ANIMATRONIC TOY
An animatronic doll is disclosed. The doll, includes multiple motors, one or more of which controls conjoined movements of various parts of the doll and one or more of which controls individual parts of the doll. The doll may include a speaker for causing the duck to vibrate and/or it may include various sensors for user and environmental interaction.
1 . A doll that performs automated movements, the doll comprising:
an outer shell that forms a shape of the doll;
the outer shell being separated into a head section and a body section, the head and body sections being connected through at least one internal connection;
wherein at least one of the head and the body is movable relative to the other;
a plurality of movable body parts, at least one body part being located at least partially within the body section and at least one body part being located at least partially within the head section;
wherein the doll is a duck, the at least one body part being located at least partially within the head section includes a beak and the beak opening when the head moves relative to the body;
a plurality of motors disposed within the outer shell, wherein at least one of the plurality of motors is mounted so that is can simultaneous drive a plurality of the automated movements of the doll and wherein at least one of the plurality of motors is mounted to drive a single movement of the doll;
a set of gears associated with each of the motors; the gears configured to step down an output speed of the motor;
a cam mechanism associated with each of the motors and a follower associated with at least one of the cam mechanisms;
at least one of the cam mechanisms including a groove, wherein the groove acts as a guide path for the associated follower; and
at least one controller associated with at least one of the motors, wherein the controller provides the automated movements of the body parts by starting and stopping the motor.
2 . The doll according to claim 1 wherein the head rotates left and right relative to the body.
3 . The doll according to claim 2 further comprising a base section, wherein the doll is supported by the base section.
4 . The doll according to claim 3 wherein the body section tilts relative to the base when the head rotates left and right.
5 . The doll according to claim 1 wherein the head tilts to the left and to the right relative to the body.
6 . The doll according to claim 1 wherein the head tilts to the front and back relative to the body.
7 . The doll according to claim 6 wherein the head tilts to the front relative to the body.
8 . The doll according to claim 6 wherein the beak opening when the head tilts to the front relative to the body.
9 . The doll according to claim 1 wherein the controller includes at least one wiper for generating a code associated with a body part movement.
10 . The doll according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of motors include direct current motors.
11 . The doll according to claim 1 further including a vibrational speaker attached to the head section.
12 . An animatronic duck which includes automated moving parts, the duck comprising:
a base section; the base section including feet and at least one leg;
the base section housing a body support element; the body support element having a top and the top having a shaft support;
an axle supported in the shaft support;
a cam follower supported by the axle, wherein the cam follower rotates about an axis of the axle;
an outer shell that forms a shape of the duck;
the outer shell being separated into a head section and a body section, the head and body sections being connected through at least one internal connection;
a motor connected to the cam follower;
a set of gears meshed to the motor;
a horizontal cam mechanism associated with the set of gears; the cam mechanism including a groove, wherein the groove acts as a guide path for the follower;
a head turning gear horizontally meshed with the set of gears;
a neck assembly coupled to the head turning gear; and the internal connection coupled to the neck assembly; wherein when the motor operates the head section turns relative to the body section and the body section tilts relative to the base.
13 . The duck according to claim 12 further including a neck housing and a neck cover coupled between the head turning gear and the internal connection.
14 . The duck according to claim 13 further comprising another motor secured within the neck assembly and meshed to another set of gears;
another cam mechanism associated with the another set of gears; and another follower associated with the another cam mechanism; wherein the another follower is configured to move in an up and down direction as the another cam rotates;
wherein the internal connection includes a pair of spaced apart linkages, the another follower urging one of the linkages in an upward direction as the another follower moves in the up direction causing the head section to tilt forward relative to the body section.
15 . The duck according to claim 14 further including a lower beak hingedly connected to the head section;
a beak linkage assembly connected between the lower beak and an upper portion of the one of the linkages such that as the one of the linkages moves in an upward direction it applies a downward force on the lower beak causing the lower beak to rotate about the hinged connection to the head section.
16 . The duck according to claim 12 wherein the motor and the another motor include direct current motors.
17 . The duck according to claim 12 further including at least one controller associated with the motor, wherein the controller starts and stops the motor.
18 . The duck according to claim 17 wherein the controller includes at least one wiper for generating a code associated with the head turning.