US20160193536A1 - Mechanical eye for a toy - Google Patents

Mechanical eye for a toy Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20160193536A1
US20160193536A1 US14/985,620 US201514985620A US2016193536A1 US 20160193536 A1 US20160193536 A1 US 20160193536A1 US 201514985620 A US201514985620 A US 201514985620A US 2016193536 A1 US2016193536 A1 US 2016193536A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
lever
eye
eyelid
mechanical
spherical cap
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US14/985,620
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
David MANSILLA GONZALEZ
Ivan Coronas Coma
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
IMC Toys SA
Original Assignee
IMC Toys SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by IMC Toys SA filed Critical IMC Toys SA
Assigned to IMC TOYS, S.A. reassignment IMC TOYS, S.A. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: Coronas Coma, Ivan, MANSILLA GONZALEZ, DAVID
Publication of US20160193536A1 publication Critical patent/US20160193536A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
    • A63H3/00—Dolls
    • A63H3/36—Details; Accessories
    • A63H3/38—Dolls' eyes
    • A63H3/40—Dolls' eyes movable
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
    • A63H3/00—Dolls
    • A63H3/001—Dolls simulating physiological processes, e.g. heartbeat, breathing or fever

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a mechanical eye for a toy and also to a module which incorporates the aforementioned mechanical eye.
  • the mechanical eye of the invention allows a blinking action of a real eye to be simulated in a toy, increasing the feeling of realness of the toy.
  • One type of mechanical eye of interest is that which simulates blinking of the eye and which therefore is capable of being changeable from an open state to a closed state and vice versa.
  • Such proposals are based on mounting a spherical cap on an eyeball, which simulates an eye, said spherical cap simulates an eyelid, the eyelid being coupled to a rotation axis which is motorized.
  • the actuation device in US20110097968 is based on a rack and pinion system such that the axis is permanently engaged with a toothed bar which is the movable part of an induction motor.
  • the actuation system or mechanism is robust, in the sense that when the toy is exposed to impacts or to use that is not overly careful or delicate, it is not of interest for minor imbalances in components of the mechanism that are involved in the actuation thereof to cause poor functioning.
  • the axis is permanently engaged with the actuation device and therefore any imbalance in the axis affects the mechanical coupling thereof with the actuation device and may affect the functioning of the mechanical eye.
  • the permanent engagement of the axis with the actuation device can also be damaging for the unit of the mechanical eye when the user manipulates the eyelid. That is to say, it should be expected, being a toy for children, that the user manually actuates the eyelid, for example to close it when the toy is active.
  • this maneuver triggers, due to transmission of the permanently engaged components, the movement of the movable part of the motor, possibly damaging it.
  • a mechanical eye is therefore an object of the invention which solves the above-discussed drawbacks. Specifically, it is desirable for the mechanical eye to be constructively simple and robust, and that it is better prepared for manipulations on the part of the user.
  • the mechanical eye of the invention is particularly ideal for a toy and comprises an artificial eye, with a piece in the form of a first spherical cap; and an artificial eyelid, with a piece in the form of a second spherical cap mounted outside of the eye and in a rotatable manner around an axis (x) transversal to the eye.
  • this mechanical eye is characterized in that it comprises a motorized lever, which may be actuated around a rotation axis (y) in first and second opposed directions a and b, the resistance arm thereof is provided with a cam surface; and return means, independent of the lever, which act on the eyelid and which tend to arrange the eyelid in a position A which uncovers the eye, the cited cam surface of the motorized lever being adapted for contacting and exerting a pressure on a portion of the eyelid upon the lever being actuated in the second direction b, the pressure being sufficient so as to shift the eyelid, rotating it around the axis (x), overcoming the force which the return means exert on the same, between at least the cited position A and a position B, in which the eyelid covers the eye at least partially.
  • the eyelid can be manually actuated in the direction of the position B without it impacting on the lever. Furthermore, the transmission between the lever and the eyelid is simple, without incorporating fixed assemblies and it is based on the support without fixing between a cam surface and a portion of the eyelid.
  • the invention envisaged that in one embodiment, the axis (x), around which the eyelid may rotate, is not parallel to the rotation axis (y) of the lever.
  • the portion of the eyelid via which comes into contact with the cam surface of the lever has a curved surface suitable for allowing the cam surface to slide thereon while the pressure of the lever is transmitted to the eyelid.
  • the return means arrange the eyelid permanently applied against the lever.
  • the first spherical cap is joined to or comprises two essentially cylindrical, diametrically opposed protuberances which extend outwards, capable of serving to fix the eye to the outer support casing via which the second spherical cap is supported in a rotatable manner.
  • the second spherical cap has two diametrically opposed eyelets and in that said second spherical cap is sufficiently elastically deformable so as to be opened and a corresponding protuberance of the first spherical cap inserted in each one of the eyelets.
  • the mechanical eye is provided with an angular position sensor of the lever; with a switch module; and with a processor which stores different actuation programs of a motor associated with the lever and which is capable, upon the switch module being actuated, of selecting and executing one of the actuation programs of the motor stored as a function of the immediate angular position of the motorized lever.
  • the switch module comprises a transducer with at least any one of a pressure sensor, a noise sensor or a light sensor.
  • the motorized lever is equipped with a groove in which an eccentric projection connected to an actuation shaft, coupled to a motor, is inserted.
  • the actuation shaft rotates around an axis (z) parallel to the rotation axis (y) of the lever.
  • the projection is formed in a disc connected to the actuation shaft.
  • the mechanical eye is especially suitable for being used for the actuation of another eye and eyelid set, using for this the same motor and actuation shaft.
  • the motorized lever is joined by means of at least one transmission piece which extends normal to the rotation plane of the lever to another lever associated with another mechanical eye such that the actuation of this other lever is produced.
  • a module which simulates the blinking of artificial eyes for a toy, which comprises a first and second mechanical eyes according to the invention, arranged symmetrically with respect to a plane of symmetry, in which the lever associated with the eyelid of the first eye and the lever associated with the eyelid of the second eye are mounted rotatable around a common rotation axis (y) and in which the lever associated with the first eye is coupled to an actuation shaft of a motor while the lever associated with the second eye is a lever driven by the lever associated with the first eye by means of at least one transmission piece which joins both levers.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 are both perspective views of a mechanical eye according to the invention, in which the eyelid adopts two different positions: one in which it uncovers the eye and another in which it partially covers it;
  • FIGS. 3 a to 3 c are a sequence of the movement of the eyelid from a position A in which it uncovers the eye to a position B in which it completely covers it;
  • FIG. 4 shows a module which comprises two mechanical eyes according to the invention.
  • the mechanical eye 100 of FIGS. 1 and 2 is intended to form part of a toy.
  • This mechanical eye 100 comprises an artificial eye 1 and an artificial eyelid 3 , both made of plastic.
  • the artificial eye 100 comprises a piece in the form of a first spherical cap 2 which simulates the visible part of an eyeball and which may include drawings or illustrations of an iris and a pupil.
  • the artificial eyelid 3 comprises a piece in the form of a second spherical cap 4 which is mounted outside of the eye 1 in a rotatable manner around an axis (x) transversal to the eye 1 , such that the rotation thereof around this axis x causes the eyelid 3 to partially or completely cover or uncover the eye 1 .
  • the eyelid 3 may include, for example, elements which simulate an eyelash.
  • the first spherical cap 2 comprises two essentially cylindrical, diametrically opposed protuberances 9 orientated according to the axis (x) which extend outwards and which serve for the rotatable support and coupling of the second spherical cap 4 .
  • the second spherical cap 4 has two diametrically opposed eyelets 10 in each one of which a protuberance 9 is inserted.
  • said second spherical cap 4 is sufficiently elastically deformable so as to be opened and a corresponding protuberance 9 of the first spherical cap 2 to be inserted in each one of the eyelets 10 , returning to adopt its natural form by way of elastic reaction.
  • the protuberances 9 also serve to fix the eye 1 to an external casing, not depicted, such that the eyelets 10 cannot be removed and the eyelid 3 is coupled without the possibility of being released via the eye 1 .
  • the protuberances 9 also serve as support for torsion springs, the free ends thereof are loaded one against the second spherical cap 4 and the other against one fixed part of the mechanical eye 100 or of the toy, for example against the same protuberance 9 or against the casing in which the mechanical eye 100 is supported such that they act on the eyelid 3 and tend to arrange it in the position A which FIG. 1 illustrates.
  • the torsion springs perform the function of return means 7 , such that from any position in which the eyelid completely or partially covers the eye 1 , the eyelid commanded by the torsion springs tends to uncover the eye 1 .
  • the mechanical eye 100 also comprises a motorized lever 5 which may be actuated around a rotation axis (y) in opposed first and second directions a and b.
  • the resistance arm of the lever 5 is provided with a cam surface 6 , the function of which is explained below.
  • This lever 5 is arranged with respect to the eyelid 3 such that, due to the effect of the torsion springs, the eyelid 3 is permanently applied against the lever 5 . Consequently, the immediate position of the lever 5 determines the position of the eyelid 3 . By controlling the rotation of the lever 5 it is possible to control the extent to which the eyelid 3 covers the eye 1 .
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 show that the cited cam surface 6 of the motorized lever 5 is adapted for contacting and exerting a pressure on a portion 8 of the eyelid 3 when the lever is actuated in the direction b (see FIG. 2 ), the pressure being sufficient so as to shift the eyelid 3 , rotating it around the axis (x), overcoming the force which the return means 7 exert on the same, between at least the position A depicted in FIG. 1 and a position B, depicted in FIG. 2 , in which the eyelid 3 covers the eye 1 .
  • the eyelid 3 automatically uncovers the eye 1 due to the effect of the return means 7 .
  • the manual actuation of the eyelid 3 in the closing direction does not affect the movement of the lever 5 , which remains in the position thereof, and therefore the actuation motor 19 of the lever 5 does not idle.
  • the portion 8 of the eyelid 3 on which it contacts the cam surface 6 of the lever 5 has a curved and slightly rounded surface 8 a which is pronounced of a lip, on which the cam surface 6 can slide while the pressure of the lever 5 is transmitted to the eyelid 3 .
  • the mechanical eye 100 incorporates a motor 19 which produces the rotation of an actuation shaft 16 mechanically connected to the lever 5 .
  • the lever 5 is equipped with a groove 14 in which an eccentric projection 15 of the actuation shaft 16 , coupled to the motor 19 , is inserted (see sequence of the FIGS. 3 a to 3 c ).
  • This actuation shaft 16 rotates around an axis (z) parallel to the rotation axis (y) of the lever 5 and is connected to a disc 17 in which the projection ( 15 ) is formed in one single piece.
  • the invention considers that the mechanical eye 100 of FIGS. 1 and 2 can serve to actuate another eye 1 ′ and eyelid 3 ′ set by means of a corresponding lever 5 ′ and using, for this, the same motor 19 .
  • a resulting module 200 made for simulating the blinking of two artificial eyes 1 and 1 ′ for a toy is illustrated in FIG. 4 .
  • the lever 5 ′ of this other eye 1 ′ and eyelid 3 ′ set is may rotate around the same rotation axis (y) and is actuated by the movement of the lever 5 associated with the first eye 1 and eyelid 3 set.
  • the invention envisages that the levers 5 and 5 ′ are joined to each other and that only one of them is directly driven by the actuation shaft 16 .
  • FIG. 4 shows how the levers 5 and 5 ′ are joined by means of a transmission piece 18 which extends normal to the rotation plane of the levers and also by means of a common bushing 18 ′, the rotatable support thereof via a support casing performs the function of a fulcrum of the levers 5 and 5 ′ which rotate simultaneously.
  • the mechanical eye 100 or the module 200 are ideal for an interactive toy in which the actuation of the lever 5 or levers 5 , 5 ′ is triggered in response to external stimuli such as the voice or touch of a user.
  • the invention envisages providing the mechanical eye 100 or the module 200 with an angular position sensor 11 of the lever 5 ; with a switch module 12 ; and with a processor 13 which stores different actuation programs of the motor 19 associated with the lever 5 and which is capable, when the switch module 12 is actuated, of selecting and executing one of the actuation programs of the motor stored as a function of the immediate angular position of the motorized lever 5 .
  • the angular position sensor 11 can be of the type comprising a fixed support with electrically conductive tracks and brushes or tabs, which are also electrically conductive, but coupled to the lever 5 . Depending on the immediate position of the lever 5 , the brushes make electric contact with a different track which produces a different electric signal, it thereby being possible to know the position of the lever 5 .
  • the switch module 12 is preferably of the type comprising a transducer, capable of generating an electric impulse depending on an external physical phenomenon.
  • this transducer can comprise any one of a pressure sensor, noise sensor or light sensor.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Biophysics (AREA)
  • Cardiology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
  • Physiology (AREA)
  • Pulmonology (AREA)
  • Toys (AREA)
US14/985,620 2015-01-02 2015-12-31 Mechanical eye for a toy Abandoned US20160193536A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ESU201530005 2015-01-02
ES201530005U ES1135614Y (es) 2015-01-02 2015-01-02 Un ojo mecánico para un juguete

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20160193536A1 true US20160193536A1 (en) 2016-07-07

Family

ID=52355325

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US14/985,620 Abandoned US20160193536A1 (en) 2015-01-02 2015-12-31 Mechanical eye for a toy

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US20160193536A1 (es)
DE (1) DE202015008790U1 (es)
ES (1) ES1135614Y (es)
FR (1) FR3031319B3 (es)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2018015843A (ja) * 2016-07-28 2018-02-01 日本電信電話株式会社 コミュニケーション装置および方法
US11235255B2 (en) * 2018-06-19 2022-02-01 Realbotix. LLC Interchangeable face having magnetically adjustable facial contour and integral eyelids
US20220347588A1 (en) * 2021-04-29 2022-11-03 Ekta Pawar Three-dimensional animatronic eye

Citations (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4864607A (en) * 1986-01-22 1989-09-05 Tomy Kogyo Co., Inc. Animated annunciator apparatus
US5399115A (en) * 1992-08-04 1995-03-21 Toy Biz, Inc. Blinking doll with power storage mechanism
US5769687A (en) * 1997-03-24 1998-06-23 Ko; Lung Ching Rotatable toy eye
US20020111112A1 (en) * 2001-02-12 2002-08-15 Mattel, Inc. Compact motion mechanism for an animated doll
US6776681B2 (en) * 2001-05-07 2004-08-17 Mattel, Inc. Animated doll
US20060270312A1 (en) * 2005-05-27 2006-11-30 Maddocks Richard J Interactive animated characters
US20080014831A1 (en) * 2006-06-09 2008-01-17 Tim Rettberg Dolls with alterable facial features
US20090104843A1 (en) * 2007-10-19 2009-04-23 Industrial Technology Research Institue Position controlling mechanism and apparatus for controlling eye movement using the same
US20100015884A1 (en) * 2008-07-18 2010-01-21 Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd. Eyes for electronic pet
US8062092B2 (en) * 2008-12-02 2011-11-22 Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. Simulated eye assembly for toy
US8298037B2 (en) * 2008-08-26 2012-10-30 Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. Toy eye
US8662955B1 (en) * 2009-10-09 2014-03-04 Mattel, Inc. Toy figures having multiple cam-actuated moving parts

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN102039053A (zh) 2009-10-22 2011-05-04 鸿富锦精密工业（深圳）有限公司 仿真眼睛

Patent Citations (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4864607A (en) * 1986-01-22 1989-09-05 Tomy Kogyo Co., Inc. Animated annunciator apparatus
US5399115A (en) * 1992-08-04 1995-03-21 Toy Biz, Inc. Blinking doll with power storage mechanism
US5769687A (en) * 1997-03-24 1998-06-23 Ko; Lung Ching Rotatable toy eye
US20020111112A1 (en) * 2001-02-12 2002-08-15 Mattel, Inc. Compact motion mechanism for an animated doll
US6776681B2 (en) * 2001-05-07 2004-08-17 Mattel, Inc. Animated doll
US20060270312A1 (en) * 2005-05-27 2006-11-30 Maddocks Richard J Interactive animated characters
US20080014831A1 (en) * 2006-06-09 2008-01-17 Tim Rettberg Dolls with alterable facial features
US20090104843A1 (en) * 2007-10-19 2009-04-23 Industrial Technology Research Institue Position controlling mechanism and apparatus for controlling eye movement using the same
US20100015884A1 (en) * 2008-07-18 2010-01-21 Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd. Eyes for electronic pet
US8298037B2 (en) * 2008-08-26 2012-10-30 Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. Toy eye
US8062092B2 (en) * 2008-12-02 2011-11-22 Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. Simulated eye assembly for toy
US8662955B1 (en) * 2009-10-09 2014-03-04 Mattel, Inc. Toy figures having multiple cam-actuated moving parts

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2018015843A (ja) * 2016-07-28 2018-02-01 日本電信電話株式会社 コミュニケーション装置および方法
US11235255B2 (en) * 2018-06-19 2022-02-01 Realbotix. LLC Interchangeable face having magnetically adjustable facial contour and integral eyelids
US20220347588A1 (en) * 2021-04-29 2022-11-03 Ekta Pawar Three-dimensional animatronic eye
US11786832B2 (en) * 2021-04-29 2023-10-17 Ekta Pawar Three-dimensional animatronic eye

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ES1135614U (es) 2015-01-27
FR3031319A3 (fr) 2016-07-08
FR3031319B3 (fr) 2017-03-03
ES1135614Y (es) 2015-04-17
DE202015008790U1 (de) 2016-01-27

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US20160193536A1 (en) Mechanical eye for a toy
CA2657185C (en) Dolls with alterable facial features
US7322874B2 (en) Expression mechanism for a toy, such as a doll, having fixed or moveable eyes
US5399115A (en) Blinking doll with power storage mechanism
US20070099538A1 (en) Toy doll
TWI293571B (en) Device for animating facial expression
US8303368B2 (en) Simulated eye for toy
US20080293325A1 (en) Rotating doll eyeball
US7025655B2 (en) Dynamic eye simulation mechanism
US7207859B1 (en) Realistic animatronic toy
US3699707A (en) Doll with blinking eyelids moved by a pendulum
US2633670A (en) Hand puppet
GB2533863A (en) A Mechanical eye for a toy
KR101874978B1 (ko) 인형의 안구 및 눈꺼풀 구동장치
US20040214507A1 (en) Method and apparatus for attaching plush to an artificial eye
US4033071A (en) Sucking doll with cheekflexing means operated by turning bottle
US3693288A (en) Grasping hand for doll
US20090114059A1 (en) Curved surface actuating mechanism and doll using the same
CN103117017A (zh) 仿真模拟眼睛结构
US5975979A (en) Sound-emitting doll with mouth and arm movement and capable of removing its pacifier by itself
US4761150A (en) Moving eye for dolls
US3754351A (en) Doll
US2641867A (en) Mechanical fiddler
US4695265A (en) Puppet apparatus
CA2167637C (en) Device for closing one or both eyes of a doll

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: IMC TOYS, S.A., SPAIN

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:MANSILLA GONZALEZ, DAVID;CORONAS COMA, IVAN;REEL/FRAME:037389/0544

Effective date: 20150912

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION