, is supported to supply an element within the ball and the remaining elements within the palm of the spring-loaded arm. Through a simple operation of loading the pivot movement, the arm, loaded by spring, is balanced to throw the ball by simple release of the firing button. While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications can be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. Therefore, the object of the appended claims is to cover all these changes and modifications, as they are within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (5)

1. CLAIMS 1. A toy figure, making a basketball throw, this toy figure comprises: a torso, which defines an interior cavity; an arm, secured pivotally to the torso, to form a shoulder; a head, supported by the arm, having a first attraction element supported thereon; a spring-loaded arm mechanism supported within the inner cavity, having a shaft rotatably supported by the torso and having one end attached to the arm and with a spring coupler and a cam formed thereon, together with a spring that pushes the arm towards a forward pivoting movement; a trigger latch mechanism, supported within the inner cavity, having a locking arm and an arm pivot, pivotally supported by the torso, the locking arm and the cam, which have cooperating coupling members; a firing button, supported by the torso, to exert a force against the arm pivot, which releases the engagement of the locking arm and the cam, allowing the spring to pivot the arm rapidly forward and downward; and a ball, having an element of section attraction supported by it, the first and second attraction elements cooperate to releasably maintain the ball against the hand; whereby the ball placed in the hand, when the arm is loaded and released by the trigger button, is thrown forward and upward, during the pivoting movement forward and downward of the arm.
2. 2. The toy figure, defined in claim 1, in which the first and second attraction elements are of magnetic attraction type.
3. 3. The toy figure, defined in claim 2, wherein the first attraction element is a ferromagnetic metal and the second attraction element of a permanent magnet.
4. 4. The toy figure, defined in claim 2, in which the first and second attraction elements are permanent magnets.
5. 5. The toy figure, defined in claim 2, wherein the first attraction element is a permanent magnet, and the second attraction element is a ferromagnetic metal.