US3731426A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Shape-changing figure toy
Assignee: Mattel Inc
•
Filing: 1971-10-12
•
Granted: 1973-05-08
•
Expires: 1991-10-12
Abstract
Abstract A figure toy has a skeleton-like body member, such as an armature, covered with a flexible covering material beneath which a mechanical shape-changing mechanism is movably mounted for movement from a normal position to a material-bulging position where the shape of a selected area, such as a simulated bicep, is changed from a first condition to a second, bulged condition.
Inventors
- 👤 J Lewis
- 👤 J Benson
- 👤 D Bosley
- 👤 P Penninsula
- 👤 J Sapkus
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 20:29
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63H; A63H3/00; A63H3/001; A63H3/36; A63H3/48
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
In a figure toy having relatively pivotable body portions, a skeleton-like body member in said body portions and covered with a flexible covering material, mechanical means for changing the shape of the figure toy in at least one selected area by causing said flexible covering material to bulge, comprising: a non-inflatable, shape-changing member pivotally mounted on said body member and covered by said flexible covering material said member having an end swingable generally normal to said covering material on one of said body portions at said selected area, said end having substantially the shape said selected area will assume after said flexible member is bulged, said shape-changing member being normally disposed beneath said flexible material in a non-material bulging position; and means connected to the other of said body portions and to said shape-changing member for swinging it outwardly into a material-bulging position in response to relative pivoting of said body portions, whereby the shape of said figure toy is changed in said selected area.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
165 words
In a figure toy having relatively pivotable body portions, a skeleton-like body member in said body portions and covered with a flexible covering material, mechanical means for changing the shape of the figure toy in at least one selected area by causing said flexible covering material to bulge, comprising: a non-inflatable, shape-changing member pivotally mounted on said body member and covered by said flexible covering material said member having an end swingable generally normal to said covering material on one of said body portions at said selected area, said end having substantially the shape said selected area will assume after said flexible member is bulged, said shape-changing member being normally disposed beneath said flexible material in a non-material bulging position; and means connected to the other of said body portions and to said shape-changing member for swinging it outwardly into a material-bulging position in response to relative pivoting of said body portions, whereby the shape of said figure toy is changed in said selected area.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A figure toy as stated in claim 1 wherein said selected area is a simulated bicep.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A figure toy as stated in claim 1 wherein said selected area comprises a simulated bust line in a doll.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
93 words
A combination as stated in claim 1 wherein: said body member comprises an arm armature; said selected area comprises a simulated bicep; said shape-cHanging end having substantially the shape of a flexed bicep; and said body member includes an upper arm portion having a shelf and a pivoted forearm portion having means rotatably receiving said shape-changing member, said shape-changing member normally resting upon said shelf when said forearm is extended and rocking about said shelf to an elevated position which when said forearm is swung to a position normal to said upper arm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
82 words
A combination as stated in claim 1 wherein said body member is a limb armature having an upper arm portion rotatably connected to a forearm portion, each of said portions including a circular rack and spring means for maintaining each portion in angularly adjusted positions and wherein said shape-changing member is swingably connected to one of said portions and is rocked about the other of said portions when said portions are moved to a predetermined angular position with respect to each other.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
80 words
A shape-changing figure toy, comprising: a torso including an upper torso portion and a lower torso portion, said lower torso portion being telescopically received in said upper torso portion one of said torso portions including a shape-changing member hingedly mounted on said one torso portion; and linkage means inside said torso pivotally engaging said shape-changing member and the other torso portion to swing said shape-changing member about said hinge when said torso portions are telescopically moved relative to each other.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
80 words
A shape-changing figure toy, comprising: a torso including an upper torso portion and a lower torso portion, said lower torso portion being telescopically received in said upper torso portion one of said torso portions including a shape-changing member hingedly mounted on said one torso portion; and linkage means inside said torso pivotally engaging said shape-changing member and the other torso portion to swing said shape-changing member about said hinge when said torso portions are telescopically moved relative to each other.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A figure toy as stated in claim 6 wherein said shape-changing member is configured to simulate a bustline.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A figure toy as stated in claim 6 wherein said shape-changing member is configured to simulate a waist portion on said one torso portion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
71 words
A figure toy as stated in claim 6 including a neck portion on said upper torso portion and a head on said neck portion, said figure toy also including a pushrod means connected to said linkage means and extending through said neck means into said head and cheek-engaging means mounted in said head in engagement with said pushrod means for expanding said cheeks laterally in one position of said pushrod means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
145 words
A shape-changing figure toy, comprising: a torso including an upper torso portion having a neck post formed integrally therewith on the upper end thereof, a simulated bustline hingedly connected thereto and a waist section hingedly connected thereto, a lower torso portion telescopically received in said upper torso portion; a fixed post seated in said lower torso portion and extending up through said upper torso portion; a block slideably mounted on said post and affixed to said upper torso portion; link means pivotally connected to said post and to said hinged waist section for contracting said waist section and sliding said upper torso portion upwardly with respect to said lower torso portion; shape-changing linkage means swingably connected to said block and including a portion engageable with said simulated bustline for swinging said simulated bustline to an outwardly-extended position when said upper torso portion is moved upwardly.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
145 words
A shape-changing figure toy, comprising: a torso including an upper torso portion having a neck post formed integrally therewith on the upper end thereof, a simulated bustline hingedly connected thereto and a waist section hingedly connected thereto, a lower torso portion telescopically received in said upper torso portion; a fixed post seated in said lower torso portion and extending up through said upper torso portion; a block slideably mounted on said post and affixed to said upper torso portion; link means pivotally connected to said post and to said hinged waist section for contracting said waist section and sliding said upper torso portion upwardly with respect to said lower torso portion; shape-changing linkage means swingably connected to said block and including a portion engageable with said simulated bustline for swinging said simulated bustline to an outwardly-extended position when said upper torso portion is moved upwardly.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
78 words
A figure toy as stated in claim 10 including a pushrod extending upwardly through said neck post into said head, said pushrod having one end connected to said linkage means for actuation thereby and a second end extending into said head and including a cheek-engaging means for expanding the cheek area of said head in one position of said pushrod, said push-rod being reciprocated by movement of said upper torso portion with respect to said lower torso portion.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-05-07 | 1976-11-06 | 1977-05-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-07 | 1980-11-06 | 1981-05-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-07 | 1984-11-06 | 1985-05-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |