US1332825A - Doll - Google Patents

Description

C. L- GLOSSB RENNER.

DOLL. APPLICATION FILED AUGJL 1919.

Pafianted Mar. 21920.

W w 1. 0 m i w T E E H s 3 TIE. J.

C. L. GLOSSBRENNER.

DOLL.

APPLICATION HLE D AUG-23. 1919.

Patented Mar. 2, 1920.

3 SHEET$-$HEET 2 I V J r W/nesacs C. L. GLOSSBRENNER.

DOLL.

APPLICATION FILED Aue.23, I919.

Patented Mar. 2, 1920.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3- TIE; E

b if? UNITED STATES CHARLOTTE L. GLOSSBRENNER, OF-YORK, PENNSYLVANIA.

DOLL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 2, 1920.

Application filed August 23, 1919; Serial No. 319,339.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLOTTE L. Gross- BRENNER, a citizen of the United States, residing at" York, in the county of York and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in D olls, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements 111 dolls of that general type wherein the trunk and limbs, constituting the body, are stuffed and the limbs are connected to the trunk by joints of flexible and continuous character, that is to say, joints which may be termed impositive in the sense that they are devoid of mechanical connections such as balls and sockets, wires, hinges, or the like. j

The greatest value in point of utility, that is as regards the pleasure or enjoyment afforded by the toy, attaches to dolls which are light in weight, not readily destroyed, andmay be dressed or clothed. Doll bodies of the character referred to have been developed with this fact in view and have the advantages of being unbreakable, of having an outline or figure which is substantlally as permanent as that of any jointed doll whose body is made of rigid materlal, and of being lighter in weight, size for size, than most doll bodies of rigid material, either breakable or unbreakable. As regards clothed or dressed dolls, the best results are realized when the doll bodymay be arranged in various positions and closely or substantially simulates the infant form. This simulation may, as. regards the form of the body members, 2". 6., the trunk and limbs, be readily secured in those constructions where the doll body (either as an entirety or as to its several members) is of rigid material and is produced by molding or otherwise by methods employing dies. subject, however, to the limitations that such doll bodies are either devoid of flexible joints between the body members, or, if having such joints, require therefor mechanical expedients which impairthe naturalness and grace of'the outline as an entirety, which produce awkward and stilted postures and which do not permit ease of relative movement between the body members. In the case of dolls having stuffed bodies the ordinary mechanical agencies and methods for producing the desired simulation of the infant form are, of coursefnot body members.

available and there are practical difiiculties which have proved serious obstacles to the results sought, especially in contemplation of stufl'ed dolls having flexible jointure between the limbs and trunk where the joints should have relative ease of action and where the naturalness of efl'ect should be carried out in the joints as well as in the form of the body members; The efforts which have heretofore been made to overcome these difficulties have, so far as I am aware, been only partially successfulthat 1s tosay, the attainment of some advantage of structure or utility was attended by the sacrifice or impairment of some other advantage of material value in the general scheme of construction or use.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide, in a doll construction, a stuffed body which combines the advantages of rigid bodies and of stuffed bodies vas heretofore known and which has several" advantages not possessed by either and contrrbuting materially to the utility of the toy. Stated more specifically, this object I is to provide a stuffed doll body which'ma y be practically and economically manufactured; which, having flexible v im'positive jointur'e" between its members, closely simulates the infant form, may be arranged in various postures, conforming to natural postures and in. which thesimulation of the infant form, as in those postures, is maintained; and which may be manipulated to produce relative movements between the body members with resultant effects similar to the effects produced by normal correspondingmovements of the body members of an infant, for example, the effect of walking. I

The body of the doll is composed of a casing of textile fabric of any ofthe kinds ordinarilyemployed and a filling of soft resilient material such as cotton or wool which may be packed to the density desired; andiwith the stated objects view the invention consists generally in the novel structural details of the fabric casing and also'in the combination with a casing having suchdetails of a filling of soft resilient maparts-ofthe body in such manner as to secure its cooperation with the casing 'in' the provision of flexible jointure' between the terial'whose density is varied at different In dolls of the type to which the invention relates the utility is'enhanced by providing a hollow head of rigid, preferably unbreakable, material which has the advantages, as compared with stuffed fabric material, of being adaptable to a more lifelike representation of the features and of being readily cleaned.

A. further object of the present invention is to provide a doll having a body and a head, both of the character stated, wherein there is a non-accessible and permanently secure union or connection between the head and the body and any liability of the stuffing of the body, to become displaced within the hollow head (in consequence of the density with which the stufling may be packed and also of the more or less frequent and severe usage which the toy may be given) is eliminated; and with this object in vlew the invention further consists in certain novel structural details of the means of connection between the body and the head according to which the securing elements are concealed and are associated with a web which constitutes a part of the connection tions showing the doll in a standing posture;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation showing the doll in a sitting posture;

Fig. 4C is a detail vertical section on the line H of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a detail horizontal section on the line 55 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a detail vertical section showing the means of connection between the body and the head;

Fig. 7 isa detail horizontal section on the line 77 of Fig. 6; I

Figs. 8 to 11 are developed views showing the different parts of the fabric casing.

Similar characters of reference designate corresponding parts.

The doll body is composed of a trunk 1, and leg members 2 and arm members 3 connected to said trunk. Said body is also connected to a head 4. The body construction consists of a casing of suitable fabric and a stuffing of cotton or wool or similar resilient material which may be packed to the desired density mechanically to distend the casing and give ita permanent form.

According to the invention, the fabric casing consists of sections stitched together and of such form and relation that, with appropriate regulation of the density of the cooperating stufiing, the members 1 and 3 have a flexible jointure with the trunk 1 which permits of a relative freedom of movement of said members, and the body closely simulates the infant form, as regards its postures and its movements, and its form in any posture or movement. The close similitude to the infant form will be apparent from a consideration of Figs. 1 and 2 from which it will be noted that the trunk has normal belly, back and hip curves, that the abdominal part is of normal form and location relatively to the hips and the legs, that at the back of the trunk there is simulation of the buttocks, that the arms and legs are of normal shape and proportion, that the continuous jointure between the legs and the trunk is such as to carry out the similitude to the hips, groins and crotch or genital area, and that the continuous jointure between the arms and the trunk is such as to carry out the similitude to the lines of the clavicle and the shoulder curves.

The sections of the fabric casing whereby the body has the characteristics of appearance and action, above pointed out, are provided in duplicate, the form of each of the duplicated sections being shown in Figs. 8 to 11, respectively. The section shown in Fig. 8 combines integrally one of the back halves 5 of the trunk portion and the outer half 6 of either of the leg portions; the section shown in Fig. 9 embodies one of the front halves 7 of the trunk portion; that of Fig. 10 the inner half 8 of either of the leg portions; and that of Fig. 11 either half 9 of either of the arm portions.

In Figs. 1, 2 and 3, in order to avoid multiplication of reference numerals as well as to suggest the relation of the margins of the several sections, all seams are designated by the reference numerals of the connected margins by which they are produced. In the succeeding description margins which are referred to as complements of one another are to be understood as stitched together, thereby forming seams.

Referring to Fig. 8, the back half 5 of the trunk portion has a vertical margin 10 whose shape determines the outline of the center of the back and which complements the similar margin of the companion half 5; the margin 10 may be straight, but it is preferably in the form of a compound curve, very slightly convex, as at 10 in the upper half of its length and very slightly convex as at 10 in the lower half of its length. The margin 10 may be said to have its lower termination at a point 10 at which point it indistinguishably joins a margin 11 formed along an approximately semi-elliptic convex curve whose components preferably lie slightly beyond and adjacent the lines of an imaginary right angle (see dot and dash lines, Fig. 8) extending from about the cen tral point 11 of the curve 11 and one of which is takenbetween said point 11 and stantially straight margin 13 extending inward and whose shape-determines what may be called the clavicularline of the trunk,

that is to say, the line'between the neck and .18 and 10 an extension ortab 14: is provided which is used in connection with the union of the doll body and head and, as folded in along aline taken between the points whereat it joins the margins 13*and 10 produces one-fourth of the circle of the neck. The vertical margin 12 determines the vertical line of the trunk at either side and is preferably suitably concave whereby when the part 5-is distended'to follow the circle of the trunk the vertical side line of the trunk as viewed from the front (see Fig. 1) will be substantially straight; the 'upperportion of the margin 12 is used in the jointure ofthe trunk and either'of the arms. The margin 12 merges 'ind-istinguishably at its lower termination which may be taken as the'point 12 with a slightly convexmargin 15 directed at a slight outwardangle and whose lower termination may be taken at thepoint 15. The margin 15 is located opposite the margin 11 and since both of these margins are convex the part 5 has its greatest width in the area between them. This portion of increased width gives the prominence'characteristic of the hipareas at'the-sides and adjacent the buttocks, the lines of which are determined by the'margins 11 which in the completed fabric extend downward in diverging relation from the point 10. The margins 15 determinethe lines of thethighs at the front of the legs and at the points 15" indistinguishably join the margins 16 which determine the front lines of the portions of the legs below the knees and preferably bend inward from the margins 15. The margin 11 hasitslower termination at a point 11 where it forms an approximate right angle with the slightly convex margin 17 whose shape determines the back lines of the calves It will be noted'that the margins '16 and 17 have a converging relation in their lower portions whereby the lower portions of the legs as formed by the parts 6 will have the normal outlinescharacteristic of.

infants. The part 6 terminates in a foot portion 6 whose margins extend from the lower terminations of the margins 16 and 17.

The section 7 shown in Fig. 9 has a vertical margin 18 which is stitched to the similar margin of tllBCOIIlPiLIllOIl section 7 and is shapedto produce the vertical outline of the chest and belly at the center of the trunk. The margin 18-is of regular convex curvature throughout its extent; suchcurva- -ture being. accentuated in its lower portion the circle of the neck.

the abd'omennas directed toward the crotch lorgenital' area. The section 7 alsohasa lateral vertical margin 19 which comple- Inents themargin 12 of thepart 5, its upper portion being used in the jointure ofthe trunk and either of the arms; the margin 19 has a' generally concave curvature where the shoulder curve Between the margins by as straightened out to match the margin 12 in producing the vertical line of the trunkat the side it will develop across the section '7 the fullness or roundness of the transverse chest and abdominal outlines. The margin 19 at its lowertermination 19" indistinguishably joins a convex margin 20 which is bent inward and meets the lower end of the margin 18 at an angle slightly greaterthan a right angle; the margin 20 establishes the line of the groin and in the connected relation of the sections extends forward and downward from the point 19 in diverging relation to the margin 15 which, as stated, determines the line of the thigh at the front ofthe leg. The section? also has an upper margin 21 which complements themargin 13 of the part 5 and which extends inward at'a suitable angle from the margin 19 Between the margin 21 and the vertical margin 18 an'extens'ion" or tab 22 is provided, this extension being functionally the same as the similarextension 1d of the part 5 and, as folded in alon'g a line taken between the adjacent terminations of the margins 18 and 22, producing one-fourth of The extensions 22 and 14 are, of course, complementary.

Thesection 8 shown in Fig. 10 has a'margin 23 which complements'and is of the same outline as the continuous margins 15 and 16 of the part 6. It also has a margin 24; which complements and is of the same outline as the margin 17 of the part 6. The section 8 terminatesatits lower end in a foot portion 8 which complements the foot portion 6". Theupper portion of the sectionS has what may be termed a fish-tail outline and includes two'oppositely directed parts; one of these,"the part 25, lies at the front of'the thigh adjacent the groin and has a margin 26 which complementsthe margin 20 of the part 7 and the'other, the part 27 lies at the rear of the'thigh adjacent the crotch and hasan outermargin 28 which complements the margin 11 of the part 5 and an inner -meet at'a point 30 at which they. form a right angle, more or less. The point 30 lies at the center 'ofthe front of the crotchand is the common meeting point of the trunk front seam 18, the crotch seam 29 and the groin seams 2620. The crotch seam 29 lies in the same vertical plane as the trunk front seam 18 and back seam 10 and extends centrally of the buttock portions between the point 30 and the point 10. Thus, the point 10 is the common meeting point of the crotch seam 29, the trunk back seam 10 and the two buttock seams 11-28, the angle of which is bisected by the seam 29. The

' point 19 is the common meeting point of the trunk side seams l219, the groin seams 20-26 and the thigh seams l523. The seams l724 of the calves form regular continuations of the buttock seams 1128.

The arm section 9 shown in Fig. 11 is of well-known form and needs no special de scription; in each arm it is complemented by a similar section. Its upper horizontal line complements the upper portion of the margin 12 or 19 accordingly as the section is arranged at the front or back of the arm and hence in adjacency to the part 5 or the part 7.

The fabric casing constructed as above de scribed is mechanically distended by the filling 31 (Figs. 4 and 5) of cotton or wool. Within the trunk, arms and legs, this filling is packed to a certain desired density, which is higher than the density to which it is packed at the joints. In other words, the filling is left somewhat loose at the joints, 2'. 6., between the shoulder seams and adjacent the groin seams 20-26 whereby the pendant limbs may swing or be bent relatively to the trunk with a certain measure of freedonn Hence, by grasping the doll at its shoulders and with appropriate manipulation in the obvious manner the legs may be made to pursue the normal motions of walking. The doll may also either in a sitting or standing position be arranged in various ways simulative of natural postures. The

' relative looseness of the filling at the joints is suggestively indicated in Figs. 4 and 5, the section of the former being taken through the trunk and one of the legs and of the latter through the trunk and one of the arms.

The head 1 of rigid material is of the known construction adaptable to dolls of the stuffed body type and has its cylindrical neck portion 32 provided with a circumscribing flange 33 which serves for its attachment to the body.

The invention further proposes an improvement in the means of connection be tween the head 4 and the trunk, the details of which are shown in Figs. 6 and 7, in which improvement the extensions 14 and 22 are utilized. These extensions as stitched togather and bent inward to determine the circle of the neck are fitted over the neck portion 32 and secured adjacent the flange 33 by an encircling retaining strip 34: which may be made in one piece or in halves secured at their ends and which has a close or taut fit just above the flange 33. The extensions 14 and 22 are of such depth that they may be turned in under the flange 33 in a common plane and secured together along the circle of their edges by a drawstring 35 or otherwise. As thus arranged and secured the extensions 14 and 22 provide a taut web or diaphragm 36 across the lower end of the hollow neck portion 32 which serves as a physical barrier against the dis placement of the filling material into the hollow head 4, its effectiveness for this purpose being unimpaired by the comparatively small opening at the center where the drawstring 35 is arranged. The web 36 thus maintains the density of the filling material in the trunk and cooperates with the flange 33 to prevent any relative inward displacement of the neck portion 32 in the neck opening of the fabric casing. Apart from these advantages, the connection described is of value in maintaining the head firmly in its intended position relatively to the body, that is to say, in maintaining the alinement of the head and the trunk.

The connection shown in Figs. 6 and 7 may, if desired, be used for associating the rigid forearm and hand elements 37 with the stuffed arms.

Having fully described my invention, I claim 1. In a doll of the type set forth, a fabric casing comprising two sections, each of which embodies half of the back of the trunk and the outer half of a leg, and being stitched together along a vertical line coinciding with the center of the back of the trunk, and two sections, each embodying half of the front of the trunk, and being stitched together along a vertical line coinciding with the center of the front of the trunk and stitched to the trunk portions of the first named sections along vertical lines intermediate said above-mentioned lines of stitching, and two sections, each embodying the inner half of the leg and wingportions arranged for connection to one another along 115 a line coinciding with the crotch and which extends between the lines of the center of the back and front of the trunk and to the adjacent sections of the two respective pairs of sections first named along lines coinciding 120 with the buttocks and the groins, the inner half of the leg being stitched to the companion outer half of the leg along lines which extend from said intermediate vertical lines and along lines which form continua- 125 tions of the lines of the buttocks.

2. In a doll, the combination of a stuifed body member made in sections joined together to delimit an opening, a rigid member fitted in said opening and having a cir- 130 cumscribing flange, said seetions having tabs In testimony whereof I have hereunto set joined together and tnrned in under said my hand in presence of two subscribing Witflange, a retaining strip closely encircling nesses.

said tabs and rigid member adjacent said CHARLOTTE L. GLOSSBRENNER. flange and means associated with the turned Wltnessesz in portions of said tabs for holding them ANNIE H. GLOSSBRENNER,

taut in a common plane under said flange. MARY E. J ESSOP.

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