US20130045659A1

US20130045659A1 - Bobble doll with movable lower body

Info

Publication number: US20130045659A1
Application number: US13/308,592
Authority: US
Inventors: Michael C. Tobias
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-08-18
Filing date: 2011-12-01
Publication date: 2013-02-21

Abstract

A bobble doll device is formed and configured to include a base, a support stanchion, a stationary upper body portion and a movable lower body portion. The support stanchion extends outwardly from the base and supports the upper body portion to remain stationary. An elastic object (such as a spring) is attached to a bottom part of the upper body portion and to an top part of the lower body portion such that the lower body portion is movable in a reciprocating motion in relation to the upper body portion. In a further embodiment, a motion sensor detects motion of the lower body portion and triggers activation of a sound producing device that emits audio from a speaker in the base. In yet a further embodiment, the lower body portion may be caused to move by an actuator located in the base or an actuator in the upper body portion.

Description

This non-provisional patent application is based on provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/524,797 filed on Aug. 18, 2011.

BACKGROUND

Some embodiments may relate to bobble dolls, and more particularly, to a bobble doll that includes at least one upper body and at least one lower, movable body.
Bobble dolls are well known in the art and are popular as novelty items, gifts, and collectibles. Typically, a bobble doll has a head that is movable on a spring element relative to the remainder of the body. The popular bobble dolls are commonly referred to as “bobble heads” or “bobble head dolls.” Bobble head dolls are commonly made to resemble popular professional athletes and celebrities that may include the athletes or celebrities names displayed on a base. In the case of a professional athlete, the bobble head doll may be dressed in a team uniform displaying the athlete's number on a jersey. The head of the doll is made to resemble that of the professional sports star or celebrity and is usually exaggerated in size relative to a remainder of the doll's body. When the head of the bobble head doll is gently tapped, the head shakes or bobbles while a remainder of the doll's body remains stationary.
In light of the popularity of bobble head dolls, there is a desperate need for a bobble doll that is structured to allow other body parts to shake or bobble in a reciprocating motion relative to stationary body parts. In particular, there remains a need for a bobble doll that allows a lower body portion of the doll, particularly the legs and feet, to shake in a reciprocating motion (i.e., up and down and/or side to side) while the upper body portion (i.e. above the belt-line) remains stationary. There is a further need for a bobble doll that provides for activation of a sound producing device that emits music and/or other audio from a speaker upon detecting reciprocating motion of the lower body portion (i.e. legs and feet) of the doll. There is yet a further need for a bobble doll that provides a system for activation of a reciprocating motion of the lower body portion that is controllable by a switch.
While certain aspects of conventional technologies have been discussed and presented to facilitate disclosure of some embodiments, Applicant in no way disclaims these technical aspects, and it is contemplated that the attached claims may encompass one or more of the conventional technical aspects discussed herein.
In this specification where a document, act or item of knowledge is referred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not an admission that the document, act or item of knowledge or any combination thereof was at the priority date, publicly available, known to the public, part of common general knowledge, or otherwise constitutes prior art under the applicable statutory provisions; or is it known to be relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which this specification is concerned.

SUMMARY

Some embodiments may address one or more of the problems and deficiencies discussed above. However, it is contemplated that some embodiments may prove useful in addressing other problems and deficiencies in a number of technical areas. Therefore the claims should not necessarily be construed as limited to addressing any of the particular problems or deficiencies discussed herein.
Some embodiments may include a bobble doll device comprising a base, a support stanchion, an upper body portion and a movable lower body portion. The upper body portion is connected to the support stanchion, and the support stanchion is further connected to the base. The upper body portion, support stanchion, and base may be molded together as a single piece or they may be molded separately and then fixedly attached and/or mounted to each other. A bottom part of the upper body portion has a well therein having an interior surface to which a first distal end of one or more elastic objects (e.g. springs) connect. A second, opposite distal end of the elastic object connects to an top part of the movable lower body portion such that the top part of the lower body portion is positioned within the well and that the lower body portion is movable in a reciprocating up-and-down and/or side-to-side motion with respect to the upper body portion. The support stanchion and the base may be designed and decorated to adhere to a specific style or theme relating to the body portions, such as a basketball court and basketball goal for a basketball player, or a stage and microphone stand for a singer. In a further embodiment, a motion sensor detects motion of the lower body portion and triggers activation of a sound producing device that emits audio from a speaker in the base. The sound producing device may be battery powered or electrically powered using an AC plug and socket. In yet a further embodiment, a magnet housed within a track within the base is connected to the arm of an actuator that is powered by a battery source, wherein the magnet may be put into reciprocating motion within the track by the actuator when the actuator is energized, and further wherein magnets of an opposite polarity of that of the magnet within the track are held within the lower body portion and that therefore cause the lower body portion to be attracted to the magnet within the base such that when the magnet within the base is put into reciprocating motion, the lower body portion will similarly be put into reciprocating motion. In yet a further embodiment, an actuator housed within the upper body portion connected to the lower body portion and is energized by a battery source and a switch within the base, and further wherein the motion of the actuator causes the lower body portion to move in relation to the upper body portion in up-and-down and/or side-to-side reciprocating motion (i.e. to shake or bounce).
An advantage provided by some embodiments may be that a bobble doll may have a movable lower body and may adhere to a particular theme or design, especially one in which it would make sense to have a movable lower body. Other advantages may be provided by these embodiments, and some embodiments may provide other advantages instead of or in addition to this advantage.
These and other advantages of some embodiments are more readily apparent with reference to the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature of some embodiments, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the bobble doll in accordance with an embodiment, wherein the lower body portion is movably supported on an elastic object (not shown), thereby allowing the lower body portion to shake or bounce in a reciprocating motion relative to the upper body portion of the doll, and further wherein the upper portion of the doll is molded to include a support stanchion and a base or, alternatively, mounted to a support stanchion which is then mounted to a base.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective enlarged view of the bobble doll of the embodiment of FIG. 1, and wherein the bottom part of the upper body portion of the doll is shown in cross section to illustrate the elastic object (e.g. spring) attached to an interior surface of a well within the bottom part and connecting to a top surface of a top part of the movable lower body portion, and illustrating the reciprocating movement of the lower body portion.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective isolated exploded and enlarged view of the bobble doll in accordance with an embodiment, wherein a plurality of elastic objects (e.g. springs) are used instead of only one elastic object, and wherein the specific features to which the elastic objects attach to on the upper and lower body portions are more visible and more clearly illustrated.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view in partial cross section of the bobble doll in accordance with an embodiment in which the upper body portion, the support stanchion, and the base are molded as three, separate pieces and are fixedly attached to each other using screw threads in a manner as indicated by arrows in the drawing.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational isolated view of the base, part of the lower body portion and part of the support stanchion of the bobble doll in accordance with a variety of embodiments described herein, wherein the separation between the lower body portion and the base is emphasized and specifically shown.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view in partial cross-section of the bobble doll in accordance with yet a further embodiment, wherein the bobble doll has a motion sensor in the upper body portion that is wired to circuitry in the base that is powered by a battery source.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view in partial cross-section of the bobble doll in accordance with yet a further embodiment, and wherein a motion sensor on the top surface of the base is wired to circuitry in the base that is powered by a battery source.

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view in partial cross-section of the bobble doll in accordance with yet a further embodiment, wherein a motion sensor on the top surface of the base is wired to circuitry in the base that is powered by an AC power supply.

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view in partial cross section of the bobble doll in accordance with yet a further embodiment, wherein a magnet is housed within a track within the base and is moved in reciprocation by an actuator housed within the base, and further wherein magnets in the lower body portion being of opposite polarity of the magnet in the base cause the lower body portion to be attracted to the magnet in the base and therefore cause the lower body portion to move in reciprocation when the actuator is energized.

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view in partial cross section of the bobble doll in accordance with yet a further embodiment, wherein an actuator is housed within the upper body portion of the bobble doll and is connected to a switch and a battery source housed within the base through wiring that passes through the upper body portion, the support stanchion and into the base, and further wherein the energizing of the actuator causes an actuator arm connected to the lower body portion to cause the lower body portion to move in reciprocation as shown by arrows in the figure.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

The term “some” as used herein is defined as “none, or one, or more than one, or all.” Accordingly, the terms “none,” “one,” “more than one,” “more than one, but not all” or “all” would all fall under the definition of “some.” The term “some embodiments” may refer to no embodiments or to one embodiment or to several embodiments or to all embodiments. Accordingly, the term “some embodiments” is defined as meaning “no embodiment, or one embodiment, or more than one embodiment, or all embodiments.”
The terminology and structure employed herein is for describing, teaching and illuminating some embodiments and their specific features and elements and do not limit, restrict or reduce the spirit and scope of the claims or their equivalents.
More specifically, any terms used herein such as but not limited to “includes,” “comprises,” “has,” “consists,” and grammatical variants thereof do NOT specify an exact limitation or restriction and certainly do NOT exclude the possible addition of one or more features or elements, unless otherwise stated, and furthermore must NOT be taken to exclude the possible removal of one or more of the listed features and elements, unless otherwise stated with the limiting language “MUST comprise” or “NEEDS TO include.”
All references herein to any features or elements of some embodiments such as but not limited to “a,” “an,” “one,” “an additional,” “another,” or “the” feature or element, or grammatical variations thereof, unless otherwise specified by limiting language such as “ONLY ONE . . . ” wherein an exact number is specified along with the world “ONLY” or “LIMITED TO”, do NOT specifically prevent the inclusion or implementation of more than one of those features or elements, nor do they specifically admit that one or more of those features or elements must be used, unless otherwise specified by the limiting language “MUST have a” or “NEEDS to include one.”
All references herein including language such as but not limited to “one or more,” “at least one,” or grammatical variants thereof are nonlimiting and may be taken to mean that none of a certain feature or element may be used, or alternatively that only a singular feature or element may be used, or alternatively that only a plurality of elements or features may be used, or alternatively that either a singular or a plurality of features or elements may be used, or alternatively that none or one or more than one features or elements may be used. The use of this terminology herein does NOT specifically admit that more than one feature or element has to be used, nor does it specifically admit that only one feature or element has to be used, unless otherwise specified by the limiting language “MUST BE MORE THAN” or “CANNOT BE MORE THAN.” Therefore, whether or not a certain feature or element were limited to being used only once, either way it may still be referred to as “one or more features” or one or more elements” or “at least one feature” or “at least one element.” Furthermore, the use of the terms “one or more” or “at least one” feature or element do NOT preclude there being none of that feature or element, unless otherwise specified by limiting language such as “there NEEDS to be one or more . . . ” or “one or more element is REQUIRED.”
Unless otherwise defined, all terms, and especially any technical and/or scientific terms, used herein may be taken to have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having an ordinary skill in the art.
Reference is made herein to some “embodiments.” It should be understood that an embodiment is an example of a possible implementation of any features and/or elements presented in the attached claims. Some embodiments have been described for the purpose of illuminating one or more of the potential ways in which the specific features and/or elements of the attached claims fulfill the requirements of uniqueness, utility and non-obviousness.
Use of the phrases and/or terms such as but not limited to “a first embodiment,” “a further embodiment,” “an alternate embodiment,” “one embodiment,” ““an embodiment,” “multiple embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “other embodiments,” or variants thereof do NOT necessarily refer to the same embodiments. For example, language such as “some embodiments include a feature” followed by “some embodiments include an element” does NOT necessarily admit that both of the feature and the element are included in all of the same embodiments.
Unless otherwise specified, one or more particular features and/or elements described in connection with one or more embodiments may be found in one embodiment, or may be found in more than one embodiment, or may be found in all embodiments, or may be found in no embodiments.
Although one or more features and/or elements may be described herein in the context of only a single embodiment, or alternatively in the context of more than one embodiment, or further alternatively in the context of all embodiments, the features and/or elements may instead be provided separately or in any appropriate combination or not at all. Conversely, any features and/or elements described in the context of separate embodiments may alternatively be realized as existing together in the context of a single embodiment.
Any and all details set forth herein are used in the context of some embodiments and therefore should NOT be necessarily taken as limiting factors to the attached claims. Any descriptions of elements and/or features and/or the materials used to create those elements or features, or examples or methods included in the descriptions of the various embodiments are nonlimiting and are given as an illustration only. Accordingly, the embodiments can be manufactured, distributed, used, practiced, and carried out in numerous ways.
The attached claims and their legal equivalents can be realized in the context of embodiments other than the ones used as illustrative examples in the description herein.
Referring to the several views of the drawings, the bobble doll device is shown in accordance with some embodiments. In each of these embodiments, the bobble doll device is generally indicated as 10.
Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a first embodiment is shown wherein the bobble doll device 10 includes a base 20 having a top surface 22, a bottom surface 24, and at least one side surface 26. It is fully anticipated that the base 20 may be figured and conformed as a variety of shapes, including but not limited to a square, a rectangle, in which case there would be a plurality of side surfaces 26 or a circle, in which case there would be only one side surface 26. A support stanchion 30 has a bottom part 32 having a bottom surface 34 that preferrably connects to the top surface 22 of the base 20, although it may be alternatively possible in alternate embodiments for the bottom surface 34 to connect to a side surface 26 or a bottom surface 24 of the base 20. The bobble doll device 10 further includes at least one upper body portion 40 which is preferrably formed and configured to resemble a figure or character, whether real or fictional, human or otherwise, that connects to the support stanchion 30. The upper body portion 40 has a bottom part 42 with a well 44 located therein. The well 44 includes an interior surface 46 therein. The base 20, support stanchion 30 and the upper body portion 40 may be molded as three separate pieces and then glued together or otherwise fixedly attached to each other. Alternatively, the base 20, support stanchion 30 and the upper body portion 40 may be molded as a single piece. The bobble doll device 10 still further includes at least one movable lower body portion 50. The movable lower body portion 50 has a top part 52 having a top surface 54. One or more elastic objects 60 (e.g. a spring or springs) connect the upper body portion 40 to the lower body portion 50 wherein a first distal end 62 of the one or more elastic objects 60 adheres to the interior surface 46 of the well 44 of the bottom part 42 of the upper body portion 40, and a second, opposite distal end 64 adheres to the top surface 54 of the top part 52 of the lower body portion 50 such that the top part 52 is positioned within the well 44 and that the lower body portion 50 is movable in a reciprocating up-and-down and/or side-to-side motion with respect to the upper body portion 40. Reciprocating movability is possible due to the elastic nature of the one or more elastic objects 60 such that when the elastic objects 60 are deformed when the lower body portion 50 is moved in relation to the upper body portion 40, the elastic objects 60 undergo an elastic deformation in which, after being deformed, they will apply a force and return to their original state. As such, when the lower body portion 50 is moved to the side in relation to the upper body portion 40, it will then move back-and-forth side-to-side in a seemingly-oscillatory manner, similar to a pendulum, and will slowly return to its original position. Arrows A2 illustrate the reciprocating side-to-side movement of the lower body portion 50.
Referring to FIG. 3, a further embodiment of the bobble doll device 10 is shown wherein it has been illustrated that multiple elastic objects 60 (e.g. springs) may be used to secure the upper body portion 40 to the lower body portion 50 instead of only a single elastic object 60 (as previously illustrated in FIG. 2). Arrows A3 illustrate the direction and place of connection between the distal ends 62,64 and the surfaces 46,54 with which they respectively connect to.
Referring to FIG. 4, a further embodiment of the bobble doll device 10 is shown wherein the base 20, the support stanchion 30, and the upper body portion 40 are molded as three separate pieces. In this embodiment, the base 20 includes an interior female screw thread 28 having an opening in contact with the top surface 22, and the support stanchion 30 includes a bottom exterior male screw thread 36 extending down and outwardly from the bottom surface 34 of the bottom part 32. The support stanchion 30 further includes a top exterior male screw thread 38 extending up and outwardly and the upper body portion includes an interior female screw thread 48. As will be generally known to anyone having an ordinary skill in the art of the embodiments, the support stanchion 30 is fixedly attached to the base 20 by inserting the bottom exterior male screw thread 36 of the support stanchion 30 into the interior female screw thread 28 of the base 20 and then twisting the support stanchion 30 clockwise (facing down) while pressing down. Similarly, the upper body portion 40 is fixedly attached to the support stanchion 30 by placing the interior female screw thread 48 directly over the top external male screw thread 38 and then pressing the upper body portion 40 down and rotating it clockwise. The pressing down has been illustrated in the drawing by arrows A4 and the clockwise rotating has been illustrated in the drawing as B4.
Referring to FIG. 5, it is fully illustrated and emphasized that the lower body portion 50 remains separated from the top surface 22 of the base 20 as shown by the spacing arrow A5.
Referring to FIG. 6, a further embodiment is shown wherein a motion sensor 70 may be fitted to the interior of the upper body portion 40, such as, but not limited to on the interior surface 46 of well 44 (as seen in FIG. 2 and in FIG. 3). The motion sensor 70 is wired through the upper body portion 40 and the support stanchion 30 into the base 20 and attaches to circuitry within the base 20 that includes a sound producing device 72. The circuitry, including the sound producing device 72 and the motion sensor 70 are powered by a battery source 74 contained within the base 20. A switch 76 on the base is operable between an ON and OFF position, as shown by arrow B6, to energize and de-energize the sound producing device 72. While energized, the motion sensor 70 detects reciprocating motion of the movable lower body portion 50 that triggers activation of the sound producing device 72. A speaker 78 connected to the sound producing device 72 emits audio, such as music or other sound, for a preset length of time (e.g. 15 seconds). The audio may, in some embodiments, correspond to and complement the theme of the embodiments, such as, but not limited to music being played with an Elvis bobble doll, or stadium applause being played with a basketball player bobble doll, etc.
Referring to FIG. 7, a further embodiment is shown wherein the motion sensor 70 is instead located within the top surface 22 of the base 20. The motion sensor 70 attaches to circuitry within the base 20 that includes a sound producing device 72. The circuitry, including the sound producing device 72 and the motion sensor 70 are powered by a battery source 74 contained within the base 20. A switch 76 on the base 20 is operable between an ON and OFF position to energize and de-energize the sound producing device 72. While energized, the motion sensor 70 detects reciprocating motion of the movable lower body portion 50 that triggers activation of the sound producing device 72. A speaker 78 connected to the sound producing device 72 emits audio, such as music or other sound, for a preset length of time (e.g. 15 seconds). The audio may, in some embodiments, correspond to and complement the theme of the embodiments, such as, but not limited to music being played with an Elvis bobble doll, or stadium applause being played with a basketball player bobble doll, etc.
In the embodiments described and displayed in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the battery source 74 is preferrably located adjacent to a lower surface 24 of the base 20 whereon a battery door 75 allows access to the interior of the battery source 74 (e.g. for changing out batteries).
Referring to FIG. 8, a further embodiment is shown wherein the energy-dependent components shown above in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 may be energized by an alternating current (AC) power supply through a male AC power plug 80 and a corresponding female AC power socket 82 instead of a battery source 74 (as shown previously in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7). A transformer 84 is included within the base 20, thereby replacing the battery source 74, which receives the AC power cord 86. The circuitry, including the sound producing device 72 and the motion sensor 70 are powered by the transformer 84. In this embodiment, the transformer 84 is preferrably located adjacent to a side surface 26 through which the AC power cord 86 passes.
Referring to FIG. 9, a further embodiment is shown wherein a magnet 90 is housed within a track 92 within the base 20 of the bobble doll device 10. The track 92 may be elongated for reciprocating linear motion or it may alternatively be circular for circular motion. The magnet 90 is attached to the actuator arm 94 of an actuator 96 (e.g. an electric motor, a linear actuator, etc.). The specific type of actuator 96 chosen may depend on the desired type of motion (e.g. a linear actuator for linear motion, an electric motor for circular motion, etc.). The actuator 96 is powered by a battery source 74 contained within the base 20. The battery source 74 is preferrably located adjacent to a lower surface 24 of the base 20 whereon a battery door 75 allows access to the interior of the battery source 74 (e.g. for changing out batteries). A switch 76 on the base 20 is operable between an ON and OFF position to energize and de-energize the actuator 96. While energized, the actuator 96 pushes and/or pulls the magnet 90 through reciprocating motions (e.g. side-to-side, around in circles, etc.) within the track 92 as seen by arrow A9. The lower body portion 50 includes one or more magnets 98. Magnets 98 are of an opposite polarity of the magnet 90 and are therefore attracted towards magnet 90. Accordingly, when the actuator 96 is energized using the switch 76, the magnet 90 goes into motion which in turn causes the magnets 98 to move the lower body portion 50 (as seen in arrows B9), because the magnets 98 follow the motion of the magnet 90. It is fully anticipated and contemplated within the spirit and scope of the claims that the activated, magnetized movement of the lower body portion 50 as shown in this embodiment may be combined with the A/C power option as shown in FIG. 8 and/or with the sound producing and audio-emitting speaker options as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7.
Referring to FIG. 10, a further embodiment of the bobble doll device 10 is shown in which an actuator 100, such as an electric motor or a linear actuator, is connected to the upper body portion 40, such as within the interior surface 46. The actuator 100 includes an actuator arm 110 which is connected to the movable lower body portion 50, such as within the top surface 54. The specific type of actuator 100 chosen may depend on the desired type of motion (e.g. a linear actuator for linear motion, an electric motor for circular motion, etc.). The actuator 100 is powered by a battery source 74 contained within the base 20. The battery source 74 is preferrably located adjacent to a lower surface 24 of the base 20 whereon a battery door 75 allows access to the interior of the battery source 74 (e.g. for changing out batteries). A switch 76 on the base 20 is operable between an ON and OFF position to energize and de-energize the actuator 100. While energized, the actuator 100 moves the actuator arm 110 in reciprocating motions (e.g. side-to-side, around in circles, etc.) as shown by arrow A10 which causes the movable lower body portion 50 to move in relation to the upper body portion 40 in reciprocating motions (e.g. side-to-side, around in circles, etc.) as shown by arrows B10. It is fully anticipated and contemplated within the spirit and scope of the claims that the motorized movement of the lower body portion 50 as shown in this embodiment may be combined with the A/C power option as shown in FIG. 8 and/or with the sound producing and audio-emitting speaker options as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 and/or with any other features or elements explained or taught herein or that can be envisioned by a person having an ordinary skill in the art of the embodiments.
In the several views of the drawings, the support stanchion 30 has been shown to bare the resemblance of a microphone stand or a basketball goal. These illustrations are only given as examples and should not in any way be considered as limiting factors on the potential design of the support stanchion 30. Accordingly, it is fully anticipated within the spirit and scope of the claims that the support stanchion 30 may be formed and configured to any desired size, shape, design, color, pattern, or combination thereof. Moreover, the support stanchion 30 may be formed and configured to adhere to a particular theme, as illustrated in the several views of the drawings, wherein nonlimiting examples of the themes may include a musical concert or a basketball game. It is particularly envisioned within the spirit and scope of the claims that the features of the support stanchion 30 will be formed and configured to correspond to the upper body portion 40 and the lower body portion 50 in a complementary fashion (e.g. Elvis holding on to a microphone stand, a basketball player holding on to a basketball hoop, etc.)
In the several views of the drawings, the base 20 has been shown as a rectangular platform for simplicity; however it is fully anticipated within the spirit and scope of the claims that the base 20 may be formed and configured to any desired size, shape, design, color, pattern, or combination thereof. Nonlimiting examples of shapes include circles, ovals, squares, and rectangles. Moreover, the base 20 may be formed and configured to adhere to a particular theme, nonlimiting examples of which may include a beach, sports field, dance floor, urban setting or other environment. It is particularly envisioned within the spirit and scope of the claims that the features of the base 20 will be formed and configured to correspond to the upper body portion 40 and lower body portion 50 in a complementary fashion (e.g. an Elvis Presley figure over a stage, a basketball player over a basketball court, etc.).
Throughout the detailed description and the accompanying several views of the drawings enclosed herein, a plurality of embodiments have been shown, described and detailed, wherein a variety of possible features may be formed and configured in different ways, such as the ability for a bobble doll device to include a motion sensor or to include a magnet attached to a motor within the base. Accordingly, it is herein acknowledged that any and all possible combinations of these various embodiments, such as using a bobble doll device with a magnet attached to a motor within the base and with a motion sensor within the upper body portion, may be desirable to manufacturers and/or may help to more successfully meet customers' specific needs and/or preferences. Consequently, any and all possible combinations of the features or elements of one embodiment or more than one embodiment or all embodiments mentioned herein are fully considered within the spirit and scope of the attached claims and their legal equivalents.
Thus, some embodiments of a bobble doll device have been disclosed. Other embodiments are contemplated and envisioned, and therefore it is recognized that departures from the embodiments described in this disclosure may certainly exist within the spirit and scope of the attached claims and their legal equivalents. Those having an ordinary skill in the will envision other possible variations and modifications to features and/or elements of the embodiments, and they will envision other possible embodiments, all of which may fall within the spirit and scope of the attached claims. The spirit and scope of the attached claims is therefore NOT limited by the descriptions and illuminations of the embodiments that have already been presented, but rather the spirit and scope can only be defined by the attached claims and their legal equivalents as interpreted under the doctrine of equivalents. Variations, alternatives, adjustments, modifications, tunings, and deviations from the embodiments of the instant disclosure are fully contemplated and envisioned within the spirit and scope of the attached claims.

Claims

1. A bobble doll device comprising:

a base;

a support stanchion connected to the base;

at least one upper body portion connected to the support stanchion;

at least one lower body portion; and

at least one elastic object connected to both the upper body portion and the lower body portion, the at least one elastic object making the lower body portion movable in relation to the upper body portion;

2. The bobble doll device as recited in claim 1 wherein the base further comprises:

a top surface;

a bottom surface; and

at least one side surface;

3. The bobble doll device as recited in claim 2 wherein the support stanchion further comprises:

a bottom part having a bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface connects to one of the surfaces of the base.

4. The bobble doll device as recited in claim 3 wherein the bottom surface of the support stanchion connects to the top surface of the base.

5. The bobble doll device as recited in claim 4 wherein the upper body portion further comprises:

a bottom part having a well therein, the well having an interior surface therein.

6. The bobble doll device as recited in claim 5 wherein the lower body portion comprises:

a top part having a top surface.

7. The bobble doll device as recited in claim 6 wherein the at least one elastic object further comprises:

a first distal end that connects to the interior surface of the well of the bottom part of the upper body portion;

a second distal end opposite of the first distal end, wherein the second distal end connects to the top surface of the top part of the lower body portion;

wherein the top part of the lower body portion is positioned within the well of the bottom part of the upper body portion; and

wherein the lower body portion is movable in a reciprocating up-and-down and/or side-to-side motion with respect to the upper body portion.

8. The bobble doll device as recited in claim 7 wherein the lower body portion is configured to always remain spaced apart from the top surface of the base while the lower body portion is at rest and while the lower body portion is in motion.

9. The bobble doll device as recited in claim 8 wherein at least one of the connection between the base and the support stanchion and the connection between the support stanchion and the upper body portion is achieved through the inclusion and use of screw threads.

10. The bobble doll device as recited in claim 8 further comprising:

a motion sensor;

a sound producing device;

at least one speaker;

at least one power source; and

a switch.

11. The bobble doll device as recited in claim 10 wherein:

the motion sensor is housed within the upper body portion and detects motion of the lower body relative to the upper body portion;

wherein the sound producing device is housed within the base and communicated with the motion sensor, such that the activation of the sound producing device is triggered upon the motion sensor detecting the motion of the lower body portion relative to the upper body portion;

wherein the at least one speaker is housed within the base and is connected to the sound producing device, the at least one speaker being adapted for emitting sound upon activation of the sound producing device;

wherein the at least one power source is a battery source housed within the base, the battery source providing power for energizing the motion sensor and the sound producing device; and

wherein the switch is located on a surface of the base and is operable between ON and OFF positions, the ON position energizing the sound producing device, and the OFF position de-energizing the sound producing device.

12. The bobble doll device as recited in claim 11 wherein the motion sensor is instead located along the top surface of the base and detects motion of the lower body portion relative to the base.

13. The bobble doll device as recited in claim 12 wherein the battery source is replaced by an alternating current power supply that is capable of providing power by plugging a male power plug into a female power socket.

14. The bobble doll device as recited in claim 8 wherein:

the base further comprises:

a magnet housed within a track;

an actuator having an actuator arm, wherein the actuator arm is attached to the magnet in order to move the magnet in a reciprocating motion within the track;

a battery source housed within the base, the battery source providing power for energizing the actuator;

a switch located on a surface of the base that is operable between ON and OFF positions, the ON position energizing the actuator, and the OFF position de-energizing the actuator; and

wherein the lower body portion further comprises:

one or more magnets having an opposite polarity of the magnet within the base, such that the one or more magnets in the lower body portion are magnetically attracted to the magnet within the base.

15. The bobble doll device as recited in claim 14 wherein the energizing of the actuator causes the actuator to move the actuator arm, thereby causing the motion of the magnet within the track within the base, and wherein the motion of the magnet within the track causes the simultaneous and mirrored movement of the one or more magnets within the lower body portion, thereby causing the motion of the lower body portion.

16. The bobble doll device as recited in claim 8 further comprising:

an actuator having an actuator arm, wherein the actuator is housed within the upper body portion, and wherein the actuator arm is connected to the lower body portion such that the motion of the actuator arm causes the motion of the lower body portion relative to the upper body portion;

a battery source housed within the base, the battery source connecting to and providing power for energizing the actuator; and

a switch located on a surface of the base that is operable between ON and OFF positions, the ON position energizing the actuator, and the OFF position de-energizing the actuator.

17. The bobble doll device as recited in claim 16 wherein the energizing of the actuator causes the actuator to move the actuator arm, and wherein the motion of the actuator arm causes the lower body portion to move in reciprocating motions.

18. The bobble doll device as recited in claim 8 wherein the base, the support stanchion, and the upper body portion are molded as three separate pieces and then fixedly attached to each other.

19. The bobble doll device as recited in claim 8 wherein the base, the support stanchion, and the upper body portion are molded together as a single piece.