US20060234599A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20060234599A1
Application number: US11/105,689
Authority: US
Inventors: Ann Mo; Lawrence Clayton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-04-13
Filing date: 2005-04-13
Publication date: 2006-10-19

Abstract

A doll body is configured to receive and secure a selected one of a plurality of interchangeable upper torso and head units. The upper torso and head units may be interchangeably used in attachment to doll body. Alternatively, a support base is provided which may also support a selected upper torso and head unit.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to toy figures such as dolls and particularly to those dolls often described in the toy industry as “fashion dolls”.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Toy figures such as dolls have proven to be an extremely pervasive and popular toy product for many years. Faced with this extensive and long-lasting popularity, practitioners in the toy arts have provided a virtually endless variety of toy figures such as dolls. Perhaps one of the most popular types of dolls which have been provided by practitioners in the toy arts that which is generally known as “fashion dolls”. Fashion dolls generally refer to dolls that are relatively small and easily handled by young children. Typically fashion dolls are formed for the most part of a relatively rigid plastic material and define articulated jointed figures. Part of the appeal of fashion dolls is found in the extensive use of interesting and entertaining wardrobes and hair styling activities. In further addition, fashion dolls are often utilized in combination with various lifestyle accessories.

In attempting to enhance the play value of such dolls, practitioners in the art have continued to create additional features for enhancing the dolls play value. As a result, fashion dolls have been provided which utilize play patterns simulating virtually every fantasy and real life human activity known. Dolls have been provided which eat, walk, may-be-dressed, have hair which may be styled or faces which may be made-up using simulated cosmetics.

Among these many types of play features, attempts have been made to provide dolls which involve hair styling, make-up and other appearance changing features. One type of appearance changing dolls provides interchangeable heads for the doll body. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,566,801 issued to Millard sets forth a DOLL which typifies early attempts at providing dolls with interchangeable heads and bodies. U.S. Pat. No. 2,756,540 issued to Cleaver sets forth a DOLL WITH REMOVABLE HEAD in which a doll body supports a neck portion and an upwardly extending hook. A cooperating head is received upon the neck and secured by the hook.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,464,146 issued to McCmurdy sets forth a DOLL WITH ROTATABLE HEAD HAVING INTERCHANGEABLE FRONT AND BACK PARTS in which a doll supports a pair of faces on opposite sides of the head portion.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,480,337 issued to Baker sets forth a COMBINATION DIVERSE DOLL AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITY PLAYSET METHOD in which a doll is assembled from a headless body. A head is chosen from several available heads and is securable to the doll. A hair wig is also provided which may be secured to the doll head.

In another appearance change doll feature, practitioners have provided various hair styles and wigs which are interchangeable. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,903,640 issued to Dunn which sets forth CHANGEABLE HAIR DOLL together with U.S. Pat. No. 4,070,790 issued to Strongin et al. which sets forth a DOLL WITH RELEASABLY-ATTACHED HAIR PIECES show examples of doll having changeable hair pieces.

French Patents 2,559,073 and 2,627,398 set forth examples of dolls having removable hair features.

Still other doll feature interchangeable face portions. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,676,584 issued to Perryman sets forth a DOLL WITH INTERCHANGEABLE FACES in which a doll body supports a head portion. A series of head slip covers with each slip cover supporting a distinct facial expression are interchangeably slipped over the dolls head to interchange the doll faces.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,897,420 issued to Lawrence et al. set forth an ANIMAL DOLL WITH DETACHABLE PARTS in which an animal figure body is provided with a plurality of hook and loop fabric attachments. The fabric attachments are used in combination with cooperating fabric attachment members to secure appendages and the head to the doll body.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,090,910 issued to Narlo sets forth a MULTIPLE THREE DIMENSIONAL FACIAL DISPLAY SYSTEM which is constructed of a plurality of molded components chosen to resemble the features of a human head. Various alternatively shaped components are provided for each primary region of the facial display to obtain a variety of face shapes.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,580,992 issued to McKay sets forth a TRANSFORMABLE TOY having a toy figures body supporting a neck upon which a head capable of transformation between distinct appearances is supported.

Removable or attachable head features on dolls are further shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,447,359 issued to Krump, U.S.Pat. No. 6,705,794 issued to Varner et al., U.S. Pat. No. 1,509,604 issued to Meyers and U.S. Pat. No. 4,038,775 issued to Sato.

Activities such as make-up play and actual cosmetic practice often utilize an enlarged doll head supportable on a base structure. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,109,921 issued to Yau sets forth a MAKE-UP MANNEQUIN HEAD AND MAKE-UP MANNEQUIN KIT FOR USE THEREWITH in which a mannequin head is accompanied by a plurality of flexible soft skin companion masks having facial configurations thereon. The masks are interchangeably securable to the mannequin head.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,763 issued to Yau sets forth a METHOD OF TEACHING, TRAINING AND PRACTICE COSMETOLOGY TECHNIQUES AND A MAKE-UP MANNEQUIIN KIT FOR USE THEREWITH sets forth a cosmetology mannequin similar to that set forth above in U.S. Pat. No. 6,109,921.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,320,535 issued to Min sets forth a MANNEQUIN HEAD FOR USE IN MAKE-UP PRACTICE AND METHOD OF USE in which a single mannequin head supports a pair of oppositely facing facial portions.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,221,060 issued to Moskowstz et al sets forth a CHILDRENS DENTAL INSTRUCTION KIT having a base supporting a neck and human-like doll head. The doll head defines features such as a mouth and exposed teeth which may be brushed to remove a simulated stain.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,197,093 issued to Doran sets forth an DISPLAY HEAD having a base supporting a neck which in turn supports a human-like head. The display head further includes a removable face portion and a plurality of hair styled wigs for use therewith.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,758,717 issued to Park et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,629,872 issued to Chung; U.S. Pat. No. 6,165,569 issued to Cohen; U.S. Pat. No. 6,086,447 issued to Tucker, U.S. Pat. No. 5,980,260 issued to Caputi; U.S. Pat. No. 5,596,503 issued to Flint; U.S. Pat. No. 5,417,606 and Published Patent Application US 2001/0046830 filed by Bellavia set forth various dolls and toy figures generally related to the present invention.

While the foregoing prior art devices have to some extent improved the art and have in some instances enjoyed commercial success, there remains nonetheless a continuing need in the art for evermore improved, amusing, interesting and versatile dolls and toy figures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved doll product. It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide an improved doll product which increases the play value of the doll by utilizing interchangeable elements in combination therewith.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a doll playset comprising: a doll body having a torso; at least one interchangeable unit having a head, a neck and an upper torso; the upper torso being receivable upon the torso; and a releasable latch for releasably attaching the interchangeable unit upon the torso, the upper torso when attached to the torso forming the upper chest and back of the doll body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in the several figures of which like reference numerals identify like elements and in which:

FIG. 1 sets forth a rear perspective view of a doll constructed in accordance with the present invention having a head and upper torso unit assembled thereto;

FIG. 2 sets forth a rear perspective view of the present invention doll ofFIG. 1 showing the assembly of the head and upper torso unit to the body thereof;

FIG. 3A sets forth a perspective view of a head and upper torso unit assembled to a support base;

FIG. 3B sets forth a perspective view of an alternate head and upper torso unit;

FIG. 4 sets forth a perspective assembly view of the head and upper torso unit and support base ofFIG. 3A;

FIG. 5 sets forth a perspective assembly view of a doll and a head and torso unit constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 sets forth a partially sectioned rear view of a doll and a head and upper torso unit constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 sets forth a partially sectioned rear view of a doll and a head and upper torso unit assembled together;

FIG. 8 sets forth a partially sectioned side view of the present invention doll and a head and upper torso unit being assembled thereto.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 sets forth a rear perspective view of a doll having a head and upper torso unit assembled thereto. The present invention doll shown inFIG. 1 is generally referenced bynumeral10. By way of overview, the head and upper torso unit assembled todoll10 completes the doll figure. And by way of further overview, the head and upper torso are removable as a single unit in the manner shown inFIG. 2 to allow interchangeable head and upper torso units to be applied to the doll body.

More specifically,doll10 includes adoll body11 fabricated of a plastic material or the like and generally replicating the form of a human female. Accordingly,doll body11 includes a pair of

arms

13 and14 supported by atorso12 at a pair of

shoulderjoints

15 and16 respectively. In accordance with the present invention,torso12 further defines anaperture17 within which abutton18 is movably supported. In further accordance with the present invention,doll10 includes ahead21 supporting a quantity ofdoll hair22.Head21 is supported upon aneck41 which in turn extends upwardly from anupper torso unit20.Upper torso unit20 defines a multiplycurved edge40 extending about the lower periphery ofupper torso unit20.Torso12 defines a recessedportion35 which is bounded by anedge36.Edge36 conforms generally to edge40 oftorso12 such that in the assembled position of the present invention doll, a seam line is formed between

edges

40 and36.

In the view ofdoll10 shown inFIG. 1,doll10 is wearing ablouse30 upontorso12.Blouse30 is joined along its rear seam by a pair of cooperating hook-and-

loop fabric closures

31 and32. In the view shown inFIG. 1,

closures

31 and32 are partially opened to exposebutton18. In accordance with an important aspect of the present invention, the user is able to remove the combined unit formed byhead21,neck41 andupper torso20 by simply pressingbutton18 inwardly withinaperture17. A latch mechanism set forth below inFIGS. 6, 7 and8 is released asbutton18 is pressed inwardly allowing the removal ofhead21,neck41 andupper torso20 fromtorso12. In this manner, a different interchangeable head and upper torso unit may be installed upontorso12 to alter the appearance ofdoll10.

FIG. 2 sets forth a rear perspective view of the present invention doll illustrating the separation and removal of the head and upper torso unit formed byupper torso20,neck41 andhead21.

arms

13 and14 supported by atorso12 at a pair of

shoulder joints

edges

40 and36.

In the position shown inFIG. 2, the user has just released the latch mechanism withindoll10 which restrains post42 ofupper torso unit20. This release is actuated by pressingbutton18 inwardly in the manner indicated byarrow25. Asbutton18 is pressed inwardly and the internal latch (seen inFIGS. 6, 7 and8) is released,torso20 together withneck41 andhead21 is released aspost42 is forced upwardly throughaperture37 in the direction indicated by arrow26. In this manner, the combined unit formed byupper torso20,neck41 andhead21 may be exchanged for an alternative unit such as the unit shown inFIG. 3B. By way of further alternative, the upper torso and head unit once removed fromdoll body11 may be secured to a support base in the manner shown inFIGS. 3A and 4.

FIG. 3A sets forth a perspective view of a head and upper torso unit secured to a support base50. As described above, the present invention doll includes ahead21 supporting a quantity ofdoll hair22.Head21 defines adoll face45 and is supported by aneck41.Neck41 is joined to and extends upwardly from anupper torso20. As is also described above,upper torso20 defines anirregular edge40 encircling the lower portion ofupper torso20. It will be recalled thatedge40 generally conforms to edge36 of torso12 (seen inFIG. 2). Correspondingly, base50 includes an upwardly extendingsupport portion51 which is configured to generally replicate the upper portion oftorso12 and thus defines anirregular edge53 which conforms to edge40. In addition, and as is better seen inFIG. 4,support portion51 of base50 defines a recessed portion52 which in turn defines anaperture54.

Returning toFIG. 3A, base50 is shown supportingupper torso20 uponsupport portion51 in a secure support which facilitates either storage of the upper torso and head unit of the present invention doll or alternatively functions as a convenient support in which base50 allows the child user to place the upper torso and head unit upon base50 and employ various hair play and make-up play patterns of activity. In the preferred fabrication of the present invention, base50 receivesupper torso20 in a simple resting engagement and therefore head21 andupper torso20 are removed from base50 by simply drawinghead21 upwardly in the manner shown inFIG. 4.

FIG. 4 shows the upper torso and head unit of the present invention doll having been withdrawn from its rest position shown inFIG. 3A. As mentioned above,head21 supports a quantity ofdoll hair22 and defines aface45. As is also mentioned above,neck41 extends upwardly fromupper torso20 and supportshead21.Upper torso20 defines anirregular edge40 and a downwardly extendingpost42.Post42 defines anotch43 which, as is better seen inFIGS. 6, 7 and8 is utilized in securely latchingupper torso20 to a doll body.

Base50 provides a support platform from which asupport portion51 extends upwardly.Support portion51 defines anirregular edge53 which generally conforms to edge40 ofupper torso20.Support portion51 further defines a recessed portion52 which receivesupper torso20 and anaperture54 which receives post42 ofupper torso20.

FIG. 3B sets forth a perspective view of an alternative head and upper torso unit for use in combination with the present invention doll. By way of overview, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the head and upper torso unit shown inFIG. 3B is configured to replace or be interchangeable with the head and upper torso unit shown inFIGS. 3A and 4. Accordingly, ahead60 supports a quantity ofdoll hair62 and defines aface63. An upper torso portion64 includes an upwardly extending neck61 which supportshead60. Upper torso portion64 defines a lower edge65 which is generally the same asedge40 ofupper torso20 shown inFIG. 4. In further similarity, upper torso64 includes a downwardly extending post66 having anotch67 formed therein. Thus, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art by comparison ofFIGS. 3B and 4 that the head and torso unit shown inFIG. 3B is interchangeable with the head and upper torso unit shown inFIG. 4. Thus, either of the head and upper torso unit set forth inFIGS. 3B and 4 may be utilized in combination with base50 or alternatively, may be joined totorso12 ofdoll10 in the manner shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. In accordance with the anticipated use of the present invention doll, the child user is able to place a selected head and upper torso unit upon a doll for the desired play and is able to place a desired head and upper torso unit upon base50 for use in make-up and hair play pattern activities.

FIG. 5 sets forth a front perspective view of the assembly ofupper torso20 andhead21 todoll body11. As described above,doll10 includes adoll body11 having atorso portion12 which supports ablouse30. As is also described above,doll body11 includes

arms

13 and14 joined totorso12 at

shoulders

15 and16. A recessedportion35 having anedge36 is formed upon the upper surface oftorso12 and includes anaperture37. Recessedportion35 andaperture37 are configured to receiveupper torso20 and post42 respectively of the head and upper torso unit shown being assembled thereto.Head21 supports a quantity ofdoll hair22 and aface45. Aneck41 extends upwardly fromupper torso20 and supportshead21.Upper torso20 includes a downwardly extendingpost42 having anotch43 formed therein.

FIG. 6 sets forth a partially sectioned rear view ofdoll10 showing the upper torso and head unit separated therefrom. With temporary reference toFIG. 7, it will be noted thatFIG. 7 shows the same section view with the difference being found in the assembly ofupper torso20 andhead21 todoll body11.

More specifically,head21 is supported uponupper torso20 by aneck41.Upper torso20 includes a downwardly extendingboss46 supporting a further downwardly extendingpost42.Upper torso20 further defines anirregular bottom edge40 extending about the lower periphery ofupper torso20.Doll10 further includes adoll body11 defining atorso12 which in turn defines a recessedportion35 on the upper portion thereof.Torso12 further supports a pair of

arms

13 and14 at

shoulders

15 and16 respectively.Torso12 further defines anaperture37 extending downwardly into abore70. Aspring77 is captivated withinbore70 by a pair of

72 and76 which are generally concentric withaperture37 of recessedportion35. Anaperture75 is formed at the bottom ofbore70 and is generally concentric withaperture37.

A latch mechanism is provided by aslideable latch member80 which is coupled to abutton18.Latch80 is slideably movable in a front-to-back motion better seen inFIG. 8. However, suffice it to note here that latch80 together withbutton18 is slidable within the interior oftorso12 in a front-to-back movement upon aguide82 formed within the interior oftorso12.Latch80 further defines atab81 which, as is better seen inFIG. 8, is configured to engagenotch43 ofpost42 to secureupper torso20 upon recessedportion35. Suffice it to note here thatupper torso20 supportingneck41 andhead21 is attachable todoll body11 by simply forcing the upper torso unit downwardly such thatpost42 andboss46 extend throughaperture37. With continued downward movement, post42 passes through

apertures

72 and76 of

retainers

71 and74. As the downward force continues to be applied toupper torso20,boss46 passes downwardly throughaperture37 and abuts the upper surface ofretainer71. Thereafter, continued downward force overcomes the force ofspring77 and forcesretainer71 downwardly astab81 oflatch80 engages notch43 (seen inFIG. 8). Oncetab81 has engagednotch43. The attachment ofupper torso20 upon recessedportion35 is complete and secure.

FIG. 7 sets forth a partially sectioned rear view ofdoll10 showingupper torso20 supportingneck41 andhead21 in secure attachment todoll body11.

As will be apparent by comparingFIGS. 6 and 7, the extension ofposts42 downwardly throughaperture37 and

apertures

72 and76 of

retainers

71 and74 allows the lower ends ofpost42 to bringnotch43 into alignment withtab81 oflatch80. In this latch position, the extension oftab81 oflatch80 intonotch43 resists the compression force present inspring77. So long aslatch80 remains engagedupper torso portion20 remains secured withinrecess portion35 oftorso12.

At this point the user is able to indulge in typical doll play utilizing the selected head and upper torso unit. Once the child user desires to exchange the upper torso and head unit for a different unit, the user simply pressesbutton18 which, as is better described below inFIG. 8, releases the engagement oftab81 withinnotch43 ofpost42. With this latch release, the force ofspring77 drivesboss46 upwardly carryingpost42 as well asupper torso20 out of the engagement position and allowing the upper torso and head unit to be withdrawn in the manner seen inFIG. 6.

FIG. 8 sets forth a partially section side view of the present invention doll. As described above,doll10 includes an upper torso and head unit formed byupper torso20,neck41 andhead21. As is also described above,head21 defines aface45.Upper torso20 further defines alower edge40 and a downwardly extendingboss46.Boss46 in turn supports a downwardly extendingpost42 having anotch43 formed therein.

Doll body

11 includes atorso12 having a recessedportion35 and anedge36. As mentioned above,edge36 conforms generally to edge40 ofupper torso20. Recessedportion35 further defines anaperture37 and a downwardly extendingbore70.Bore70 receives a pair of

retainers

71 and74 having

respective apertures

72 and76 formed therein. Aspring77 is captivated between

retainers

71 and74.

Torso

12 further defines anaperture17 and aguide member82 together with arearwardly extending bore86.Bore86 receives aspring87. Abutton18 is received withinaperture17 and is secured to a forwardly extendingpost85.Post85 extends intobore86 and abutsspring87.Post85 is further joined to alatch80 having alatch tab81 formed on the upper end thereof.Latch80 is slidably received uponguide82.Spring87 provides a force againstpost85 urgingbutton18 outwardly fromaperture17. The extended position ofbutton18 and post85 is defined by the abutment oflatch80 against the interior edge of the portion oftorso12 within whichaperture17 is formed.

The attachment ofupper torso20 todoll body11 is accomplished by positioningpost42 withinaperture37 as shown and thereafter forcingpost42 downwardly as indicated byarrow84. Aspost42 is forced downwardly, bore46

contacts retainer

71. Thereafter, continued downward force uponupper torso20 overcomes the force ofspring77 compressing the spring and allowing further downward movement ofpost42 and bore46. This downward movement continues untilnotch43 is brought into alignment withtab81 oflatch80. Thereafter, the force ofspring87 positions latch80 such thattab81 is received withinnotch43 ofpost42. Oncetab81 extends into and engagesnotch43, the force ofspring77 is resisted by the resulting latch andupper torso20 is secured to recessedportion35 oftorso12. At this point,upper torso20 andneck41 together withhead21 are secured todoll body11. The child user may then indulge in typical play patterns with the doll.

When the user desires to remove the upper torso and head unit fromdoll body11, the user simply pressesbutton18 inwardly overcoming the force ofspring87 and movinglatch80 in the direction indicated byarrow83. Aslatch80 moves in the direction indicated byarrow83,tab81 is removed fromnotch43 and the latch is released. Once the latch has been released, the force ofspring77 drives bore46 together withpost42 upwardly and separation betweenupper torso20 and recessedportion35 takes place. The user may then install a different head upper torso unit or utilize the head and upper torso unit in combination with base50 in the manner shown inFIGS. 3 and 4 above.

What has been shown is a doll having a head and upper torso unit which is interchangeable upon a doll body and a styling base. As a result, a variety of play patterns may be indulged in using a plurality of head and upper torso units upon one or more doll bodies and one or more support bases.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. Therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A doll playset comprising:

a doll body having a torso;

at least one interchangeable unit having a head, a neck and an upper torso; said upper torso being receivable upon said torso; and

a releasable latch for releasably attaching said interchangeable unit upon said torso,

said upper torso when attached to said torso forming the upper chest and back of said doll body.

2. The doll playset set forth inclaim 1 wherein said torso defines a recessed portion and wherein said upper torso fits into said recessed portion.

3. The doll playset set forth inclaim 2 wherein said releasable latch includes a post having a notch therein extending downwardly from said upper torso and an aperture formed in said recessed portion of said torso for receiving said post.

4. The doll playset set forth inclaim 3 wherein said releasable latch includes a sliding latch plate having a tab for engaging said notch.

5. The doll playset set forth inclaim 4 further including a base having a support defining a recessed portion constructed to receive said upper torso.

6. The doll playset comprising:

a doll body having a torso;

a plurality of interchangeable units each having an upper torso, receivable on said torso, a neck and a head supported thereon, each of said interchangeable units being constructed to be secured to said torso; and

a base having a support portion defining a recessed portion for receiving an upper torso of a selected interchangeable unit to support said selected interchangeable unit.