GB2190851A - Doll - Google Patents

Abstract

An animated doll comprising means (2) for generating audio frequency signals, means (3) for converting the audio frequency signals into audible sound, at least one jaw movable between open and closed positions and means (10) arranged to move the or each jaw reciprocably between the open and closed positions in dependence upon the audio frequency signals. An electric motor moves the jaw(s). A switch (Figure 10- not shown) causes reversals of motor direction. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Animated doll This invention relates to an animated doll.

Currently, known types of doll have only different designs and configurations and no proper consideration is given to the more lifelike expressions ofthe voices and any actions by which the dolls can express themselves effectively. Indeed, theseknowntypesofdoll generate only monotonous voices or musical tones which can neverfully exploit the above-mentioned requirement for stimulation and recognition by which the dolls should be able to be fully appreciated by children playing with them. Also, nowadays radio broadcasts for children often include pre-scheduled programmes which, besides providing for the general education ofthe children listening to them, are generally of a story-telling nature.It has been found that children hold a radio and a doll atthe sametime, whilst sitting or lying during listeningto such broadcasts. This is not particularly relaxing or interesting, since the broadcasts include dull and monotonous voices and/or music.

Since electronic toys are much more interesting to children who play with them, children in general often grow very fond of such toys. However, the voices orother sounds generated by electronic toys are not generally very lifelike and, indeed, neither are their actions. As a consequence, this does not stimulate children's interestin them forvery long and does not enhance children's recognition as to daily matters from playing with such dolls or toys.

Thus, the children's physical and mental development is not assisted.

An important object of the present invention is to provide an animated doll which not only overcomes, or at least substantially reduces, the disadvantages discussed above in relation to known types of doll, whether electronic or not, but also contributes substantially to a child's general education, awareness of life and enjoyment.

Accordingly, the invention provides an animated doll comprising: (a) meansforgenerating audio frequency signals; (b) means for convertng the audio frequency into audible sound; (c) at least one jaw movable reciprocably between open and closed positions; and (d) means arranged to move said at least one jaw reciprocably between the open and closed positions in dependence upon said audio frequency signals.

Preferably, said audio frequency signal generating means comprises a radio receiver, and associated aerial, or a voice synthesising circuit. Alternatively, any other suitable form of audio frequency signal generator, such as, a cassette player or tape deck, may be used as such means.

In a preferred embodiment, both jaws ofthe mouth ofthe doll are movable between respective open and closed positions.

The means for moving the or each jaw reciprocably between respective open and closed positions can comprise a reversible DC motorwhose operation is controllable by a bridge-type switching (reverter) circuit switched in dependence upon the ON/OFF condition of a transistor controlled by the amplitude of the audio frequency signals. A puise shaping and DC voltage level adjustment circuit may be used to provide a suitable inputforthe ON/OFF transistor, whilstan amplifier may be used to amplify the audio frequency signals from such generating means.

The means for moving the or each jaw reciprocably between open and closed positions may also comprise a transmission mechanism consisting of a pairof rods which are movable between respectve positions for opening and closing the or each jaw and which are so movable by the reciprocable rotation of a gear driven, preferably via a reducing gear train, by the motor. Each rod is associated with a plate which is pivotable about an axis mounted upon a body shell ofthe doll and which is connected to the respective upper or lowerjaw thereof.

Embodiments ofthe inventive doll will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure lisa perspectve view of an animated doll in theshapeofadog; Figure 2 is a partial cut-away view of the doll shown in Figure 1, illustrating some components thereof; Figure 3 is an enlarged cut-away view, in perspective, of a transmission mechanism for opening and closing the jaws ofthe doll shown in Figures 1 and 2; Figures 4and 5 are respective side views of the closed and open positions ofthetransmission mechanism shown in Figure3; Figure 6is a block diagram of the operating circuit of the doll ;; Figure 7 is a circuit diagram of a radio receiver used in the operating circuitshown inFigure6; Figure 8 is a diagram of a voice synthesising integrated circuit which can also be used in the operating circuit shown in FigureS; Figure 9 is a diagram of a bridge-type switching (reverter) circuit used in the operating circuit; and Figure 10 is a view of a leaf spring switch arrangement used in the doll, in conjunction with the transmission mechanism shown in Figures 3 to 5, for reversing the polarity of an associated motor.

Referring firstly to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, a radio receiver 2, or a voice synthesising integrated circuit 2A(Figure 8), is located in a hollow space defined by the interior of the bottom seat 4 and bottom cover 5 of a body shell 1 of an animated doll in the shape of a dog. A power supply, constituted by a pair of batteries 6, is fixed in a suitable position in the bottom seat of the body shell 1. On the abdomen portion ofthe body shell 1, a selective frequency tuning knob 7 and a volume control knob 8 are provided and, in the chest portion ofthe body shell, a loudspeaker 3 is positioned.

In the head portion of the shell 1, a transmission mechanism 10 (Figures 3 to 5) and a reversible DC motor9 are provided in combination with a bridge-type switching (reverter) circuit 11.

The transmission mechanism 10, as shown in more detail in Figures3to5,comprisesa housing 12, a gear 13 drivable bytheoutputshaft (not shown) of the motor 9, a gear 15 drivable by the gear 13 via a reduction gear train 14, and an operating rod set indicated generally at 16. One side of the drivable gear 15 has two pins, of circular cross-section, which engage in respective slots 19 in operating rods 18. A stop 20, again of circular cross-section, on the other side ofthe gear 15, is arranged to control a leaf spring switch arrangement28, as will be described hereinbelowwith reference to Figure 10, which, in turn, controls the polarity ofthe DC power supplyto the motor 9.At the end of each rod 18 remote from the slot 19, is a plate 21 which is attached integ rally to the rod and which is pivotable about an axis 22 mounted in a suitable mannerto an associated portion of the body shell 1. Each plate 21 has a pair of through holes by which the plate can be secured to a respective upper or lower jaw ofthe mouth ofthe doll, atthe inner peripherythereof. The motor 9 is arranged to open (Figure 5) and close (Figure 4)the jaws ofthe doll, when operated in respective forward and reverse directions, as will be described hereinbelow.

Referring now to Figure 6, the radio receiver 2, or the voice synthesising integrated circuit 2A, which can be of nay type knowperse, has its output connected to an audiofrequencysignal amplifier24 which, in turn, is connected to the loudspeaker 3 in the chest portion ofthe body shell 1 ofthe doll. The amplifier 24 is also connected to a pulse shaping and a DCvoltagelevel adjustmentcircuit, represented by the components 25 and 26, used to control the operaton of an ON/OFF outputtransistor 27 (Figures 7 and 8) between the ON and OFF conditions thereof.

This switching of the transistor 27 controls the operation ofthe bridge-type switching (reverter) circuit 11 ,to effect forward and reverse rotation of the motor 9 in combination with the leaf spring switching arrangement 28.

Figure 10 shows the leaf spring switch arrangement 28, with the stop 20 on the drivable gear being used to control the polarity ofthe power supply to the motor 9. This switch arrangement also includes a termnal block 281 with three terminals P,M and 0 and a metal conductor block 282. Two of these terminals, namely P and 0, are electrically connected to the ends of respective leaf springs 283 and 284 and the other ends ofthe leaf springs are located on opposed sides of the stop 20 on the gear 15,whilsttheterminal M is connected electrically tothe metal conductor block 282 via a conductive wire. Respective pairs PM and MQ of terminals are connectable across the motor 9, as can be seen also in Figure 9, depending upon the rotational position ofthe gear 15 and associated stop 20.

An audio signal generated by the radio receiver 2, orthe synthesiser circuit 2A, is amplified bythe amplifier 24 and a corresponding sound is generated bythe loudspeaker 3. Simultaneously, this signal is fed through the components 25,26 and 27 ofthe circuit shown in Figure 6, to provide a negative pulse signal at the output of switching (reverter) circuit 11, which causes the motor 9 to be rotated in itsfoward direction to drive the gear 13. Such rotaton causes the gear 15to be rotated, via the reduction geartrain 14, in an anti-clockwise direction, as viewed in Figures 4 and 5, and, as a consequence, the rods 18 are moved to open the plates 21 and, hence, the jaws of the mouth of the doll.The stop 20 is also rotated in unison with the gear 15 until it engages the leaf spring 283. Further rotation ofthe gear 15 results in the stop 20 disengaging the leaf spring 283 from its contact point X with the metal conductor block 282, as shown in full lines in Figure 10. Such disengagement cuts-off powerto the motor 9 and, hence, stops it from rotating further in the forward direction. In this condition, the plates 21, and hence the jaws of the doll mouth, are maintained inthe open position.

When the audio signal from the radio receiver 2, or the synthesiser circuit 2A, ceases, the loudspeaker3 stops generating sound and the output from the bridge-type switching (reverter) circuit 11 alters its direction in a way which causes a positive phase signal to rotate the motor 9 in its reverse direction.

Thus, the gear 13 is also rotated in its reverse direction to cause the gear 15 to be rotated in a clockwise direction, via the reduction geartrain 14. In this manner, the rods 18 cause the pair of plates 21 to be moved into their closed positions, thereby closing the jaws ofthe mouth ofthe doll. At the same time, the stop 20 is rotated in the other direction to permit the leaf spring 283 to return and come into contact again with the conductor block 282 at the point X.

Further reverse rotation of the stop 20 causes itto engage the other leaf spring 284 and disengage it from its contact point Y with the block 282. Such disengagement cuts off powerto the motor 9 and again stops it but with the plates closed, as shown in dashed lines in Figure 10. In thiscondition,the motor 9 consumes no more electricity.

This reciprocable opening and closing ofthejaws ofthe doll, in dependence upon the audio signals from the radio receiver 2 or voice synthesising circuit 2A, provides the doll with further lifelike characteristics, in so far as sound (voice) and corresponding movements ofthe mouth are concerned.

Claims (13)

1. An animated doll comprising: (a) means for generating audio frequency signals; (b) means for converting the audio frequency signals into audible sound; (c) at least one jaw movable reciprocably between open and closed positions; and (d) means arranged to move said at least one jaw reciprocably between the open and closed positions in dependence upon said audio frequency signals.

2. Adoll accordingtoclaim 1,whereinsaid means for moving the or each jaw reciprocably between the open and closed positions comprises a reversible DC motor controllable by a bridge-type switching (reverter) circuit switched in dependence upon the ON/OFF condition of a transistor controlled by the amplitude of the audio frequency signals.

3. A doll according to claim 2, wherein a signal shaping and DC voltage level adjustment circuit provides the input to the ON/OFF transistor.

4. Adoll according to claim 1,2 or 3, wherein said audio frequency signal generating means comprises a radio receiver.

5. Adoll according to claim 1,2 or3,wherein said audio frequency signal generating means comprises a voice synthesising circuit.

6. Adoll according to any preceding claim, wherein both jaws ofthe doll are movable between respective open and closed positions.

7. Adoll according to any preceding claim, wherein said means for moving the or each jaw between open and closed positions comprises a transmission mechanism consisting of at least one rod which is movable between respective positions for opening and closing the or each jaw and which is so movable bythe reciprocable rotation of a gear driven by a orthe motor, as the case may be.

8. A doll according to claim 7, wherein the transmission mechanism also comprises a plate associated with the or each rod and pivotable about an axis mounted upon a part ofa body shell ofthe doll, with the or each plate being connected to the respective upper or lowerjaw of the doll.

9. A doll according to any preceding claim, wherein said audio frequency signal generating means is located in a bottom portion of a body shell ofthe doll.

10. Adoll according to any preceding claim, wherein said audio frequency signal converting means comprises a loudspeaker located in a chest portion of a body shell of the doll.

11. A doll according to any preceding claim, wherein said meansformovingtheoreachjaw between the open and closed positions is located in a head portion of a body shell of the doll.

12. Adoll according to any preceding claim in the shape of a dog.

13. An animated doll substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.