US20070149089A1 - Customizable action figures - Google Patents

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.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/734,710 filed on Nov. 7, 2005, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
BACKGROUND
• Action figures provide entertainment to persons using them. Customizable action figures may include a torso, a transmission mechanism supported in the torso, and an appendage operatively connected to the transmission mechanism. A torso may house the transmission mechanism. Action figures may have various shapes, such as the shape of a human, an animal, a robot, or a fanciful creature. A transmission mechanism may drive an appendage to move and may comprise interconnected gears and levers. The appendage may resemble an arm, leg, or other extremity, and it may have segments that move with one or more degrees of freedom.
• Examples of customizable action figures are found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,270,781; 1,359,030; 1,456,422; 3,010,253; 3,425,155; 3,611,625; 3,648,405; 3,775,900; 3,858,353; 3,947,994; 3,955,311; 3,988,855; 4,003,158; 4,125,961; 4,135,327; 4,274,224; 4,571,209; 4,597,574; 4,601,672; 4,623,318; 4,655,725; 4,657,518; 4,669,998; 4,680,019; 4,723,932; 4,738,649; 4,790,789; 4,968,280; 4,988,324; 4,995,846; 5,044,960; 5,257,873; 5,394,766; 5,620,352; 5,727,982; 6,022,263; 6,106,359; 6,224,456; 6,296,543; 6,422,871; 6,422,916; 6,482,068; 6,494,763; 6,524,158; 6,579,143; 6,585,556; 6,601,326; 6,682,392; 6,685,530; 6,692,332; 6,817,921; 6,830,497; 6,869,331; and U.S. Published Applications 2002/0155; 2004/0198; and 2005/0020; and Foreign Patents CH 646612, CH 675081; FR 2666514; GB 2201899; JP 4288187; and JP 6023154. All of these references are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
SUMMARY
• The present disclosure is directed to 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.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a customizable action figure.
• FIG. 2 is a front view of the customizable action figure ofFIG. 1 with a front portion of the torso removed.
• FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the customizable action figure ofFIG. 1 with an appendage removed.
• FIG. 4A is a front view of an appendage of the customizable action figure ofFIG. 1.
• FIG. 4B is a front view of a second appendage of the customizable action figure ofFIG. 1.
• FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a hand of the customizable action figure ofFIG. 1 and an object.
• FIG. 5A is a cross sectional view of a coupling member partially inserted into a socket of an object in a rotation position.
• FIG. 5B is a cross sectional view of a coupling member fully inserted into a socket of an object in a stationary position.
• FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a sound mechanism of the customizable action figure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• A first customizable actionFIG. 10 and components thereof is shown inFIG. 1. A second customizable actionFIG. 10 is shown inFIG. 2. Similar components are given the same reference number. Customizable actionFIG. 10 may include a housing ortorso12, a transmission mechanism14 (shown inFIG. 2) supported intorso12, anactuator16 operatively connected totransmission mechanism14, and one ormore appendages18 operatively connected totransmission mechanism14.Transmission mechanism14 may also be drivingly connected to other appendages, such as legs, a head, wings, or other structures. In some examples, customizable actionFIG. 10 includes a sound mechanism19 (shown inFIGS. 2 and 6) mounted intorso12.Legs20 may supporttorso12 from above aplay surface21.
• Torso12 mayhouse transmission mechanism14 as shown inFIG. 2. As shown inFIG. 2,torso12 may define acavity22 of sufficient size to containtransmission mechanism14. Various projections, apertures, and support members may be provided intorso12 to support the various components oftransmission mechanism14, such asbase plate25 supported onlegs20. Torso12 may includeshoulder apertures24 and25, through whichtransmission mechanism14 may be connected to aright arm26 andleft arm27.
• Transmission mechanism14 may transmit energy applied toactuator16 relative totorso12 to appendages18 through a series of gears. As shown inFIG. 2,transmission mechanism14 may include awaist gear28, atorso gear29, ashoulder gear30, and aneck gear32. Each of the aforementioned gears may be drivingly interconnected such that movement of one gear causes the other gears to move.
• Waist gear28 may be fixedly secured toactuator16 and rotate about a vertical axis V1 asactuator16 is rotated relative totorso12 by a user.Waist gear28 may engagetorso gear29 having a horizontal axis of rotation H1. Rotation ofwaist gear28 rotatestorso gear29 about a horizontal axis H1. Rotation oftorso gear29 causesshoulder gear30 to rotate about a generally horizontal axis H2.Shoulder gear30 may be mounted at eitheraperture24 or25 and, optionally, a different gear may be mounted in the other aperture. In some embodiments, customizable actionFIG. 10 may include two shoulder gears. As shown inFIG. 2,torso gear29 may be a compound gear, including a first gear31 engaged bywaist gear28 and a largerdiameter spur gear34 configured to engageshoulder gear30.
• In this example,shoulder gear30 movesarm27 whengear30 is driven bytorso gear29.Arm26 may couple toshoulder gear30 atshoulder aperture24 or25 by adrive rod37 attached to the proximal end ofarm27 as shown inFIGS. 4A and 4B.Drive rod37 is slidingly received in a channel inshoulder gear30 with a friction fit.Shoulder gear30rotates drive rode37. As explained more fully below,drive rod37 may engagemovement mechanisms38 drivingly connected toappendages18.
• Shoulder gear30 may also mesh withneck gear32 causingneck gear32 to rotate about a vertical axis V2 whenshoulder gear30 rotates.Neck gear32 may be rigidly attached to ahead40. As a result,head40 may rotate asneck gear32 rotates. In some examples (not shown), the neck gear may be a mushroom gear with an articulation point located in the head.
• Transmission mechanism14 may be configured such thatneck gear32 andwaist gear28 rotate in the same direction. It is within the scope of this disclosure, however, thattransmission mechanism14 may configured such thatneck gear32 andwaist gear28 rotate in opposite directions. Further,transmission mechanism14 andneck gear32 may be configured such thatneck gear32 andwaist gear28 rotate at the same rate or at different rates.
• A user may actuateactuator16 to introduce energy into customizable actionFIG. 10 by way oftransmission mechanism14. Energy input intoactuator16 is transmitted throughtransmission mechanism16 to appendage18 to moveappendage18 relative totorso12.
• Actuator16 may take numerous forms. For example,actuator16 may be a belt configured to slide aroundtorso12, a button configured to move into and out oftorso12, or a lever configured to pivot into and out oftorso12. In the non-exclusive examples shown inFIGS. 1 and 3,actuator16 is ahip section42 configured to rotate relative totorso12. In this example,legs20 are pivotally attached tohip section42. To facilitate rotation,torso12 may include a fin or other element (not shown) projecting therefrom against which a user may exert rotating force relative toactuator16. In one illustrative and non-exclusive example, a user may rotatelower torso42 relative totorso12 to rotatewaist gear28, thus, drivingtransmission mechanism14 and in turn driving movement ofappendage18.
• Appendage18 may include a plurality ofsegments46 andmovement mechanisms38.Movement mechanisms38 may include gearing configured to move one segment relative to another as explained more fully below. For example,movement mechanism38 may rotate, bend, or extend one segment relative to another segment.Appendage18 may include various combinations of movement mechanisms such that a first segment rotates relative to second segment, while a third segment bends relative to the second segment, etc. Different appendages may include different combinations ofsegments46 andmovement mechanisms38, such as shown inFIGS. 4A-4B.
• Sets ofinterchangeable appendages18 may be provided to allow a user to interchangeably customize customizable actionFIG. 10. As shown inFIG. 3,shoulder gear30 may be configured to selectively receive and releaseappendages18. An aperture inshoulder gear30 may be sized to receive drive rod37 (shown inFIGS. 4A-4B) ofappendages18.
• FIG. 4A shows one example ofright arm26 configured to move in a certain manner.Right arm26 shown inFIG. 4A may includesegments46 including a shoulder orfirst segment50, anupper arm52, aforearm54, and a hand orthird segment56.Upper arm52 andforearm54 may be rigidly connected in some examples and in such examples collectively define a second segment. Driverod37 may drivingly coupleright arm26 toshoulder gear30 throughshoulder aperture25.
• Right arm26 may include a firstsegment gear train58 drivingly connected tofirst segment50 and driverod37. Firstsegment gear train58 may rotatefirst segment50 when driven bydrive rod37. As shown inFIG. 4A, first segment gear train may include multiple gears, such as amain gear59 and atransfer gear61. In the example depicted inFIG. 4A,main gear59 rotatesfirst segment50 and transfer gear drives asecond segment gear60.
• Second segment gear60 may be drivingly connected to the second segment, such as in this example toupper arm52. Rotation ofsecond segment gear60 typically causes the second segment to rotate. As is well known in the art, the size and number of gears in firstsegment gear train58 relative tosecond segment gear60 may cause the second segment to rotate at the same rate or a different rate thanfirst segment50 as well in the same direction or in a different direction thanfirst segment50.
• In the example depicted inFIG. 4A,right arm26 includes a fourthsegment gear train65 drivingly connected tofourth segment56 and to firstsegment gear train58. In some examples, such as depicted inFIG. 4A, fourthsegment gear train65 is drivingly connected to firstsegment gear train58 via aredirection mechanism64.Redirection mechanism64 may account for the second segment having an angle and straight shafts being used to drivingly connect firstsegment gear train58 with fourthsegment gear train65.Redirection mechanism64 may include gears having cooperatively angled teeth that facilitate coupled rotation of the gears at an angle.
• Fourthsegment gear train65 may rotatefourth segment56 relative to the second segment asmain gear59 of firstsegment gear train58 rotates. Different combinations of gear sizes may be used in fourthsegment gear train65 to causefourth segment56 to rotate at the same rate or a different rate thanfirst segment50 and/or the second segment. Further, it is well known within the art that different numbers of gears may be used in fourthsegment gear train65 to causefourth segment56 to rotate in the same direction or a different direction thanfirst segment50 or the second segment.
• FIG. 4B shows another example ofright arm26 configured to move in a certain manner.Right arm26 shown inFIG. 4A may includesegments46 including a shoulder orfirst segment50, anupper arm52, aforearm54, and a hand orthird segment56. In some examples,upper arm52 is rigidly attached tofirst segment50. Driverod37 may drivingly coupleright arm26 toshoulder gear30 throughshoulder aperture25.
• Right arm26 in the example shown inFIG. 4B may include firstsegment gear train58 drivingly connected tofirst segment50 and to driverod37. Firstsegment gear train58 in this example may rigidly attach tofirst segment50 and causefirst segment50 to rotate asdrive rod37 rotates. Additionally or alternatively, firstsegment gear train58 may include a plurality of gears (not pictured).
• Forearm54 ofright arm26 shown inFIG. 4B may be pivotally connected toupper arm52. In the example shown inFIG. 4B,upper arm52 is rigidly attached tofirst segment50. Apin69 may coupleforearm54 withupper arm52 and allowforearm54 to pivot relative toupper arm52. In the example shown inFIG. 4B,forearm54 freely pivots asfirst segment50 rotates when driven by rotation ofdrive rod37.
• In some examples,fourth segment56 ofright arm26 shown inFIG. 4B is rotatably connected toforearm54. In such an example,fourth segment56 typically freely rotates asforearm54 pivots relative toupper arm52. However, in some examples fourth segment is rigidly attached toforearm54 and in some examples fourth segment is pivotally attached toforearm54.
• Left arm27 may be similarly configured as either right-arm26 shown inFIG. 4A orright arm26 shown inFIG. 4B. As described forright arm26,left arm27 may include the same or similar segments and the same or similar gearing as shown and described forright arm26. As a result, in some examples leftarm27 may move the same or similarly toright arm26 shown inFIG. 4A and in other examples leftarm27 may move the same or similarly toright arm26 shown inFIG. 4B.
• Appendage18 may be configured to support acoupling member66 attached to object62 with hand orfourth segment56 as shown inFIG. 5. Asocket63 may be provided inhand56 for receivingobject62.Socket63 may include afirst socket region71 and asecond socket region75.Second socket region75 typically has a different cross sectional area thanfirst socket region71. In the examples shown inFIGS. 5, 5A, and5B,second socket region75 has a larger cross sectional area thanfirst socket region71.
• Couplingmember66 may be rigidly attached to object62 and may includedifferent regions68 for interfacing with different regions ofsocket63. For example, as shown inFIGS. 5, 5A, and5B,coupling member66 may include two regions: afirst coupling region70 distal fromobject62 and asecond coupling region72 proximate to object62. Couplingmember66 may be supported bysocket63 in two or more positions, such as a rotation position (shown inFIG. 5A) and a stationary position (shown inFIG. 5B).
• In the rotation position shown inFIG. 5A,coupling member66, and therefore object62, may rotate relative tofourth segment56 whenappendage18 moves or when directly rotated by a user. In the rotation position shown inFIG. 5A,first coupling region70 is loosely supported byfirst socket region71 andsecond socket region75.Second coupling member72 may be disposed outsidesocket63.First socket region71 may be sized to have a cross sectional area that receivesfirst coupling region70 with sufficient friction to retainfirst coupling region70 therein, but not so much friction that rotation offirst coupling region70 is unduly restricted.
• In the stationary position shown inFIG. 5B,coupling member66, and therefore object62, may be held stationary relative tofourth segment56. In the stationary position shown inFIG. 5B, first coupling member may extend intofirst socket region71 andsecond coupling member72 may extend intosecond socket region75.Second socket region75 may be sized to have a cross sectional area that fits sufficiently tight againstsecond coupling member72 that rotation ofsecond coupling member72 is restricted.
• Customizable actionFIG. 10 may include asound mechanism19 for producing sounds as depicted inFIG. 6. Sounds may include words, phrases, music, or sound effects, such as crashing or sword swooshing sounds. As is typical in the art,sound mechanism19 may include apower supply74, such as a battery, a processor andmemory76 to store sound data,circuitry78 to transfer sound data, aswitch82 to activatesound mechanism19, and aspeaker80 to convert sound data into sound waves.Sound mechanism19 may be mounted intorso12 and link totransmission mechanism14 with viaswitch82.
• Movingtransmission mechanism14 may activatesound mechanism19 to produce sounds by means ofswitch82. Movement of a component, such as a projection on a rotating component (not shown), oftransmission mechanism14 may causeswitch82 to togglesound mechanism19 between active and inactive states. Additionally or alternatively, switch82 may toggle sound mechanism between different active states. For example,sound mechanism19 may be configured to produce different sounds eachtime transmission mechanism14 is actuated or it may be configured to produce different sounds asactuator16 is actuated in different directions.
• Customizable actionFIG. 10 may includelegs20 to supporttorso12 from aplay surface21.Legs20 may be pivotally connected totorso12 to enable the legs to simulate walking and to be positioned in different stances. The pivotal connections may comprise ball joints, a connection throughtransmission mechanism14, or any other suitable pivotal connection means.
• As can be seen from the above description, an action figure may include 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.
• As can further be seen from the above description, an action figure may include 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.
• The above description makes it further apparent that an action figure may include a housing, a transmission mechanism supported in the housing, 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.
• While embodiments of a customizable action figure and methods of use thereof have been particularly shown and described, many variations may be made therein. This disclosure may include one or more independent or interdependent inventions directed to various combinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties, one or more of which may be defined in the following claims. Other combinations and sub-combinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed later in this or a related application. Such variations, whether they are directed to different combinations or directed to the same combinations, whether different, broader, narrower or equal in scope, are also regarded as included within the subject matter of the present disclosure. An appreciation of the availability or significance of claims not presently claimed may not be presently realized. Accordingly, the foregoing embodiments are illustrative, and no single feature or element, or combination thereof, is essential to all possible combinations that may be claimed in this or a later application. Each claim defines an invention disclosed in the foregoing disclosure, but any one claim does not necessarily encompass all features or combinations that may be claimed.
• Where the disclosure recites “a” or “a first” element or the equivalent thereof, such recitations include one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements. Further, ordinal indicators, such as first, second or third, for identified elements are used to distinguish between the elements, and do not indicate a required or limited number of such elements, and do not indicate a particular position or order of such elements unless otherwise specifically stated.
• Inventions embodied in various combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements, and/or properties may be claimed through presentation of claims in a related application. Such claims, whether they are directed to different inventions or directed to the same invention, whether different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the other claims, are also regarded as included within the subject matter of the present disclosure.

Claims (21)

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 ofclaim 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 ofclaim 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 ofclaim 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 ofclaim 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 ofclaim 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 ofclaim 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 ofclaim 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 ofclaim 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 ofclaim 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 ofclaim 4, wherein the third segment includes a socket for receiving an object inserted therein.

12. The action figure ofclaim 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 ofclaim 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 ofclaim 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 ofclaim 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 ofclaim 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 ofclaim 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 ofclaim 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 ofclaim 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.

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