Importance

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Abstract

A character (2) capable of forming facial expressions is provided. The character includes a hollow head (4) with a face defining a mouth (6) thereon. The mouth has a length and includes a first end portion (6A) and a second end portion (6B). The character further includes, externally or within the hollow head, a mechanism (7) for causing various facial expressions. The mechanism includes a main frame plate (8), a mouth assembly (10) fixedly mounted on the main frame plate, and a drive assembly (12) also mounted on the main frame plate. The mouth assembly includes an upper lip chain (14) which is formed from a plurality of links (16) and has a first end (14a) and a second end (14b). The drive assembly is adapted to move at least one of the first and second ends of the upper lip chain and, hence, at least one of the corresponding end portions of the mouth, to cause various facial expressions, such as a smile, frown, or mumbling mouth.

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First Claim