EXPRESSIVE FEATURE MECHANISM FOR ANIMATED CHARACTERS AND DEVICES

A mechanism for animated characters capable of visually communicating facial expressions is provided. The mechanism ( 10 ) has two mesh gears per upper or lower lip (FIG. 1 b). One gear of each pair is rotated by a single drive ( 20, 22 ). Each gear has two guidance devices ( 60, 62, 56, 58 ). Rotation of any gear to which the elastomeric material ( 80 ) is connected via a guidance device results in the stretch or ability to retract the elastomeric material. Secondary guidance devices ( 64, 66, 68, 70 ) on a gear, when in contact with the elastomeric material, cause an inflection or deflection of the elastomeric material. Resulting stretch or bending of the elastomeric material mimics facial expressions.