Toy figure having reconfigurable portions and methods of using the same

Abstract

A toy figure and associated method of use is disclosed, and comprises a body portion and at least one appendage extending from the body portion. The body portion comprises a resilient portion so that a user can apply a force to cause the toy figure to transition from an unstressed condition to an actuated condition. The resilient portion is configured to return the toy figure to the unstressed condition under an inherent restorative force. The at least one appendage comprises a reconfigurable portion that includes at least two movable segments so that at least a portion of the at least one appendage can transition between a collapsed and an expanded condition. The at least a portion of the at least one appendage configured to maintain one of the first condition and the second condition until deliberately reconfigured by a user.

1 . A toy figure, comprising:
 a body portion comprising a resilient portion so that a user can apply a force to cause the toy figure to transition from an unstressed condition to an actuated condition, the resilient portion configured to return the toy figure to the unstressed condition under an inherent restorative force; and   at least one appendage extending from the body portion, the at least one appendage comprising a reconfigurable portion that includes at least two movable segments so that at least a portion of the at least one appendage can transition between a collapsed and an expanded condition, the at least a portion of the at least one appendage configured to maintain one of the first condition and the second condition until deliberately reconfigured by a user.   
     
     
         2 . The toy figure of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one appendage comprises a pair of arms and a pair of legs. 
     
     
         3 . The toy figure of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one appendage includes a coupling portion disposed on an end of the reconfigurable portion. 
     
     
         4 . The toy figure of  claim 3 , wherein the coupling portion includes a recess formed therein. 
     
     
         5 . The toy figure of  claim 4 , wherein the recess is configured to receive a protrusion extending from a surface of a game platform. 
     
     
         6 . The toy figure of  claim 4 , wherein the recess is configured to receive a protrusion extending from an accessory. 
     
     
         7 . The toy figure of  claim 1 , wherein the coupling portion includes an engagement feature disposed along an exterior portion thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The toy figure of  claim 7 , wherein the engagement feature has one of a hooked or looped surface configuration. 
     
     
         9 . The toy figure of  claim 8 , wherein the engagement feature is configured to interengage another surface having the other of the hooked and looped configuration. 
     
     
         10 . The toy figure of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two movable segments each include a base and a connective portion, the connective portion configured to move into an at least partial overlap with the base. 
     
     
         11 . The toy figure of  claim 1 , wherein the resilient portion comprises a body stem interconnecting an upper body and a lower body of the body portion. 
     
     
         12 . The toy figure of  claim 11 , wherein the body stem defines a spring constant. 
     
     
         13 . The toy figure of  claim 12 , wherein the body stem has an axially resilient configuration. 
     
     
         14 . The toy figure of  claim 12 , wherein the body stem has a torsionally resilient configuration. 
     
     
         15 . The toy figure of  claim 12 , wherein the body stem is configured such that, upon transitioning from the unstressed condition to the actuated condition, the body stem stores potential energy. 
     
     
         16 . A toy figure, comprising:
 at least one reconfigurable member having a reconfigurable portion disposed between a pair of coupling portions configured to interengage a game platform, the reconfigurable portion including at least two movable segments so that the reconfigurable member can transition from a first, collapsed condition to a second, expanded condition; and   a building accessory configured to be releasably coupled with at least one coupling portion of the pair of coupling portions of the at least one reconfigurable member so that the building accessory can be moved to a variable height with respect to the game platform as the at least one reconfigurable member transitions from the first configuration to the second configuration.   
     
     
         17 . The toy figure of  claim 16 , wherein at least one of the coupling members of the at least one reconfigurable member includes a recess configured to receive a protrusion extending from the building accessory. 
     
     
         18 . The toy figure of  claim 16 , wherein at least one of the coupling members of the at least one reconfigurable member includes a recess configured to receive a protrusion on a surface of the game platform. 
     
     
         19 . The toy figure of  claim 16 , wherein the building accessory is one of a group comprising: a bench, a patio, a room, and a platform. 
     
     
         20 . A method of play with a toy figure, comprising:
 (a) providing a toy figure comprising: a body portion with an upper body and a lower body connected by a resilient stem; and at least one appendage extending from the body portion, the at least one appendage comprising a reconfigurable portion with at least a pair of movable segments;   (b) expanding or contracting the reconfigurable portion of the at least one appendage by applying a force to the at least a pair of segments of the at least one appendage; and   (c) releasing the at least one appendage so that the reconfigurable portion remains in an expanded or contracted condition.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising the step of coupling an accessory with the at least one appendage. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising the step of coupling the at least one appendage with a platform so that the toy figure is supported in a substantially upright condition. 
     
     
         23 . A method of play with a toy figure, comprising:
 (a) providing a toy figure comprising: a body portion with an upper body and a lower body connected by a resilient stem; and at least a pair of appendages extending from the body portion, each appendage comprising a reconfigurable portion with at least a pair of movable segments;   (b) coupling a first accessory with one appendage of the at least a pair of appendages;   (c) coupling a second accessory with another one appendage of the at least a pair of appendages;   (d) exerting a bending or twisting force on the toy figure so that the resilient stem is deformed to store potential energy; and   (e) releasing the toy figure so that the resilient stem converts potential energy into kinetic energy to cause movement of the toy figure.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising the step of expanding or contracting the reconfigurable portion of at least one appendage by applying a force to the at least a pair of segments of the at least one appendage. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising the step of releasing the at least one appendage so that the reconfigurable portion remains in an expanded or contracted condition. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the step of coupling the first accessory includes releasably coupling the first accessory with the one appendage so that movement of the toy figure can cause the first accessory to disengage from the one appendage. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the step of coupling the first accessory includes providing the first accessory being a ball. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the step of coupling the second accessory includes providing the first accessory being a bat. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising the step of coupling at least one appendage of the at least a pair of appendages with a platform so that the toy figure is supported in a substantially upright condition.