US3609909A

US3609909A - Animated doll

Info

Publication number: US3609909A
Application number: US866953A
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert Gardel; Egon Gorsky
Original assignee: Mattel Inc
Current assignee: Mattel Inc
Priority date: 1969-10-16
Filing date: 1969-10-16
Publication date: 1971-10-05
Anticipated expiration: 1988-10-05

Abstract

A DOLL HAVING ANIMATED TORSO, LEG, ARM AND HEAD MOVEMENT. THE TORSO IS COMPRISED OF AN UPPER AND LOWER PORTION THE UPPER PORTION OF WHICH GYRATES WITH RESPECT TO THE LOWER PORTION. THE ARMS AND THE HEAD OF THE DOLL MOVE AS THE TORSO OF THE DOLL GYRATES. THE LEGS ARE ADAPTED TO MOVE THE DOLL AS THE MOVEMENT OF THE TORSO SHIFTS THE WEIGHT OF THE DOLL FROM ONE LEG TO THE OTHER LEG.

Description

Oct. 5, 1971 R. GARDEL ETAL 3,609,909

ANIMATED DOLL Filed oct. 16', 1959 5 sheets-sheet 1 /IVVE /V 7' Ofi POBEPT GHADA E60/v sopa/f Oct. 5, 1971 R. GARDEL ETAL ANIMATED DOLL 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 16. 1969 M .JM m e W 5 W Oct. 5, 197] R. GARDEL ETAL 3,609,909

ANIMATED DOLL Filed Oct. 16, 1969 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 fg@ g F/G. 7

all/77M@ l- Oct. 5, 1971 R GARDEL EI'AL 3,609,909

' ANIMATED DOLL Filed Oct. 16, 1969 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 3o un 242 nited States Patent O1 Fee Patented Oct. 5, 1971 3,609,909 ANIMATED DOLL Robert Gardel, New York, NX., and Egon Gorsky, Westfield, N .3., assgnors to Mattel, Inc., Hawthorne, Calif. Filed Oct. 16, 1969, Ser. No. 866,953 Int. Cl. A63h 11/14 U.S. Cl. 46-150 12 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A doll having animated torso, leg, arm and head movement. The torso is comprised of an upper and lower portion the upper portion of which gyrates with respect to the lower portion. The arms and the head of the doll move as the torso of the doll gyrates. The legs are adapted to move the doll as the movement of the torso shifts the weight of the doll from one leg to the other leg.

This invention relates generally to an animated doll and more particularly to an yanimated walking and/or dancing doll.

There are various types of walking dolls available. In one type of walking doll, the motor is directly connected by linkage to the legs of the doll so that the doll is driven in a forward direction by the legs moving with respect to each other. However, the disadvantage of this type of doll is that the leg mechanism is relatively expensive and the walking motion of the doll is stiff thereby making Athe doll look unnatural during the walking movement.

In another available walking doll, a weight is provided within the body of the doll which is shifted from one side of the doll to the other. The legs of the doll are independent of the motor or weight in the body and pivotally depend from the torso of the doll. As the weight is shifted from one side to the other of the doll, the leg which has no weight thereon moves forward. As the weight shifts to the leg that has been previously moved, the other leg also moves forward, thereby simultaing a walking movement as the doll shifts from side to side by the weight therein. However, this doll is also unnatural looking as it walks because the motion of the torso is limited. The advantage, however, is that the leg movement is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

In neither of these dolls is there natural motion imparted to portions of the doll outside of the legs because of the fact that motion of any other parts of the body would require supplemental linkages or additional drive mechanism. Consequently, aside from the movement of the legs, there is little animation in these dolls.

It is therefore an object of the invention to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved animated walking doll.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved walking doll which utilizes a driving movement which enables the torso of the doll to move in a gyrating fashion about the axis of the body.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new and useful animated doll which has a mechanism which enables the arms and head of the doll to move when the legs of the doll are moved to cause either a walking or dancing action of the doll.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved walking doll which has a gyrating torso action which actuates movement of the arms and head of the doll.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved mechanism for securing the legs of a wall;- ing doll to the torso thereof.

These and other objects of the invention are vachieved by providing an animated doll which includes a substantially upright torso. A pair of depending leg members for supporting the torso and a head member are provided. The torso comprises a lower portion and an upper portion. A shaft is provided which is elongated and has a central. portion and a pair of end portions which are offset at an angle with respect to the axis of the central portion of the shaft. A first of the end portions is pivotally mounted in the lower portion of the torso. The central portion of the shaft extends longitudinally through the upper portion of the torso and is adapted to rotate therein. The head member is supported by the other of the end portions of the shaft and drive means are provided for rotating the shaft so that the upper torso portion and head member of the doll gyrate with respect to the lower torso portion and the leg members.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. l is a front elevational view of a doll embodying the invention in a first position;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the doll in a second position;

3 is a side elevational view of the doll in a third position;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the doll in a fourth position;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevational view of the doll with the forward portions of the torso shell removed and portions shown in vertical section for purposes of clarity;

FIIC. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 6 6 in FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 7-7 in FWIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a sectional View taken along the line 8-8 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line 9 9 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line 10h10 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along the lines 11-11 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 12-12 in FIG. 1l; and

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the means for securing a leg member to the torso of the doll.

Referring now in greater detail to the various figures of the drawings wherein similar reference numerals refer to similar parts, a doll embodying the invention is generally shown at 20 in FIGS. 1 through 4.

The doll 20 basically comprises a torso 22, a head member 24, a pair of

arm members

26 and 28 and a pair of

leg members

30 and 32 which depend from and support the torso 22.

The axis of the body of the doll is illustrated in phantom at 34 in FIGS. 1 to 4. As noted above, the FIGS. 1 through 4 show four of the positions of the doll during a complete walking cycle. That is, the axis of the doll 34 basically includes a pair of vertically extending

portions

36 and 38 which are connected together by a central offset portion 40.

The torso 22 of the doll is comprised of a lower torso portion 42 and an upper torso portion 44.

As best seen in FIGS. 1 to 4 the lower straight portion 36 of the axis 34 extends through the lower torso 42 of the doll. The offset portion 40 of the axis extends through the upper torso portion 44 and the vertical upper portion 38 of the axis extends through the head 24.

The lower portion 36 of the axis remains stationary with respect to the lower portion 42. of the torso and substantially stationary with respect to the

legs

30 and 32. The offset portion 40 of the axis rotates about the vertical axis portion 36 when the doll is set in motion. The upper vertical portion 38 of the axis follows the rotation of the offset portion 40.

Thus, the movement of the offset portion 40 stays within a conical configuration whereas the movement of the upper vertical portion 38 of the axis is within a cylindrical configuration. Viewing the doll from above, the straight portion 38 and offset portion 40 rotate in a clockwise direction about the lower vertical portion 36 of the axis 34. Thus, the axis of the doll shown in FIG. l is rotated 90 to arrive and be disposed at the position shown in FIG. 4. The rotation of the axis an additional 90 causes the doll to be disposed in the position shown in FIG. 2. Rotation of the axis another 90 causes the doll to be in the position shown in FIG. 3. Rotation of the axis an additional 90 brings the doll back to the position shown in FIG. l.

It should be understood that

legs

30 and 32 vertically depend from the lower torso 42 and are pivotally mounted with respect thereto. The legs are both so mounted with respect to the lower portion 42 of the torso that when the center of gravity of the doll is disposed over one leg, the other leg is lifted and moves forward.

When the doll is in the position in FIG. l, the weight of the doll is centered over the leg 32 which acts to support the entire doll. The leg 30 is therefore lifted above the ground and moves forward. Thus, as best seen in FIG. 4, when the axis rotates to the position shown therein, the leg 30 is in the front of leg 32. When the doll is in the position shown in FIG. 2, the weight of the doll is centered over leg 30 which supports the entire doll. Leg 32 is then lifted above the ground and therefore moves forward. Thus, as seen in FIG. 3, when the

portions

40 and 38 of the axis of the doll are in the position shown in FIG. 3, the leg 32 is in front of leg 30.

It should also be noted that as the doll moves through the positions shown in FIGS. l, 4, 2 and 3 in succession, the

arms

26 and 28 are moved upwardly and downwardly with respect to the torso 22. As the central portion 40 of the axis moves toward the left, the left arm is raised and arm 26 is lowered. As the offset portion 40 moves to the right portion of the doll, the right arm is raised while the left arm 28 is lowered. Consequently the arms move in a natural motion as the doll walks. It also should be noted that the head 24 constantly changes its position with respect to the upper portion of the torso 44.

It can therefore be seen that an animated walking doll is provided. The doll not only has motion in the legs but also the natural gyrating torso motion of a toddler just learning to walk as well as arm and head movement.

The construction of doll 20 is best seen in connection with FIGS. through 13. As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the upper torso comprises a rear shell 52 and a forward shell 54 which are preferably made of molded plastic which together form a housing for a drive means comprised of motor 56, a gear train 58 and a drive shaft 60.

The motor 56 preferably comprises a D C. motor which is supported by a U-shaped bracket 62.

As best seen in FIGS. 6 and 8, the U-shaped bracket 62 is secured to the web of a U-shaped bracket 64, the legs of which extend substantially horizontally. The rear shell 52 includes an inwardly extending compartment 66 which includes a pair of inwardly extending vertically disposed walls 68 and 70 and a bridging vertically disposed integral wall 72. Bracket 64 is secured to walls 68 and 70- by suitable fasteners 74.

The rear shell 52 further includes an opening in which a rectangular panel 76 is suitably secured. The panel 76 includes an on-off switch 78 which is mounted thereon and which includes a manually movable member on the outside surface to selectively enable energization of motor 56.

Shaft 60 is pivotally mounted in an L-shaped bracket 80 which is secured by fastener 82 to the bridging wall 72 of the compartment 66. An opening is provided in the upper legs of bracket 80 for receiving a bearing 84 in which shaft 60 rotates.

Shaft 60 basically comprises an elongated shaft which includes a pair of vertically extending end portions 86 and 88 which are integral with an offset central portion 90.

As best seen in FIG. 6, the lower vertical end portion 86 is provided in the lower torso portion 42. The central portion 90 of the shaft is provided in the upper torso portion 44 and the upper portion 88 of the shaft extends into the head member 24.

Gear train 58 includes a plurality of

gears

92, 94 and 96 which are mounted on the central portion 90 of shaft 60, The

gears

92 and 94 are rotatably mounted upon the shaft 90 and gear 96 is keyed to the central portion 90 by a keying pin 918 which extends through the lower boss of the gear 96 and portion 90 of the shaft 60.

Gear train `58 also includes

gears

100 and 102 which are pivotally secured to a pin 104 which is secured and supported by a U-shaped bracket 106. The lower leg of bracket 106 is disposed substantially horizontally and is secured to and supported by a plate 108 which is preferably adhesively secured to the lower surface of shells 52 and S4 and which forms the floor of the upper torso 44.

The bracket 106 is secured to the plate 108 by a suitable fastener 110 and is spaced from the lower plate 108 by a pair of spacing washers 112. The gear train 58 thus forms a reducing gear between the shaft 460 and a gear 114 which is connected to the shaft of motor 56. A planar plate 116 similar to plate 108 is secured thereto and with plate 108 forms the bottom wall of upper torso portion 44.

Plates

108 and 116 include an opening 118 through which the conductor leads 120 extend from battery terminals in the lower torso 42 to the switch 78 and the motor S6.

Plates

108 and 116 include an opening 122 through which the central portion 90 of the shaft 60 extends.

As best seen in FIG. 5, the rear shell 52 of the upper torso 44 includes a pair of integrally formed horizontally extending cylindrical socket members 124. A pair of integrally formed horizontally extending cylindrical pins (not shown) are provided in the front shell 54 and enable securement between the front and rear shells by a pressed fit of the pins within the sockets 124. The front shell and rear shell include complementary slots which form a lirst opening 126 for reception of a neck member 128 and a pair of lateral openings for reception of cylindrical lever means 130 and 132 which support

arm members

26 and 28, respectively.

As best seen in FIG. 6, the neck member 128 is generally cylindrical and includes a cylindrical boss 134 and an enlarged portion 136 which has an arcuately tapered outer surface to facilitate rotation within opening 126.

The neck member 128 further includes a cylindrical recess 138 which forms the mouth of an axially extending opening through the neck member 128. The neck member 128 is rotatably mounted on end portion 88 of shaft 60 by inserting the shaft through the axially extending opening in the neck member.

A pin 140 is pressed t through a transversely extending opening in the end portion 88- of the shaft to limit the longitudinal movement of the neck member 128 with respect to the shaft. Within the recess 138, a washer 142 is provided between the shoulder of the recess 138 and a pin 144 which is pressed fit through a transversely extending opening in the end portion 88. The neck member 128 is thus fixed longitudinally with respect to the shaft 88 between pins 140 and 144. However, member 128 is rotatable with respect to the shaft 88.

An elongated pin 146 is secured in the neck member 128 parallel to the shaft portion 88. The pin 146 is secured by a suitable fastening member 148 which is secured axially in the pin 146. The pin 146 is trapped longitudinally with respect to the neck member 128 by a peripheral annular collar 150 which is secured to the lowermost portion of the pin 146. The pin 146 projects downwardly and extends into a slot 152 in the L-shaped bracket 80. The slot 152 and pin 146 form a limiting means to prevent rotation of the head and neck member 128 with the shaft portion 88 of the shaft 60.

As best seen in FIG. 6, the head member 24 is preferably hollow and comprised of molded plastic. The head includes an opening at the lowermost end thereof which iits about the cylindrical portion 134 of the neck member 128 and rests against the enlarged portion 136 at the shoulder therebetween.

As best seen in FIG. 8, the lever members 130 and 13-2 are each generally cylindrical and each have an enlarged end portion 154 which includes a tapered arcuate front edge 156 to enable insertion of the enlarged end member into an opening in the arm members. The

arm members

26 and 28 are preferably hollow and are comprised of molded plastic. The rear surface of the enlarged portion 154 is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the lever member '130 to thereby preclude the arm members from being pulled off the lever member easily.

An annular collar 158 is also provided on each lever member which is spaced from the rear surface of the enlarged end portion 154 to form therebetween an annular groove in which the wall of the opening in the arm member 26 is trapped. The arms are frictionally secured in the groove to enable a change of the disposition of the arms by forcing the rotation of the arm with respect to the lever member.

Spaced from the collar 158 is an enlarged rear member 160 which forms with the collar 158 a second annular groove which embraces the periphery of the lateral openings in the front and

rear shells

52 and 54 of the upper torso portion. The

lever members

130 and 132 are each rotatably mounted within the openings provided in the sides of the upper torso.

A pin 162 is axially mounted in each of the

lever members

130 and 132 which extends inwardly of the upper torso and through openings provided in walls 68 and 70 of the compartment 66. A bearing 164 is provided in the opening to enable rotation of the pins 162 in the walls 68 and 70, respectively.

As best seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, rods 166 are pivotally secured to the lever members .130 and 132 by suitable fasteners 168. Each of the rods 166 includes a attened portion 170 which is mounted adjacent the

lever members

130 and 132. The rod depends from fastener 168 through an opening 172 in the plate 108 of the upper torso 44.

As best seen in FIG. 6, the lower portion of the torso 42 includes a rear shell 180 and a forward shell 182 which house a dry cell battery 184. The rear and

front shells

180 and 182 are each preferably comprised of molded plastic. The rear shell includes a plurality of sockets 186 which are formed integrally with the shell and which extend horizontally. The front shell 182 includes a plurality of pins 188 which are integrally formed with shell 182 and which extend horizontally and are aligned with sockets 186 so that the pins are press tit into the socket 186 to secure the front shell to the rear shell.

Battery 184 is supported by a bracket 190 which is suitably secured to the shell of the lower torso. As best seen in FIG. 6, at one end of the bracket 190 is provided a terminal 192 which is comprised of a exible or resilient contact of conductive metal for engaging a first terminal of battery 184. A removable panel 194 is provided in the rear wall of the rear shell 180 which is aligned with the end of battery 184 so that the battery may be replaced after it is run down. The inside surface of door 194 includes a contact terminal 196.

Terminal 196 contacts the other terminal of the dry cell so that terminals 192 and -196 are provided across the potential of the battery. A pair of conductor leads are connected to the terminals 192 and 196 and as set forth above are connected via the switch 78 to the input leads of the motor 56.

As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6,

shells

180 and 182 include an upwardly extending skirt 200 which extends around the periphery of the shells and 182 and which overlaps the lower surface of the shells 5-2 and 54. The skirts also include an inner arcuate surface to enable the rotation of the upper torso 44 within the skirt 200 so that no space or hiatus is visible between the upper and lower torso.

The shell 180 further includes an integral top wall 202 which forms the top wall of the lower torso 42. A plate 204 which is substantially the same size as the top wall 202 is secured to the wall 202 to the upper surface thereof by fasteners 205. Wall 202 and plate 204 are horizontally disposed and extend between the periphery of skirt 200.

As best seen in FIGS. 6` and 10, wall 202 and plate 204 include aligned openings 206 which extend vertically and enable passage of conductors 120 from the upper torso into the lower torso. Openings are also provided centrally of wall 202 and plate 204 in which a bearing 208 is provided for rotational securement of shaft 60. Shaft 60 includes at the top of the lower portion 86 a pair of projections 210. Projections 210 are spaced from the plate 204 by a spacing washer 212 which acts to space the lower wall 108 of the upper portion of the torso from the top plate 204 of the lower torso 42. Thus, the inclined attitude of the lower wall of the upper torso is inhibited from engaging the topwall of the lower torso which is substantially horizontally disposed.

The plate 204 and wall 202 further include a slotted opening 214 which extends through both the plate and the Wall which extends forwardly and through which a pin 216 extends. As best seen in FIG. 6, pin 216 is secured to the lower wall 108 of the upper torso 44 and projects downwardly. The pin 216l includes enlarged head 218 which rests on the upper surface of wall 108 and a threaded portion 220 which extends through an opening in wall 108y and a nut 222 which is threadedly secured to the threaded portion of the pin 216 so that the wall 108 is trapped between the enlarged head 218 and nut 222.

The pin 216 extends transversely to the lower wall 108 and acts to prevent movement of the upper torso 44 with the shaft 60. That is, the pin 216 which rides in slotted opening 214 in the top wall of the lower torso 42 prevents the rotation of the upper torso with respect to the lower torso. Therefore, the central portion 90 of the shaft 60 rotates about its axis yet the upper torso moves with the axis of the central portion 90 of the shaft but AWithout rotating therewith. This provides a gyrating motion of the upper torso with respect to the lower torso.

It should also be noted that the pin 216 extends through a slotted opening in the upper wall of the lower torso. This means that pin 216 can move from the rear of the slot 214 to the forward portion of the slot.

For example, when the shaft 60 is in the position shown in FIG. 6, the pin 216 is disposed closer to the rear of the slot 214 as shown in FIG. l0. However, when the shaft is in the position which causes the doll to be in the position shown in FIG. 3, the lower wall of the upper torso is more closely spaced to the rear of plates 204 and wall 202 thereby causing the pin 216 to pass through the forwardmost portion of the slotted opening 214. Of course, as the portion 90 of shaft 60 gyrates the pin is moved between the extreme positions discussed hereina'bo-ve.

As best seen in FIGS. 7 and l0, plate 204 and wall 202 further include a pair of openings 224 through which rod -166 extends. As best seen in FIG. 7, each of the openings 224 is smaller within plate 204 and larger within plate 202. That is, the portion of opening 224 in plate 204 is smaller than the portion of opening 224 in wall 202. Rod 166 is secured against longitudinal movement through opening 24 by a pair of projections 226 which rest on the upper surface of plate 204 and a pin 228 which extends through a transversely extending opening in rod 166 that is press lit therein. The pin 228 is adjacent the lower surface of wall 202. The projections 226 and pin 228 thereby prevent movement of the rod 166 through opening 224. The enlarged portion of opening 224 in plate 202 enables the rod 166 to` rotate in a gyrating fashion in the opening 224.

Thus, each of the rods 166 is fixed longitudinally with respect to the lower torso 42. Thus, when the upper torso 44 moves with portion 90 of shaft 60, the lever` member 132 is rotated in the directions of arrows 230 about the axis through pin 162.

The bracket 190 which supports battery 184 further includes an opening in the top leg thereof. As best seen in FIG. 6, the lower portion 86 of shaft 60 includes an integral collar 232 which bears on the upper surface of bracket 190. The endmost portion of shaft 86 extends into the opening in bracket 190 and is adapted to rotate therein.

As best seen in FIG. 5, the lower torso portion includes a pair of

openings

238 and 240 which are provided in the opposing lateral surfaces of the xlower torso shell for securement of the

leg members

30 and 32 to the lower torso. The

leg members

30 and 32 are both hollow and are preferably comprised of molded plastic. The legs are spaced from each other by the lower torso.

As best seen in FIG. 1l, each of the

leg members

30 and 32 includes a dished portion 242. The dished portion 242 of each leg includes at the central portion thereof a transverse-ly extending annular flange 244. As best seen in FIGS. 12 and 13, a pair of recesses 246 are provided in the dished portion 242 on diametrically opposed sides of the flange 244. The flange 244 includes an integral end wall 248 which extends transversely to the axis of the annular ange and which includes an opening 250.

The

legs

30 and 32 are secured to the lower torso portion 42 by a pair of pivotable securing mechanisms 252. The mechanisms 252 are each similar and are best seen in FIG. 13. The mechanisms each basically comprise a securing disc 254, a pivotally mounted disc 256, an indexing member 258, a locking member 260, a lock washer 262 and a spring 264.

The securing disc 254 includes a semi-circular portion 266 and a generally rectangular portion 268. The substantially straight lateral surfaces 270 of the rectangular portion 268 of disc 254 prevent the securing disc 254 from rotating with respect to the lower torso portion 42. That is, the

openings

238 and 240 in the lower torso portion 42 have a complementary shape to the securing disc 254 and include a peripheral groove or channel 272 (FIG. l2) which extends about the entire periphery of the

openings

238 and 240. The disc 254 of each of the Walking mechanisrns 252 reside in the grooves 272 of the

openings

238 and 240.

If the disc 254 were circular and the

openings

238 and 240 in the y'lower torso were also circular, the disc 254 would be able to rotate within the groove. However, as best seen in FIG. 6, the opening 240 is somewhat rectangular in rear shell 180 whereas the forwardmost portion is circular in the forward shell 182 of the lower torso portion 42. It can therefore be seen that when the

shells

180 and 182 of the lower portion of the torso are placed together, the discs 254 are assembled therebetween in each

ofthe openings

238 and 240.

Each disc includes a centrally located circular opening 274. The disc 254 also includes an opening through lwhich a rivet 276 extends and an opening through which a pin 278 extends and is secured by a pressed lit.

As best seen in FIG. 13, the rivet 276 is aligned with an opening 280 in the pivotable disc 256. The rivet 276 is utilized to secure the disc 254 to disc 256 with the disc 256 adapted to rotate with respect to disc 254 about the axis through the rivet 276. An opening 282 is provided at the rear of the disc 256. Opening 282 is larger than opening 280 and is also larger than the diameter of the shaft of pin 278. Opening 282 acts as a limiting means to limit the `amount of pivoting of disc 256 with respect to disc 254. That is, pin 278 abuts the periphery of opening 282 at the limits of the rotation.

Disc 256 further includes a hat-shaped projection 284. Projection 284 is substantially cylindrical and has a circular end wall 286. End wall 286 includes an elongated opening 288 which extends between a pair of

openings

290 and 292. Wall 286 f-urther includes beads or projections 29-4 which are provided adjacent the periphery of end wall 286. Three beads 294 are provided which are spaced from each other approximately 120 about the periphery of the end wall 286.

The index members 258 each basically comprise an annu'lar or cylindrical member having an end wall 296 with a plurality of openings 298. The end wall 296 further includes a central opening 300. Openings 298 are spaced about the wall 296 at approximately 120 so that they are aligned with projections 294. The indexing members further include a pair of L-shaped projections 302 which depend from the indexing member and which when assembled on the annular ange 244, reside in the recesses 246 of the

leg members

30 and 32.

The locking members 260 are each elongated and hookshaped at end 304 and include a pair of L-shaped

projections

306 and 308 at the opposite end thereof. The washer 262 includes an opening 309 through which the locking member 260 extends. The spring 264 includes a transversely extending end piece 310 which is best seen in FIG. l2 and `which is utilized to secure the hook at end 304 of locking member 260.

As best seen in FIG. 12, the locking member 260 acts to secure the

leg members

30 and 32 to the pivotable disc 256 of each of the pivotable securing members. The member 260 extends through the center of spring 264 through opening 309 in washer 262, through opening 250 and the end 4wall 248 of annular ange 244, opening 300, indexing member 258 and through opening 288 of the disc 256.

The hook-shaped end 304 is secured to end piece 310 and the L-shaped projections extend through

openings

290 and 292, respectively, and are urged towards the spring 264 which acts to urge the hook-shaped end 304 away from the washer 262. In securing the locking member 260 to the disc 256, the plane of the locking member 260 is at a angle with respect to the position shown in FIG. 12 so that it may be inserted through opening 288 between

openings

290 and 292. The hook member 260 is then ro tated 90 so that projections 366 and 308 are aligned with

openings

290 and 292 to be inserted therein. Opening 274 in disc 254 enables the hook member 260 to be inserted far enough through the opening 288 in order to enable clearance of the L-shaped

projections

306 and 308 so that member 260 may be rotated 90 with respect to the disc 256.

It can therefore be seen that the

leg members

30 and 32 rotate with respect to the lower torso portion 42 about the axis through rivet 276. That is, the centers of gravity of each of the

legs

30 and 32 are behind the axes through rivets 276 so that each time that a leg is lifted olf of the 'ryound, it is pivoted forward about the axis through rivet The indexing member 258 enables the

leg members

30 and 32 to be secured to the lower portion of the torso 42 with the legs in a vertical or horizontal position. That is, with the legs in a vertical position, the three projections shown in FIG. 13 on the wall 286 are lodged in the openings 298 in the alignment shown therein. However, to put the doll in a sitting position, it is necessary only t0 rotate the legs forward so that the projections 294 are dislodged from the openings 298 and aligned with the openings 120 spaced from the standing position. The upper torso and lower torso of the doll are in a slightly forward leaning position when the legs are in a sitting position to enable the doll to be balanced in the sitting position.

In order to operate the doll, the on-off switch 78 is placed in the on position thereby making a closed circuit between the battery 184 and the electric motor 56. As the electric motor begins to operate, the motor shaft causes gear 114 to rotate which drives the gear 92 which in turn drives gear 100. Gear 100 in turn drives gear 94 which in turn drives gear 102. When gear 102 is rotated, it drives gear 96 which is keyed to shaft 90. As shaft 90 is rotated with gear 96, the shaft begins to rotate through the axis of the lower portion 86 of the shaft 60. Because most of the Weight in the doll is in the upper portion of the doll in the upper torso portion 44 and in the neck portion 128, as shaft 86 rotates, the upper torso follows the axis of shaft 90 thereby causing the weight to shift from one leg to the other.

It should also be understood that the axis of the doll 34 coincides with the axis of the shaft 60. It can therefore be seen that the axis 34 of the doll as shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, follows the axis of the shaft `60. Thus, portion 36 of axis 34 corresponds to the portion S6 of the shaft 60. Similarly, central portion 40 of the axis corresponds to the axis of the central portion 90 of shaft 60 and the upper portion 38 of the axis corresponds to the axis of the upper portion 88 of shaft 60.

Therefore, when the doll is in the position shown in FIG. 1, the center of gravity of the doll is drawn to a position over the left leg 32 of the doll thereby causing the entire weight of the doll to be supported by the left leg.

Consequently, the leg 30 which has no weight thereon is moved forward because the center of gravity is behind the axis of rotation between the leg member and the torso through rivet 276. The rotation of the leg with respect to the torso is limited by pin 278 which is stopped by the periphery of opening 282 in the pivotable disc 256.

It should also be noted that in the position shown in FIG. 1, the arm member 28 is in its upper position because of the fact that the distance between the axis through lever member 132 and the plate 204 and wall 202 of the lower torso 42 has been shortened. Consequently, the lever member is moved in a counterclockwise position as shown in FIG. 7 thereby causing the arm member 28 to be raised. At the same time, the distance between the center of lever member 130 of the arm member 26 is more distantly spaced from the plate 204 and wall 202 thereby causing the lever member 130 to be rotated in a position to cause the arm 26 to be in the lower position.

Similarly, when doll 20 is in the position shown in FIG. 2, the center of gravity of the doll is located above leg 30 thereby causing leg 3.2 to be freed and thereby move forward as the leg pivots around the axis through rivet 276. Also, since the lever member 130 is more closely spaced in this position to the upper wall of the lower torso, the rod 166 causes the lever member to be rotated with the right arm member 26 moving upwardly. The lever member 132 is caused to rotate in a clockwise direction as shown in FIG. 7 thereby enabling the left arm member to be lowered.

As the upper torso portion 44 and the head 24 are gyrated to the intermediate positions shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the

arm members

26 and 28 are at approximately the same height, as the distance between the

lever members

130 and 132 and the upper wall of the lower torso 42 are approximately equal.

It should also be noted that the walking operation of the doll 20 depends on the frictional engagement between the bottom surface of the shoes on the

legs

30 and 32 and the surface on which the doll is walking. That is, when the weight is shifted over the forwardmost leg of 10 the doll, if there is not sufficient frictional engagement between the leg and the walking surface, the forwardmost leg will be drawn towards the rear leg thereby inhibiting forward movement of the doll. Accordingly, in the preferred embodiment, the shoes provided for the doll have a good gripping surface on the heels and soles thereof.

The doll is therefore also capable of dancing movements since it is necessary only to change the heels and soles of the shoes of the doll to provide a dancing operation. Without a good gripping surface on the heels and Soles of the shoes, the doll either remains substantially in place or moves forward in relatively tiny steps even though the legs continue to pivot fore and aft as they are alternately lifted and the gyrating torso action continues. Accordingly, where the shoes have a smooth surface on the heels and soles thereof, a dancing motion is generated rather than a walking motion. That is, during gyration of the upper torso, the upper torso moves fore and aft with respect to the lower torso as well as side to side. Since the legs are moved as the center of gravity of the doll is shifted, it appears that the doll is dancing.

Moreover, by providing a thick heel and sole on one shoe and a narrow heel and sole on the other shoe, it causes the center of gravity of the doll to be biased towards the side of the torso over the effectively shorter leg. Accordingly, in addition to the movement of the torso and the legs, there is a turning action about the shorter leg which enhances the mobility during dancing operation of the doll. That is, since the center of gravity is over the shorter leg for a larger portion of the gyrating cycle, the shorter leg is not lifted for as long a period of time as the other of the legs thereby preventing an unequal distribution of forward movement being imparted to the doll which causes the doll to rotate about the shorter leg.

It can therefore be seen that a new and improved animated doll has been provided. The body or upper torso of the doll utilizes a gyrating movement which somewhat simulates the wobbly fashion in which infants initially walk. The gyrating motion also enables simulation of a dancing movement. Moreover, the arms and head of the doll move with the gyrating motion of the upper torso 44. Also, due to the simplicity of the gyrating motion, the doll is comparatively inexpensive to manufacture yet provides a realistic motion when the doll is walking and/ or dancing.

Without further elaboration, the foregoing will so fully illustrate our invention that others may, by applying current or future knowledge, readily adapt the same for use under various conditions of service.

What is claimed as the invention is:

1. An animated doll, said doll including a torso, a pair of spaced depending leg members for supporting said torso and a head member, said torso comprising a lower portion and an upper portion, a shaft, said shaft being elongated and having a central portion and a pair of end portions which are offset at an angle with respect to the axis of said central portion of said shaft, a first of said end portions being pivotally mounted in said lower portion of said torso, said central portion of said shaft extending longitudinally through said upper portion of said torso and adapted to rotate therein and said head member being supported by the other of said end portions of said shaft, and drive means for rotating said shaft so that said upper torso portion and head member of said doll gyrate with respect to said lower torso portion and said leg members.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein means are provided for limiting the rotation of said upper portion of said torso with respect to said lower portion.

3. The invention of claim 2. wherein said means for limiting the rotation of said upper portion of said torso with respect to the lower portion includes a pin depending from the lower surface of said upper portion of said torso and a member having a horizontally disposed for- 11 Wardly extending slot in the upper portion of said lower torso, said pin being trapped in said slot to limit rotation of said upper portion with respect to the lower portion of said torso.

4. The invention of claim 1 wherein means are provided for limiting the rotation of said head member with respect to said upper portion of said torso.

5. The invention of claim 1 wherein said doll further includes a pair of arm members which are pivotally mounted to said upper portion of said torso, each of said arm members including a lever member for pivoting said arm member, said lever members being connected via a linking member to said lower torso so that said gyrating motion of said upper portion with respect to said lower portion causes pivotal movement of said arm members.

6. The invention of claim 1 wherein said leg members are pivotally secured to said lower portion of said torso, said doll further including means to limit the extent of pivotal movement of said leg members, said leg members having a center of gravity behind the axis of pivot, said gyration of said upper torso causing the center of gravity of the entire doll to be shifted from one leg member to the other so that when the weight is over one leg member of the doll, the other leg member is moved forward to cause said doll to walk.

7. The invention of claim 6 wherein said lower torso includes a pair of openings, with one of said openings on each side thereof, each of said openings including a peripheral channel, said leg members each being pivotally secured by mounting means, each of said mounting means comprising a iirst disc which is mounted in said channel in said opening and including a laterally outwardly projecting pin, and a second disc secured to said leg member, said second disc being pivotally secured to said iirst disc at the forward end and including an enlarged opening which is telescoped over said pin, said means to limit the pivotal movement of said leg members including said enlarged opening and said pin.

8. The invention of claim 7 wherein said leg members are each connected to the second disc by an indexing mechanism, each of said indexing mechanisms enabling said legs members to be secured to said torso in both a vertical and horizontal disposition so that said doll is enabled to stand as well as sit. l

9. A walking doll including a torso and a pair of depending leg members for supporting said torso, said doll further including means for shifting the center of gravity of said doll from one leg member to the other, said torso including a pair of openings with one of said openings provided on each side of said torso, each of said openings having a peripheral channel, said leg members each being pivotally secured by mounting means in said openings, said mounting means each comprising a first disc which is mounted in said channel of said opening and including a laterally outwardly projecting pin and a second disc secured to said leg member, said second disc being pivotally secured to said iirst disc at the forward end and including an enlarged opening which is telescoped over said pin, the opening in the discs acting to limit the pivotal movement of said discs with respect to each other, said leg members each having a center of gravity behind the pivotal securement between said discs so that when the center of gravity of the doll is over one leg member of said doll, the other leg member is moved forward to cause said doll to walk.

10. The invention of claim 9 wherein said doll includes a pair of arm members and said torso comprises a lower portion and an upper portion, said upper portion being movable with respect to said lower portion, said upper portion of said torso including a pair of openings rfor pivotal securement of said arm members, said arm members each including a lever member for pivoting the arm member, said lever members being connected via a linking member to said lower torso portion so that as said upper portion of said torso is moved with respect to said lower portion of said torso, said arms are pivoted.

11. An animated doll comprising a torso having an upper torso portion and a lower torso portion, a pair of legs depending from said lower torso portion and mounted for fore and aft pivotal movement thereof, drive means drivingly connecting said upper and lower torso portions to move said upper portion in a gyrating path with respect to said lower torso portion so that the weight of said doll is shifted from one of the legs to the other, one of said legs being lifted free of a supporting surface for forward movement thereof when the weight is disposed over the other of said legs, the other of said legs being lifted free of said supporting surface when the weight is disposed over said iirst leg.

12. The invention of claim 11 wherein said doll includes means for urging each leg to pivot forwardly relative to the lower torso portion when it is lifted free of said supporting surface.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,425,154 2/ 1969 Lindsay et al. 46-150 3,462,875 8/1969 May 46-15() X 3,465,473 9/1969 Nakamura 46--150 LOUIS G. MANCENE, Primary Examiner D. L. WEINHOLD, JR., Assistant Examiner