Customizable action figures

Abstract

Customizable action figures comprising a torso, a transmission mechanism supported in the torso, and an appendage operatively connected to the transmission mechanism. In some examples, the customizable action figures may include an upper torso rotatably connected to a lower torso. In some examples, the customizable action figures may include an appendage having a plurality of segments, with each segment configured to move relative to one or more neighboring segments. In some examples, the customizable action figures may include a set of arms, with each arm being configured to be selectively coupled to the transmission mechanism, or each arm may be configured to move differently than an other arm in the set.

1 . An action figure comprising: 
 a set of interconnected body segments;    a transmission mechanism mounted in a housing and operatively coupled to the set of body segments;    an actuator operatively connected to the transmission mechanism, wherein actuating the actuator drives the transmission mechanism; and    an appendage operatively connected to the transmission mechanism and configured for selective removal from the transmission mechanism, the appendage having a plurality of adjacent segments with each segment configured to move relative to an adjacent segment when the appendage is driven by the transmission mechanism.    
   
   
       2 . The action figure of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is a torso segment and the actuator comprises a hip segment rotatably connected to the torso segment, the hip section being configured to actuate the transmission mechanism when rotated relative to the torso.  
   
   
       3 . The action figure of  claim 1 , wherein the appendage includes: 
 a first segment proximate to the torso;    an second segment adjacent to the first segment; and    a third segment adjacent to the second segment and distal from the first segment.    
   
   
       4 . The action figure of  claim 3 , wherein the appendage includes a first movement mechanism drivingly connected to the first segment and to the second segment, the first movement mechanism being configured to rotate the second segment relative to the first segment and including: 
 a first segment gear train drivingly connected to the transmission mechanism; and    a second segment gear drivingly connected to the first segment gear train.    
   
   
       5 . The action figure of  claim 4 , wherein the first movement mechanism is configured to rotate the first segment in a first direction and is configured to rotate the second segment in a second direction opposite the first direction.  
   
   
       6 . The action figure of  claim 4 , wherein the appendage includes a second movement mechanism drivingly connected to the third segment, the second movement mechanism being configured to rotate the third segment relative to the second segment and including a third segment gear drivingly connected to the first segment gear train.  
   
   
       7 . The action figure of  claim 5 , wherein the appendage includes a second movement mechanism drivingly connected to the third segment, the second movement mechanism being configured to rotate the third segment relative to the second segment in the first direction and including a third segment gear drivingly connected to the first segment gear train.  
   
   
       8 . The action figure of  claim 3 , wherein the appendage includes a third movement mechanism connected to the first segment, the third movement mechanism being configured to rotate the first segment relative to the housing and including a drive rod drivingly connected to the transmission mechanism.  
   
   
       9 . The action figure of  claim 8 , wherein the second segment includes: 
 a fourth segment adjacent to the first segment,    a fifth segment pivotally connected to the fourth segment at an end distal from the first segment.    
   
   
       10 . The action figure of  claim 9 , wherein the fourth segment includes a slot at an end distal from the first segment and the fifth segment includes a pin extending through the slot in the fourth segment.  
   
   
       11 . The action figure of  claim 4 , wherein the third segment includes a socket for receiving an object inserted therein.  
   
   
       12 . The action figure of  claim 11 , wherein the socket defines: 
 a first cavity having an opening with a first area; and    a second cavity adjacent to the first cavity, the second cavity having a second area which is smaller than the first area.    
   
   
       13 . The action figure of  claim 12 , wherein the object includes: 
 a body; and    a projection having: 
 a first portion which is proximate to the body and which has a first cross sectional area; and  
 a second portion which is distal from the body and which has a second cross sectional area which is smaller than the first cross sectional area.  
   
   
   
       14 . The action figure of  claim 1 , further comprising a sound mechanism configured to produce sound when the actuator is actuated.  
   
   
       15 . An action figure comprising: 
 a torso;    a transmission mechanism supported in the torso;    a hip section connected to the torso, rotation of the hip section relative to the torso driving the transmission mechanism;    a first appendage drivingly connected to the transmission mechanism, the first appendage being configured to move in a first manner when the first appendage is driven by the transmission mechanism; and    a second appendage drivingly connected to the transmission mechanism, the second appendage being configured to move in a second manner when the first appendage is driven by the transmission mechanism;    wherein the first manner of motion and the second manner of motion are different.    
   
   
       16 . The action figure of  claim 15 , wherein: 
 the first appendage includes: 
 a first segment proximate to the torso;  
 a second segment adjacent to the first segment; and  
 a third segment adjacent to the second segment and distal from the first segment; and  
   the second appendage includes: 
 a fourth segment proximate to the torso;  
 a fifth segment adjacent the fourth segment; and  
 a sixth segment adjacent to the fifth segment and distal from the fourth segment.  
   
   
   
       17 . The action figure of  claim 16 , wherein: 
 a) the first appendage includes: 
 i) a first segment gear train drivingly connected to the first segment and to the transmission mechanism, the first segment gear train being configured to rotate the first segment relative to the torso; and  
 ii) a second segment gear drivingly connected to the second segment and to the first segment gear train, the second segment gear being configured to rotate the second segment relative to the first segment; and  
   b) the second appendage includes a drive rod drivingly connected to the fourth segment and to the transmission mechanism, the drive rod configured to rotate the fourth segment relative to the torso;    c) wherein the fifth segment is pivotally connected to the fourth segment, the fifth segment being configured to freely pivot relative to the fourth segment as the fourth segment rotates.    
   
   
       18 . The action figure of  claim 17 , wherein the first appendage further comprises a third segment gear train drivingly connected the third segment and the first segment gear train, the third segment gear train being configured to rotate the third segment relative to the second segment.  
   
   
       19 . An action figure comprising: 
 a housing;    a transmission mechanism supported in the housing;    an actuator operatively connected to the transmission mechanism, actuation of the actuator driving the transmission mechanism; and    a set of two or more arms, each arm in the set being configured to selectively couple with the transmission mechanism and including:    a plurality of adjacent segments, each segment configured to move relative one or more to adjacent segments, and    at least one movement mechanism mounted between adjacent segments, each movement mechanism being configured move one segment relative to an adjacent segment;    wherein the movement mechanisms are configured to move the segments differently in at least two arms in the set.    
   
   
       20 . The action figure of  claim 19 , wherein a first arm in the set includes: 
 a first segment proximate to the housing;    a second segment adjacent to the first segment;    a third segment adjacent to the second segment and distal from the first segment;    a first movement mechanism comprising a first segment gear train drivingly connected to the first segment and to the transmission mechanism, the first segment gear train being configured to rotate the first segment relative to the housing; and    a second movement mechanism comprising a second segment gear drivingly connected to the second segment and to the first segment gear train, the second segment gear being configured to rotate the second segment relative to the first segment.    
   
   
       21 . The action figure of  claim 20 , wherein a second arm in the set includes: 
 a fourth segment proximate to the housing;    a fifth segment pivotally connected to the fourth segment; and    a sixth segment adjacent to the fifth segment and distal from the fourth segment; and    a third movement mechanism comprising a drive rod drivingly connected to the fourth segment and to the transmission mechanism, the drive rod configured to rotate the fourth segment relative to the housing;    wherein the fifth segment is configured to freely pivot relative to the fourth segment as the fourth segment rotates.