Figure toy with simulated leg action and pivoted striking element

Claim 1

A toy creature figure having a pivoted striker element, comprising: a toy creature body having front, back, forward end and rearward end portions. an elongated striker element pivotably mounted upon said body adjacent said forward end portion for movement between an armed position, with said element extending endwise along said back portion of said body, and a released position with said element extended forwardly of said body; biasing means urging said striker element toward said released position; latch means for engaging said striker element to maintain it in said armed position; and release means for effecting disengagement of said latch means from said striker element, operation of said release means thereby permitting said biasing means to pivot said element from said armed position to said released position thereof, said latch means comprising an elongated latching member mounted within said body beneath said striker element and having one end portion adapted for engagement therewith, said body and latching member having cooperating means thereon for constraining said one end portion to substantially sliding movement along the axis of said member, said striker element having a recess formed therein disposed to slidably receive said one end portion of said latch means in said armed position, said latching member being sufficiently flexible to permit bowing under manual force so as to effect disengagement of said one end portion from said recess, and said release means being operatively connected to said latch means so that operation of said release means causes such bowing of said latching member and thereby release of said striker element from said armed position thereof.