Method and apparatus for stabilizing and powering walking animated figures

Claim 1

In an animated figure which simulates walking of the type wherein jointed appendages are rotatably mounted to a frame and selectively lifted off a platform surface by the interaction of a plurality of electronically controlled drive motors and gears, an improvement which comprises: first electromagnetic means secured to a jointed appendage for (1) generating a stabilizing holding force, and (2) inductively receiving an energization signal and command signals; and second electromagnetic means secured to a platform beneath said platform surface and adapted to be energized by a direct current for selectively interacting with said first electromagnetic means for stabilizing said figure by selective magnetic attraction therebetween, said second electromagnetic means being further adapted to be energized by (1) an alternating current, and (2) a modulated current for transmission of said energization and command signals to said first electromagnetic means, said electromagnetic means includes a plurality of electromagnet elements arranged in a matrix, each of said plurality of elements being selectively energized and deenergized for providing said stabilization of said figure and said signals.