GB2193650A - Toys having skeletal framework - Google Patents

Abstract

A toy, e.g. a doll, including a plurality of portions adapted for relative articulation, has a skeleton for which there are skeleton members corresponding to each portion of the toy other than extremities e.g., hands, feet. The skeleton is moulded as a single integrated structure with each skeleton member generally rigidly connected to the or each neighbouring skeleton member by a respective relatively narrow breakable region 12. The toy additionally comprises, for each portion of the toy for which there is a corresponding skeleton member, a body member (not shown) injection moulded generally around an end part of the corresponding skeleton member and also around the adjacent end part of each or any skeleton member to which the first mentioned end part is connected by one of the relatively narrow breakable regions. To complete the articulated toy, the various narrow breakable regions are broken after moulding of the body members. <IMAGE>

Description

1 GB2193650A 1 SPECIFICATION member; said skeleton being moulded as a

single integrated structure with each skeleton Toys member generally rigidly connected to the (each) neighbouring skeleton member by a re This invention relates to toys and in particular 70 spective relatively narrow breakable region; to articulated toys in which adjacent portions and the toy additionally comprising for each of the toy are jointed relative to each other. said portion of the toy for which there is a By the term -articulated toy- as used in corresponding skeleton member a body memthis specification we intend to encompass not ber injection moulded generally around an end only toy figures representing human, huma- 75 part of the said corresponding skeleton mem noid, animal or similar creatures and robotic ber and also around the adjacent end part of equivalents, but in addition construction toys the, each or any skeleton member to which of various kinds, as for example toy space the first mentioned end part is connected by a stations in which one part of the toy is selec- said relatively narrow breakable region. The in tively articulatable relative to an adjacent sec- 80 vention also extends to a toy as so defined in tion of the toy. which each said breakable region is broken, For ease of description, the present inven- thereby providing articulation between adjacent tion and its background will be described be- said portions of the toy.

low in terms of the construction of a generally In a second and alternative aspect of the human doll, but it is to be understood that the 85 present invention, there is provided a method invention is not limited to human dolls. for the construction of an articulated toy, the The construction by conventional injection method comprising moulding a single inte- moulding techniques of even the simplest grated skeletal structure comprising a plurality articulated doll in which the head is rotatable of members each generally rigidly connected on the neck relative to the thorax and the 90 to at least one other said member by a rela arms and legs are simply pivotable about an tively narrow breakable region; carrying out a axis as a whole at the shoulders and hips second moulding operation about a said skele involves seven separate injection mouldings tal structure whereby to provide a plurality of and fabrication steps to connect them to- separate outer body portions about said skele gether to produce the finished figure, involving 95 tal structure adapted together to form a significant labour costs. A more sophisticated generally complete outer body for said toy figure involving asimulation of upper arm figure apart from extremities thereof, each said movement at the shoulder and movement at outer body portion being formed generally the elbow, wrist and knee can involve as about an end part of one said member and many as thirty component parts and thirty- 100 also about the adjacent end part of the, each eight separate fabrication steps. It is not sur- or any other said member to which the first prising, therefore, that such figures are expen- mentioned end part is connected by a said sive to produce. Moreover, since they involve relatively narrow breakable region; and, at a so many parts and so many fabrication steps, time subsequent to completion of said second there are numerous points of possible failure. 105 moulding operation and removal of said inte The finished toy tends to have a relatively grated skeletal structure together with said short useful life with all its limbs intact. Gener- outer body portions from the mould employed ally these complicated figures require screws for said second moulding operation, breaking or rivets to hold the figure together. These are said breakable regions to confer articulation to unreal and unsightly. 110 said toy.

It has generally not been possible heretofore As will readily be appreciated the skeleton to provide an articulated toy figure in which all as defined above incorporated in the aforesaid the body portions have a soft feel like flesh. toy and the integrated skeletal structure de Where fleshy parts have been provided in fined above and employed in performing the articulated toy figures heretofore, these fleshy 115 construction method are essential elements for parts have generally been restricted to the dis- putting the invention in those respective as tat extremities such as the hands and head. In pects into practice. Particular said skeletons practice it has proved impossible to provide are the subject of further aspects of the inven the whole body with a soft exterior fleshy feel tion.

without having to resort to highly sophisti- 120 In accordance with one said further aspect cated and labour intensive construction tech- of the present invention, we provide a skele niques resulting in a product which is virtually ton for use in the construction of an articu unsaleably expensive. lated toy figure representing a human, huma- In accordance with one aspect of the pre- noid, animal or similar creature or a robotic sent invention, we provide a toy including a 125 equivalent, the skeleton comprising a head plurality of portions adapted for articulation member including a ball arranged to be lo relative to one or more adjacent said portions; cated within the thoracic region of the finished the toy having a skeleton comprising, at least toy figure and a plurality of additional skeleton for each said portion of the toy other than members, the head member and the additional portions at extremities of the toy, a skeleton 130 skeleton members being moulded as a single 2 GB 2 193 650A 2 integrated structure with each said additional ings of this invention, it becomes possible at skeleton member being generally rigidly con- economic construction costs to produce a toy nected to the head member or to a neighbour- figure in which essentially all the body por ing additional skeleton member via a tapered tions have a soft feel like flesh. The invention region terminating in a relatively narrow break- 70 can thus be applied to a posable doll or ani able region, which breakable regions are mal where the movements at the joints gener adapted to be broken without loss of material ally simulate those of a real creature, and in in the completed toy figure thereby to provide which because the toy or animal has a soft articulation between head and thorax, limbs squashy fleshy exterior, it seems to the child and thorax and between respective segments 75 more---real---.

of the limbs. The invention is hereinafter more particularly In a further aspect of this invention, there is described by way of example only with refer- provided a skeleton for use in the construction ence to the accompanying drawings in which:

of an articulated doll representing a human or Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a skeleton in humanoid figure or a robotic equivalent, the 80 accordance with the present invention for the skeleton comprising a head member terminat- construction of an articulated toy figure; ing in a ball, respective upper arm members Fig. 2 is a similar perspective view of body connected to the ball by respective relatively members which in practice of the invention narrow breakable regions, corresponding lower are moulded in situ about respective portions arm members connected to the upper arm 85 of the skeleton of Fig. 1 to produce a com members by respective relatively narrow plete toy figure; breakable regions, a pelvic member connected Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the complete to the ball by a relatively narrow breakable toy figure so resulting, prior to breaking of the region, respective thigh members connected respective breakable regions; to the pelvic member by respective relatively 90 Fig. 4 is a generally schematic view of a narrow breakable regions and corresponding mould for moulding the toy of Fig. 3 in two lower leg members connected to the corre- stages; the left-hand side of Fig. 4 shows a sponding thigh members by respective rela- first stage mould block within an outer mould tively narrow breakable regions; the skeleton tool and with the skeleton moulded in situ being moulded as a single integrated structure, 95 therein; while the right-hand side of Fig. 4 and the breakable regions being adapted to be shows a second stage mould block within the broken without loss of material in the com- same outer mould tool and with respective pleted toy thereby providing movement in the body members moulded in cavities of said completed toy doll simulating head and neck second stage mould block about the skeleton movement relative to the trunk, rotation of the 100 in situ; and trunk relative to the pelvis, movement of the Fig. 5 is a view generally similar to Fig. 4 legs relative to the pelvis and shoulder, elbow illustrating a modification in which the figure is and knee movement. The head member of the formed without head, hands or feet.

skeleton may be formed as a projection over Referring first to Fig. 1 of the accompanying which a selected head and facial expression 105 drawings, the skeleton 1 there illustrated is member representing a particular character intended for use in the construction of a hu may be pushed. Hands and/or feet or foot- man doll. It has a head member 2 including a wear members may be similarly provided se- ball 3 at one end. As will be explained below, parately from the skeleton and adapted for the ball 3 is arranged in the finished figure to coupling thereto either at the whim of a child 110 be located within the thoracic region thereof.

in play with the finished toy or as a selected There are a plurality of additional skeleton step in construction of a variety of character members including respective upper arm mem dolls utilising one and the same skeleton. bers 4, lower arm members 5, hand members Since the skeleton with which the present 6, a pelvic member 7, thigh members 8 and invention is concerned is an essentially com- 115 lower leg members 9 which in this embodi plete skeleton (with the possible exception of ment terminate in fixed boots 10. The skele the extremities such as the hands, feet and ton is moulded as a unitary structure and, for head and face), for each main segment of the this purpose, the ball 3 would be provided body such as lower arm, thigh or thorax in a with an injection gate (not shown) for the in toy figure there will be a body member 120 troduction of molten plastics material into a moulded over and about the corresponding mould, as described in more detail below with part of the skeleton; that body part may be reference to Figs. 4 and 5. Molten plastics so formed of a different and significantly less ri- injected then flows through small conduits gid plastics material from the relatively rigid from one mould cavity to another to form the plastics material from which the skeleton is 125 respective skeleton members 4 to 9 inclusive.

moulded. Accordingly, these outer body por- It will be noted that each of the additional tions which, being moulded about the skeleton skeleton members is generally rigidly con are not readily detachable, may be given a nected either to the head member or to squashy or fleshy feel. Consequently, by the another of the additional skeleton members via use of such material and following the teach- 130 - a tapered region 11 which in each case termi- 3 GB2193650A 3 nates in a relatively narrow breakable region To complete the figure, the skeleton 1 re- 12. quires outer body portions. These are illus- Referring again to Fig. 1, it will be noted trated in Fig. 2, and comprise a full set of that each upper arm member 4 includes a thorax 25, upper arm body members 26, flange 13 which in the finished figure serves 70 lower arm body members 27, thigh body as half of a 360 rotation joint at the shoul- members 28 and lower leg body members der. The upper arm member 4 also includes a 29. It should be understood that each of longitudinally extending flange 14 from which these body members is formed in a single protrude sideways extensions 15 which are piece by injection moulding by a method de- generally mushroom shaped, having a stem 16 75 scribed below with reference to Figs. 4 and 5, and a cap 17. the result being the figure 30 shown in Fig. 3.

The lower arm members 5 have a generally It will be noted in Fig. 3 that the flanges 13 similar configuration to the upper arm mem- and 20 all extend to the surface of the fin bers 4 but with the respective proportions dif- ished figure and serve to divide one outer fering slightly as appropriate for a lower arm. 80 body portion from the next. In this particular Extensions 15 of upper arm element 4 pro- embodiment the face and head 2 and the vide half of 180" rotation hinge joints posihands 6 and feet or footwear 10 are all tioned at the shoulders of the figure while the formed as parts of the skeleton and so are extensions 15 of the lower arm member 5 necessarily formed of a relatively rigid plastics provide half of 180 rotation hinge joints at 85 material. The material of the body portions 25 the elbows. Flange 13 of lower arm member to 29 inclusive may be substantially softer forms half of a 360' rotation joint at the than the material of the skeleton giving a feel elbows. of flesh. As will be explained below with ref- Either to restrict the freedom of movement erence to Fig. 4 and more particularly Fig. 5, at a joint or to cause the members to tempo- 90 it is also possible to provide hands, feet and rarily lock in a predetermined articulated condi- head and face of a softer material without tion, the extensions 15 may be provided with departing from the benefits of this invention.

detents (not shown) in the stem 16 or cap 17 We shall now explain the moulding proce- of extensions 15. dure with reference to Figs. 4 and 5. Fig. 4 The hand member 6 consists simply of a 95 shows a somewhat schematic view of the representation of a hand, the tapered portion lower half of a mould suitable for forming the 11 as aforesaid and an intervening extension figure of Fig. 3. The mould 30 comprises a 18 defining a gap between the tapered portion main outer tool 31 having a generally T 11 and the hand representation for one half of shaped cavity 32 in which are received first the 360' hand rotation at the wrist. 100 and second stage mould blocks 33, 34, the Pelvic member 7 comprises a tapered por- first stage mould block 33 being shown on tion 11 as aforesaid, a reduced section exten- the left of the figure and the second stage sion piece 19 best shown in Figs. 4 and 5 mould block 34 being shown on the right of and a generally T-shaped piece defining si- the figure. The outer mould tool also includes deways extending flanges 20 which, as best 105 cavities formed therein defining hands 35, shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5 define a waste or footwear 36 and a head 37. The mould belt region for the figure and a central flange should be of the kind which operates by a 21 from which protrude respective sideways simple open and shut movement to open and projections 22 similar in configuration but shut the two halves of the tool.

greater in size than the projections 15 men- 110 The first stage mould block 33 has cavities tioned above. It will be noted that the breakformed therein defining the parts of the skele able portions 12 intermediate the thigh mem- ton 1 apart from the cavities formed in the bers 8 and the pelvic member 7 are provided main outer tool for the head, hands and feet between the tapering regions 11 of the thigh or footwear. The second stage mould block members and caps 23 of the projections 22. 115 34 has cavities corresponding to the entire The thigh members 8 are generally similar in figure with the exception of hands 35, footconfiguration to the upper arm members 4 wear 36 and head 37. Moulding is carried out and lower arm members 5 except that the as follows:

longitudinal extension joining the tapered re gion 11 with the flange 13 in this case has rib 120 First Stage extensions 24. In the completed joint these 1. The main outer tool halves are closed ribs 24 have the effect of preventing rotation together with the first stage mould blocks at the knee, thereby better simulating real life. mounted in the cavity 32.

Of course, if the skeleton were being designed 2. Plastics material is injected into the to represent a non-human creature with un- 125 mould and allowed to cool.

conventional jointing between its limb seg- 3. The first stage mould blocks are sepa- ments, then the ribs 24 may be omitted. The rated and removed from the mould leaving the foot members 9 are generally similar in confi- skeleton held in position in the outer tool at guration to, while differing in detail and in pro- its head, hands and feet.

portion from, the hand portions 6. 130 4. The main outer tool is moved to the side 4 GB2193650A 4 in position to receive second stage mould 31.

blocks. The moulding procedure with the modified mould of Fig. 5 corresponds exactly with the Second Stage moulding procedure for the mould of Fig. 4 1. The second stage mould blocks are 70 described above. The resultant figure, how- closed about the skeleton in situ and the secever, has cavities (negative of the projections ond stage moulding material is injected and 40) left at the distal ends of the lower arm allowed to cool. members 27 for the selective insertion either 2. The main outer tool together with the by the manufacturer or by a child in play with second stage mould blocks is opened and the 75 the toy of a desired hand, possibly wielding a product ejected. weapon, or glove, etc. Where the feet would 3. The main outer blocks are returned to be in the finished toy there is a mere projec- the position for insertion of the first stage tion 38. Again, either in manufacture or at the mould blocks and for the first stage to be whim of a child in play, selected footwear, or commenced afresh. 80 alternatively the representation of a foot hav ing a negative cavity corresponding to the Third Stage projection 38 is pushed over the projection.

- 1. The figure is painted while still rigid. Similarly, either in manufacture or at the whim 2. The figure is flexed to snap the compo- of a child in play, a selected head is pushed nents of the skeleton apart at the breakable 85 onto the projection 39, the head being pro portions 12. vided with an internal cavity for receiving the The material employed in the first stage for projection.

producing the skeleton and in the second It will be readily appreciated by persons in stage for producing the outer body portions this art that the means illustrated in Fig. 5 about the corresponding portions of the skele90 whereby the hand can be selected after the ton are suitably different. To facilitate separa- moulding operation and the manner in which tion of the skeleton members at the breakable the foot can be selected after the moulding portions 12, the plastics material for the skel- operation may be different as shown here or eton may be glass-filled to make the breakable the same producing projections both at hand portions relatively more brittle. 95 and foot or alternatively cavities both at hand Even where the plastics materials for the and foot for receiving hand and foot members skeleton and for the outer body portions are carrying projections.

the same, since there will be a tendency for Referring again to Fig. 4, and in particular injected plastics material to form a skin the right-hand side thereof, when the break against any relatively cool surface it encoun- 100 able region 12 between ball 3 and upper arm ters in the mould, while still being molten be- member 4 is broken, the arm as a whole can hind the skin, there will be a tendency for the rotate at the shoulder but is held in place by second stage plastics material to form a skin the plastics material of the thorax flowing into against components of the skeleton as well as the region between the tapered portion 11 against the surfaces of the mould cavity in the 105 and the flange 13. As will be understood, the second stage mould blocks. Any risk of fusing plastics material of the upper arm body por between the two plastics materials when the tion flows between tapered portion 11 and second stage moulding operation is performed flange 13 of lower arm skeleton member 5 in can be reduced either by choosing a material exactly the same way so as to hold the lower for the second moulding operation which dif- 110 arm fixed to the upper arm, but with rotation fers significantly from that of the first (for possible at the elbow.

example nylon for the first and styrene for the As can be seen in Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5, the second) or by washing the skeleton 1 with a sides of the upper arm outer body portion 26 mould release agent or lubricant before pro- are provided with slots 41 in which the longi ceeding to the second stage of the moulding 115 tudinally extending flange 14 of the upper arm operation. skeleton member lies. Since the material of Fig. 5 shows a variation of the mould of the upper arm body portion 26 flows about Fig. 4 for producing a skeleton with the hand the mushroom shaped extensions 15 of the member omitted and with mere projections at upper arm skeleton member 4 in the second the feet and head rather than properly formed 120 stage moulding operation, the result is that feet or footwear and head and face. For this the upper arm body portion is held firmly in purpose, the outer mould member 31 is pro- place on the upper arm skeleton member vided with cavities at the feet and head corre- against detachment. The mushroom shaped sponding to the projections 38 at the feet and extensions serve as pillars for rotation of the 39 at the head; and, in place of the hand 125 upper arm to simulate shoulder movement.

cavities of the mould of Fig. 4, the mould of As will be understood there is a similar con- Fig. 5 has inwardly extending projections 40 struction at the elbow and at the knee and at the positions of the hands. For clarity in further description is accordingly deemed un illustration, shade lines have been added to necessary for the skilled man to obtain a full Fig. 5 to show the parts of the outer mould 130 understanding.

GB2193650A 5 With reference to the knee joint, however, either relatively rotatable with respect thereto since the plastics material of the thigh outer or relatively pivotable with respect thereto.

Claims (1)

1. body portion 28 flows about the correspond- 3. A toy according to Claim 2,

   wherein the ing portion of the skeleton thigh member 8 in toy represents a human, humanoid, animal or the second stage moulding operation, the efsimilar creature or a robotic equivalent; and fect of the ribs 24 is to serve as keys pre- wherein the said body portions consist of a venting rotation within the thigh body portion thorax and two or more limbs, the skeleton of the thigh skeleton member 8 and thus of comprising a head member including a ball lo the lower leg relative to the thigh, again to cated within the thorax and a plurality of limb simulate real life. 75 members.

   It will be noted, particularly from Figs. 3, 4 4. A toy according to Claim 3, wherein the and 5 that the neck opening 42 to the thorax skeleton comprises, in addition to the said is deliberately made wide so as to accommo- head member: respective upper fore-limb or date substantial movements left and right and arm members connected to the ball by re up and down of the head relative to the body. 80 spective relatively narrow breakable regions, Detents or projections may be added to the corresponding lower fore-limb or arm mem neck opening 42 or to the ball 3 to prevent bers connected to the upper fore-limb or arm the head from making a complete 360' rota- members by respective relatively narrow tion. breakable regions, a pelvic member connected Although the embodiments specifically de- 85 to the ball by a relatively narrow breakable scribed will provide a human or humanoid region, respective upper-hind- limb or thigh articulated toy doll, it will readily be appreci- members connected to the pelvic member by ated that the teachings of this invention can respective relatively narrow breakable regi. ons be applied equally well to the construction of and corresponding lower hind-limb or leg toy animals of various kinds, whether mam- 90 members connected to the corresponding up malian, reptilean or invertebrate or to the conper-hind-limb or thigh members by respective struction of so-called "extraterrestrial aliens" relatively narrow breakable regions.

   of bizarre configuration. 5. A toy according to Claim 3 or Claim 4, The invention is also not restricted to the wherein the said skeleton additionally com- construction of figures. Its teachings may be 95 prises hand or foot members terminating each applied to articulated vehicles, space stations said limb.

   in which parts of the space station articulate 6. A toy according to Claim 3 or Claim 4 relative to each other, jointed crane elements, wherein at least some of the limbs of the said etc. The invention can also be embodied in a figure terminate in a projection, forming part wholly abstract fashion in which the "limbs" 100 of the skeleton over which is adapted to be are simply abstract shapes and may be con- fitted a selected limb termination member nected one to the other in any possible variarepresenting a hand or foot or the like, the tion but with a degree of articulation relative said termination member being formed with a to each other. complementary socket for the said projection.

   105 7. A toy according to any of Claims 3 to CLAIM8 6,wherein the said head member consists of 1. A toy including a plurality of portions the said ball and a projection over which a adapted for articulation relative to one or more selected head representing a particular charac adjacent said portions; the toy having a skele- ter, animal or the like is adapted to be ton comprising, at least for each said portion 110 pushed, the said head having a complemen of the toy other than portions at extremities tary cavity for receiving the said projection.

   of the toy, a skeleton member; said skeleton 8. A toy according to any of Claims 3 to 7, being moulded as a single integrated structure wherein the skeleton is formed from a first with each skeleton member generally rigidly relatively rigid plastics material, and wherein connected to the (each) neighbouring skeleton 115 each said body member is formed of a plas member by a respective relatively narrow tics material which is substantially less rigid breakable region; and the toy additionally than said first plastics material, whereby to comprising, for each said portion of the toy confer upon all the said body portions a soft for which there is a corresponding skeleton feel simulating flesh.

   member, a body member injection moulded 120 9. A toy according to any of Claims 1 to 8, generally around an end part of the said corre- wherein each said breakable region is broken, sponding skeleton member and also around thereby providing articulation between adjacent the adjacent end part of the, each or any skel- said portions of the toy.

   eton member to which the first mentioned end 10. A method for the construction of an part is connected by a said relatively narrow 125 articulated toy, the method ccmprising a first breakable region. step of moulding a single integrated structure 2. A toy according to Claim 1, wherein each comprising a plurality of members each gener- said body member in relation to the or any ally rigidly connected to at least- one other said skeleton member with which it is associ- said member by a relatively narrow breakable ated by being moulded in part thereabout is 130 region; carrying out a second moulding oper- 6 GB2193650A 6 ation about a said structure whereby to pro- are adapted to be broken without loss of ma vide a plurality of separate outer body por- terial in the completed toy figure thereby to tions about said structure adapted together to provide articulation between head and thorax, form a generally complete outer body for said limbs and thorax and between respective seg toy figure apart from extremities thereof, each 70 ments of the limbs.

   said outer body portion being formed generally 14. A skeleton for use in the construction about an end part of one said member and of an articulated doll representing a human or also about the adjacent end part of the, each humanoid figure or a robotic equivalent, the or any other said member to which the first skeleton comprising a head member terminat mentioned end part is connected by a said 75 ing in a ball, respective upper arm members relatively narrow breakable region; and at a connected to the ball by respective relatively time subsequent to completion of said second narrow breakable regions, corresponding lower moulding operation and removal of said inte- arm members connected to the upper arm grated skeletal structure together with said members by respective relatively narrow outer body portions from the mould employed 80 breakable regions, a pelvic member connected for said second moulding operation, breaking to the ball by a relatively narrow breakable said breakable regions to confer articulation to region, respective thigh members connected said toy. to the pelvic member by respective relatively 11. A method according to Claim 10, narrow breakable regions and corresponding wherein the first moulding step and said sec- 85 lower leg members connected to the corre ond moulding operation are performed in the sponding thigh members by respective rela same mould, each half of the mould compris- tively narrow breakable regions; the skeleton ing a main outer tool and a first stage mould being moulded as a single integrated structure, block and a second stage mould block which and the breakable regions being adapted to be mould blocks are inter-changeable in a cavity 90 broken without loss of material in the com formed in the main outer tool, the first stage pleted toy thereby providing movement in the mould block having cavities defining said inte- completed toy doll simulating head and neck gral skeletal structure, and the second stage movement relative to the trunk, rotation of the mould block having cavities defining a gener- trunk relative to the pelvis, movement of the ally complete outer body for said toy figure 95 legs relative to the pelvis, and shoulder, elbow apart from extremities thereof. and knee movement.

   12. A method according to Claim 11 15. A skeleton according to Claim 13 or -adapted for the construction of an articulated Claim 14, wherein the said head member con- toy figure representing a human, humanoid, sists of the said ball and a projection adapted animal or similar creature or a robotic equiva- 100 to receive a selected head and facial expres lent, wherein the main outer tool is provided sion member representing a particular charac with cavities defining bodily extremities of the ter and having a cavity corresponding to and figure, the bodily extremities comprising a adapted to receive the said projection.

   head proper and limb extremities or projec- 16. A skeleton according to any of Claims tions for mounting thereon, subsequent to the 105 13, 14 or 15, wherein one or more limbs of moulding operation, a selected head and limb the skeleton terminate(s) in a projection extremities, the said bodily extremities forming adapted to receive a hand or foot or footwear part of said single integrated structure, member provided with a complementary whereby said single integrated structure is socket adapted to receive the said projection.

   held in the said mould after the first moulding 110 17. A toy substantially as herein before de- step when the first stage mould blocks are scribed with reference to and as shown in the detachably removed from the said mould, the accompanying drawings.

   second stage mould blocks are substituted 18. A method for the construction of an therefor and the second stage moulding operarticulated toy substantially as herein before ation is performed. 115 described with reference to and as shown in 13. A skeleton for use in the construction the accompanying drawings.

   of an articulated toy figure representing a hu- 19. A skeleton substantially as herein before man, humanoid, animal or similar creature or a described with reference to and as shown in robotic equivalent, the skeleton comprising a the accompanying drawings.

   head member including a ball arranged to be located within the thoracic region of the fin- Published 1988 at The Patent Office, State House, 66/71 HighHolborn, London WCIR 4TP. Further copies maybe obtained from ished toy figure and a plurality of additional The Patent Office, Sales Branch, St Mary Cray, Orpington, Kent BR5 3RD.

   skeleton members, the head member and the Printed by Burgess & Son (Abingdon) Ltd. Con. 1/87.

   additional skeleton members being moulded as a single integrated structure with each said additional skeleton member being generally ri gidly connected to the head member or to a neighbouring additional skeleton member via a tapered region terminating in a relatively nar row breakable region, which breakable regions