US20120208428A1

US20120208428A1 - Doll having replaceable heads with multiple faces

Info

Publication number: US20120208428A1
Application number: US12/932,081
Authority: US
Inventors: Yu Zheng
Original assignee: Patent Category Corp
Current assignee: Patent Category Corp
Priority date: 2011-02-16
Filing date: 2011-02-16
Publication date: 2012-08-16

Abstract

A doll assembly has a torso having a neck, at least one arm, and at least one leg. The doll assembly also has at least one head having a plurality of faces on different sides of the head, each face having one nose, one mouth, a pair of eyes and a pair of ears, the head further having a first connector at a bottom portion thereof that removably connects the neck, and a second connector at a top portion thereof. The doll assembly further includes at least one wig having a wig connector that removably connects the second connector to secure the wig to the top portion of the head.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to dolls and action figures, and in particular, to dolls having removable and replaceable heads, with each head having two separate faces.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Dolls and action figures have always been popular among boys and girls. Many girls have multiple dolls because they enjoy having different dolls with different characters. They may have a happy doll for certain situations, an action doll for other situations, and a sophisticated/dressy doll. Children will also dress up their dolls and action figures with different outfits, or (for dolls) change the hairstyle. Such variety and change is the essence of the fun and amusement that is derived from playing with dolls and action figures.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

It is one objective of the present invention to provide a doll assembly that has increased variety of play and amusement.
To accomplish the objectives set forth above, the present invention provides a doll assembly having a torso having a neck, at least one arm, and at least one leg. The doll assembly also has at least one head having a plurality of faces on different sides of the head, each face having one nose, one mouth, a pair of eyes and a pair of ears, the head further having a first connector at a bottom portion thereof that removably connects the neck, and a second connector at a top portion thereof. The doll assembly further includes at least one wig having a wig connector that removably connects the second connector to secure the wig to the top portion of the head.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a side plan view of a doll according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a side plan view of the doll of FIG. 1A shown wearing a wig.

FIG. 1C is a side plan view of the doll of FIG. 1A showing the other side of the doll.

FIG. 1D is a side plan view of the doll of FIG. 1C shown wearing a wig.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the head of the doll of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing how the head of the doll of FIG. 1A can be removably secured to the torso of the doll.

FIGS. 4A-4D illustrate how the doll of the present invention and its accessories can be used.

FIGS. 5A-5D illustrate four different faces that can be used for the doll head of the present invention.

FIGS. 6A-6D illustrate four different wigs that can be used with the doll head of the present invention.

FIG. 7A is a side plan view of a doll head according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7B is a top plan view of the doll head of FIG. 7A.

FIGS. 8A-8C are three different side plan views of a doll head according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8D is a top plan view of the doll head of FIGS. 8A-8C.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed description is of the best presently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating general principles of embodiments of the invention. The scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
The present invention provides a doll assembly that allows the head to be removed and replaced by a different head. Each head is provided with two separate faces on opposite sides of the head so that the doll can assume two different identities or characters when the head is attached to the torso of the doll. In addition, a variety of different wigs can be removably secured to the top of each head to provide increased variety of play.
Referring to FIGS. 1A-1D, the doll 10 has a torso 12 which includes arms 14 and legs 16, as with any conventional doll. The arms 14 and legs 16 can be provided with appendages so that the arms 14 and legs 16 can be pivoted and moved. A head 18 can be removably secured to the neck 20 of the torso 12 in the manner shown in FIG. 3.
Referring also to FIGS. 2 and 3, each head 18 has two faces 22 a, 22 b on opposite sides thereof. The two faces 22 a and 22 b are different, and in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A, the face 22 a can be an ordinary and conventional face, while the other face 22 b can be mysterious face. Therefore, a doll that has such a head 18 can be portrayed with having two different personalities. As shown in FIG. 1A, each head 18 has two pairs of eyes (one pair for each face), two pairs of ears (one pair for each face), two noses (one for each face), and two mouths (one for each face). An opening 24 is provided at the top of the head 18 for receiving a pin 26 from a replaceable wig 28. Another opening 30 is provided at the bottom of the head 18 for receiving a winged locking pin 32 that extends from the top of the neck 20 of the torso 12.
Referring now to FIGS. 1A-1D, 2, 3 and 4A-4D, the child can select any desired doll head 18, and then install the doll head 18 to the torso 12 by inserting the winged locking pin 32 through the opening 30. Thus, the opening 30 and the neck 20 (i.e., via the locking pin 32) function as connectors. Since the locking pin 32 is winged, the winged portions 34 can be flexed so as to allow the locking pin 32 to be inserted through the opening 30, with the winged portions 34 maintaining the doll head 18 at the neck 20 (see FIGS. 3 and 4A). Once the head 18 has been installed at the neck 20, the child can decide which face to feature by turning the head 18 around the neck 20 so that the selected face faces the front (see FIG. 4B). The child can then select the desired wig 28, and insert the pin 26 through the opening 24 to secure the wig 28 in a snap-fit connection at the top of the head 18 (see FIGS. 2 and 4C). Thus, the opening 24 and the pin 26 function as connectors. The wig 28 can rotated (if desired), or removed later to be replaced by a different wig 28. The child can also rotate the head 18 to select the other face, then rotate the wig 28 as needed, to change the face and/or the wig 28 being used. See FIGS. 1C, 1D and 4D.
A plurality of different heads 18 can be provided for use with a single torso 12. FIGS. 5A-5D illustrate four different faces. The faces shown in FIGS. 5A and 5D correspond to the two faces provided on the head 18 shown in FIGS. 1A-1D and 2-3, while the faces shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C can be the two faces provided on a different head 18.
Similarly, a plurality of different wigs 28 can be provided for use with the heads 18. FIGS. 6A-6D illustrate four different wigs that can be used with faces in FIGS. 5A-5D.
The head 18 can be provided with more than two faces. For example, FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate a doll head 18 x having four separate and different faces 22 c, 22 d, 22 e and 22 f. Each face 22 c, 22 d, 22 e and 22 f has two pairs of eyes (one pair for each face), two pairs of ears (one pair for each face), four noses (one for each face), and four mouths (one for each face).
Similarly, FIGS. 8A-8D illustrate a doll head 18 y having three separate and different faces 22 g, 22 h and 22 i. Each face 22 g, 22 h and 22 i has two pairs of eyes (one pair for each face), two pairs of ears (one pair for each face), three noses (one for each face), and three mouths (one for each face).
Thus, the present invention provides a doll assembly that allows the user to change the face of a doll so that the doll can assume different personalities and/or identities. In addition, by allowing different wigs to be removably coupled to the head(s), the user can accompany the change in personality and/or identity of the doll by an appropriate change in the hair color and style.
While the description above refers to particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. The accompanying claims are intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. A doll assembly, comprising:

a torso having a neck, at least one arm, and at least one leg;

a head having a plurality of faces on different sides of the head, each face having one nose, one mouth, a pair of eyes and a pair of ears, the head further having a first connector at a bottom portion thereof that removably connects the neck, and a second connector at a top portion thereof; and

a wig having a wig connector that removably connects the second connector to secure the wig to the top portion of the head.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the head is a first head, and further including a second head having a plurality of faces on different sides of the second head, each face on the second head having one nose, one mouth, a pair of eyes and a pair of ears, and wherein the faces on the second head are different from the faces on the first head.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the wig is a first wig, and further including a second wig having a wig connector that removably connects the second connector to secure the second wig to the top portion of the head, with the second wig being different from the first wig.

4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first connector is a first opening that receives the neck, the second connector is a second opening, and the wig connector is a pin that is inserted into the second opening.

5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the head has two faces.

6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the head has three faces.

7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the head has four faces.

8. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the first head has two faces and the second head has three faces.

9. A method of playing with a doll, comprising:

providing a doll assembly, comprising:

a torso having a neck, at least one arm, and at least one leg;

a first head having a plurality of faces on different sides of the first head, each face having one nose, one mouth, a pair of eyes and a pair of ears, the first head further having a first connector at a bottom portion thereof, and a second connector at a top portion thereof; and

a second head having a plurality of faces on different sides of the second head, each face having one nose, one mouth, a pair of eyes and a pair of ears, the second head further having a third connector at a bottom portion thereof, and a fourth connector at a top portion thereof;

securing the first connector of the first head to the neck of the torso;

removing the first head from the neck of the torso; and

securing the third connector of the second head to the neck of the torso.

10. The method of claim 9, further including:

providing a first wig having a first wig connector;

providing a second wig having a second wig connector;

connecting the first wig connector of the first wig to the second connector of the first head to secure the first wig to the top portion of the first head;

removing the first wig; and

connecting the second wig connector of the second wig to the second connector of the first head to secure the second wig to the top portion of the first head.

11. The method of claim 9, further including:

providing the first head with two faces and the second head with two faces.

12. The method of claim 9, further including:

providing the first head with two faces and the second head with three faces.

13. The method of claim 9, further including:

providing the first head with three faces and the second head with three faces.

14. The method of claim 9, further including:

providing the first head with two faces and the second head with four faces.