US20130157539A1 - Marionette - Google Patents
Marionette Download PDFInfo
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- US20130157539A1 US20130157539A1 US13/812,237 US201013812237A US2013157539A1 US 20130157539 A1 US20130157539 A1 US 20130157539A1 US 201013812237 A US201013812237 A US 201013812237A US 2013157539 A1 US2013157539 A1 US 2013157539A1
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- segment
- segments
- marionette
- string
- steering
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63J—DEVICES FOR THEATRES, CIRCUSES, OR THE LIKE; CONJURING APPLIANCES OR THE LIKE
- A63J19/00—Puppet, marionette, or shadow shows or theatres
- A63J19/006—Puppets or marionettes therefor
Definitions
- the invention relates to a marionette comprising a figure having a number of segments, wherein at least two segments are connected by means of steering strings with a control device and at least two segments are substantially rigid.
- U.S. Pat. No. 1,901,707 discloses a marionette toy comprising a figure having a shape of the human body consisting of a plurality of molded rigid sections connected with a plurality of strings wherein the segments are threaded on the strings and form spheroid joints.
- U.S. Pat. No. 4,048,749 discloses a hand operated puppet which is operable from overhead puppet strings with the generally articulated figure of a bird.
- a plurality of styrofoam and fabric balls are strung together to form the legs and body with strips of fake fur attached to the body balls, and feathers on the head.
- the segments of the puppet are slidably threaded on a string and connected with hands and a neck which freely collocates along a catenary curve.
- U.S. Pat. No. 4,425,388 discloses a flight simulating mobile device.
- any of a variety of different bird, butterfly or like flying creatures may be fabricated of plastic or like material, readily assembled, and balanced in such manner that when suspended in air current the same provides a realistic replication of a creature in flight.
- the device has a shape of a bird having wings attached via hinges enabling for a rotational movement of each wings in one pivotal axis.
- Figures of prior art marionettes generally comprise rigid segments with articulated limbs, wherein means connecting adjoining segments such as strings or joints are either visible or masked for example by clothes of a marionette.
- limbs of a figure are soft or made of many articulated segments. In general they collocate along a catenary curve and in a direction opposite to the direction of natural genuflection, wherein an appropriate weight is most commonly placed in a rigid foot segment to which a steering string is attached.
- Such solutions provide an aesthetic appearance of a marionette figure and its good movement capabilities they may not accurately reflect the movement of the animal they depict.
- marionettes do not provide sufficient freedom in designing a shape of marionette figure which freedom is strongly restricted by the necessity for providing appropriate movement capabilities of a figure.
- an object of the present invention was to provide a marionette the construction of which would substantially increase the freedom in developing new and original shapes of the figure in comparison with the prior art solutions, wherein such a marionette would also have a relatively simple construction and would be easier to operate.
- a marionette as described in the outset, wherein a connection between at least one active segment, which is connected with the control device by means of the steering string exiting the surface of this segment at the steering point, and an adjacent segment comprises a convex contact surface on one of these segments and a connection means exiting the surfaces of these segments at the connecting points, wherein said connecting points are displaceable with regard to each other, a centroid of said convex contact surface is located below the connecting point of the segment comprising this surface, and in the predefined free overhang position of the figure straight line between the connecting point of said active segment and the steering point of this segment extends above the gravity centre of this segment.
- a “free overhang position” denotes a state of a marionette in which its figure is in a predetermined initial configuration, freely hanged in the air on steering strings with no segments resting on any supporting surface wherein a control device is oriented in its primary, in most cases substantially horizontal, position.
- contact surface is a set of points on the surface of a segment in which the segment contacts the adjacent segment connected therewith for the whole range of possible mutual movements between these segments.
- centroid should be according to the invention understood as a geometric centre of the shape of a contact surface.
- steering point is a point in which a steering string is led out from the volume of a segment or a point in which a steering string is attached to the surface of a segment.
- connection point means a point in which connection means are led out from the volume of a segment or a point in which connection means are attached to the surface of a segment.
- connection means should be understood as any means enabling for connecting adjacent segments in such a manner that their connection points are displaceable with regard to each other, such as string or chain.
- active segment in particular denotes according to the present invention an outermost active segment connected solely with one passive segment.
- a centroid of a contact surface on the other segment of said connection is located below the connecting point of this segment comprising this contact surface.
- connection between two segments of a marionette advantageously comprises a convex contact surface on one of these segments, and a concave contact surface on the other segment of said connection.
- a steering string of at least one active segment exits the surface of this segment at a steering point advantageously located in the surroundings of the vertical axis crossing the gravity centre of this segment.
- one active segment is preferably disposed slidably on a string and in the predefined free overhang position of a figure presses its adjacent segment.
- connection between two segments comprises a distancing element disposed on the connection means between these segments.
- At least one segment preferably comprises two axial channels crossing each other for a string.
- At least one of segments of a figure is/are provided with at least one sound emitting device and/or light emitting device and/or camera to register the surrounding of the figure which is/are advantageously controlled by manipulator.
- a figure of a marionette according to the present invention is advantageously assembled from a set of pieces, and in particular a set of pieces forming a construction puzzle wherein in particular said pieces are advantageously connected by means of a releasable frictional connection.
- a marionette figure includes at least one base segment depicting the body of the figure and at least two side segments adjacent to said base segment and connected with a control device.
- Said side segments may advantageously depict legs of a marionette figure and between said base segment and said side segments a loose part of a string is preferably disposed.
- Side segments of a marionette according to the present invention may also preferably depict wings of a marionette figure, wherein said base segment is connected with said side segment by means of a string in at least two points and said side segment is preferably slidably disposed on this string.
- the solution according to the present invention minimizes friction forces generated in joint connections between particular segments of a marionette figure.
- segments always form the same predefined by a designer figure of a marionette, i.e. segments are self-aligned into a predefined overhang position by gravitational force.
- active segments may be dislocated from the aligned predefined overhang position (constituting de facto an arrangement of unstable equilibrium) by applying very small forces acting on steering strings.
- Structure of a connection according to the present invention enables for covering up the area of a joint between adjacent segments thereby making it invisible from the outside and making an impression of integrity of the shape of a marionette figure formed by a number of separate segments.
- a marionette according to the present invention figure segments are connected forming higher kinematic pairs.
- a marionette according to the present invention provides for a designer considerably greater degree of freedom in developing new and original shapes of its figure in comparison with prior art solutions.
- a solution of the present invention features superb motional properties making their movements very natural and truly imitative for real movements even when being steered with a use of a simple ordinary control device handled by a child, which a marionette is primarily designed for.
- a solution according to the present invention enables fast and easy collapsing a marionette into the rest position (taking much less space than in working position) and placing it inside an appropriate container for the purpose of storing and transporting, as well as fast and easy unpacking it from the container to put it into the working (free overhang) position.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the first exemplary embodiment of a marionette according to the present invention in a free overhang position
- FIG. 2 a is a cross sectional view of the first exemplary embodiment of segment connection according to. the present invention for the marionette of FIG. 1 ,
- FIGS. 2 b and 2 c present schematic views of the connection of FIG. 2 a in two terminal positions of the opposed dislocation of a head segment
- FIG. 3 a is a front view of the second exemplary embodiment of segment connection according to the present invention for the marionette of FIG. 1 ,
- FIG. 3 b presents schematic view of the connection of FIG. 3 a with leg segment steering strings being unstrained
- FIG. 3 c presents schematic view of the connection of FIG. 3 a with one leg segment raised up
- FIGS. 4 a . and 4 b present the second embodiment of a marionette according to the present invention in a schematic perspective and side view respectively.
- a marionette 1 comprises a multi-segment FIG. 3 , which in the presented embodiment has a form of a dinosaur, and a control device 2 .
- the control device 2 is made of plastic material and has a form of a four-armed cross-piece element which in the presented free overhang position is oriented horizontally.
- the FIG. 3 comprises six rigid plastic segments depicting a head 31 , a neck 32 , a body 33 , a tail 37 and two legs 35 of a dinosaur. Segments 31 , 33 , 35 and 37 to which in steering points 411 , 431 , 451 , 471 respective steering strings 41 , 43 , 45 and 47 are attached, are active segments, whereas the segment 32 is a passive segment.
- a number of passive segments between the adjacent active segments is not restricted in any way; no passive segment may also be used.
- the second ends of steering strings 4 are attached to the cross-controller 2 , wherein the steering strings 41 , 45 and 47 are attached to the outer ends of the controller arms and the steering string 43 is attached near the centre of the device 2 .
- the segments of marionette 1 are coupled via specific connections according to the present invention, the exemplary illustrative embodiments of which are presented in details in FIGS. 2 a - 2 c and 3 a - 3 c.
- FIG. 2 a presents a construction of a connection between two active segments 31 and 33 separated by the passive neck segment 32 , wherein the construction is presented for the free overhang position shown in FIG. 1 .
- the head segment 31 , the neck segment 32 and the body segment 33 are disposed slidably on the string 41 , 5 which is conducted in through channels formed in these segments wherein the end of the string 41 , 5 opposite to the end connected to the control device is blocked against being drawn into the internal channel 631 , 6312 of the body segment 33 by means of a blocking element 412 fixed or formed on its end.
- the section of the string exiting the top surface of the head segment 31 forms the steering string 41 while the remaining length of the string forms a connecting string 5 coupling the head segment 31 with the neck segment 32 as well as the neck segment 32 with the body segment 33 .
- connection string 5 connecting series of segments 31 , 32 , 33 is conducted via internal through channels 61 , 62 , 631 of the segments and exits their surfaces in the connecting points 51 , 521 , 522 , 531 .
- the through channels 61 , 631 of the head segment 31 and the body segment 33 are formed by pairs of perpendicular intersectional channels 611 , 612 , 6311 , 6312 respectively.
- Each of two connections presented in the drawings comprises two corresponding contact surfaces 71 , 721 , 722 , 731 , the centroids 711 , 7211 , 7221 , 7311 of which are located below of respective connecting points 51 , 521 , 522 , 531 located on these contact surfaces.
- the contact surface comprises according to the present invention a set of points on the surface of a marionette figure segment in which the segment contacts the adjacent segment connected therewith for the whole range of possible mutual movements between these segments.
- the boundary points of the envelope circumference curve of the contact areas 71 , 721 , 722 , 731 are the points of contact between the segments 31 , 32 , 33 in two extreme dislocations of the head segments as presented in FIGS. 2 b and 2 c.
- the contact areas 71 , 731 of the active segments 31 , 33 are convex while the contact areas 721 , 722 of the passive segment 32 are concave.
- the outlet 411 of the channel 61 of the head segment 31 through which the steering string section 41 connected to the control device is led out is placed on the vertical axis running through the gravity centre 311 of the head segment 31 .
- the steering point 431 of the steering string 43 of the body segment 33 is located on the vertical axis running through the gravity centre 331 of the segment 33 .
- Locating a steering point in the surroundings of the vertical axis crossing the gravity center of a segment is not essential feature according to the present invention however in some embodiments it may be advantageous for outermost active segments, especially for segments which do not contact ground and do not transmit a weight of figure, such as for example head, arm or wing segments.
- the outlet of the through channel 62 of the passive segment 32 constituting the connecting point 521 on the contact area 721 is rimmed by a distancing collar 321 .
- a distancing slidable element in a form of a small bead 36 is threaded.
- distancing elements such as distancing collars or slidable distancing beads is optional according to the present invention.
- the straight lines 312 , 3321 between their connecting points 51 , 531 and their steering points 411 , 431 extend over the centers of gravity 311 , 331 of these segments.
- An internal route of a segment through channel is not essential feature according to the present invention.
- a crucial requirement is however that a connecting/steering string exits the surfaces of these segments which are coupled by it at connecting points located above the centroids of contact surfaces of a connection between the segments.
- FIG. 2 b shows a structure of the connection of FIG. 2 a where the head segment 31 is after risen up by pulling up its steering string 41 .
- the passive neck segment. 32 has been dislocated.
- the corresponding contact surfaces of the segments are set apart for a greater distance from each other while the steering/connecting string has been tensioned into a straight line-like form.
- FIG. 2 c shows a structure of the connection of FIG. 2 a after moving the head segment 31 down by displacing its steering string 41 downwards.
- FIG. 2 b except for dislocation of the passive neck segment. 32 , additionally a visible considerable increase of the length of the connection section of the steering/connecting string occurred between the neck segment 32 and the body segment 33 as well as between the neck segment 32 and the head segment 31 .
- connection has to comprise at least one convex contact surface and that a centroid of this contact surface is located below the connecting point of the segment comprising this connecting surface.
- a shape of a corresponding contact surface and location of a connection point on the other segment are inessential for obtaining the advantageous results of the present invention.
- the other connecting surface would be for example flat, however concavity of the surface is very advantageous as it enables for hiding an area of a connection making an impression of figure integrity.
- FIG. 3 a presents a construction of a connection between the active body segment 33 and two active leg segments 35 of the FIG. 3 presented in FIG. 1 in a free overhang position.
- each leg segment 35 is connected to the body segment 33 via a connecting string 8 .
- the ends of the connecting string 8 are fixedly attached to the leg segments 35 in connecting points 55 and the string 8 exits the surface of the body segment 33 in connecting points 532 forming external sections 81 , which in a free overhang position are of equal lengths, and an internal section conducted via a horizontal transverse through channel 632 formed in the body segment 33 .
- connection configuration the connecting points 55 , 532 are located above the centroids 7321 , 751 of the corresponding contact surfaces 732 , 75 of the segments 33 , 35 .
- both contact surfaces 75 , 732 of each connection are convex.
- leg segment 35 is composed of two pieces 35 a, 35 b connected with each other by means of a releasable frictional connection 354 .
- set of pieces of a segment is preferably designed to form a construction puzzle.
- FIGS. 3 b and 3 c illustrate a functionality difference between the connection embodiments of FIGS. 2 a - 2 c and FIG. 3 . It is visible that owing to a fixed connection of the ends of the string 8 to the leg segments 35 , the leg segments may transmit a weight of the body segment 33 on the ground.
- FIG. 3 b the structure of FIG. 3 a (presented there in a free overhang position) is presented in a standing position with all steering strings 43 , 45 being unstrained (what is represented by waved lines) while the weight of the body segment 33 is transmitted on the ground by two strained connecting sections 81 of the connecting string 8 and the leg segments 35 .
- FIG. 3 c the structure of FIG.
- 3 a is presented in an intermediate phase of taking a step, the right leg segment 35 is lifted over the ground by pulling up its steering string 45 .
- the steering strings 45 , 43 of the remaining left leg segment 35 and body segment 33 are unstrained wherein the whole weight of the body segment 33 is transmitted on the ground by one strained left connecting section 81 of the connecting string 8 and the second left leg segment 35 .
- FIGS. 4 a and 4 b show second embodiment of a marionette V according to the present invention.
- the marionette FIG. 3 ′ represents a pterosaur and comprises four active segments including a head segment 31 ′, a body segment 33 ′, and two similar side segments 35 ′ representing wings of the pterosaur, and one passive neck segment 32 ′.
- the head segment 31 ′, the neck segment 32 ′ and the body segment 33 ′ are coupled via a string 5 ′ forming connections in the similar manner as presented in FIGS. 2 a - 2 c, wherein between the corresponding contact surfaces no distance element (neither a distancing collar nor a distancing bead) is arranged and the corresponding contact surfaces are directly contacting with each other.
- the wing segments 35 ′ are coupled to the body segment 33 ′ via a second connecting string 8 ′ of the steering strings 43 ′ of the body segment 33 ′.
- the steering strings 43 ′ of the body segment 33 ′ are virtually the terminal sections of one string the middle section of which forming the connecting string 8 ′ is conducted via appropriate through channels formed in the body segment 33 ′ and in the wing segments 35 ′ for coupling these segments with each other.
- the segments 33 ′, 35 ′ are slidably disposed on the connecting string 8 ′.
- Each of the wing segments 35 ′ is provided with one steering string 45 ′ fixed to its top surface in the steering point 451 ′ determined by the vertical axis running through the centre of gravity 351 ′ of the segment 35 ′, and comprises two channels 651 , 652 for the connecting string 8 ′ wherein each channel 651 , 652 is formed from two crossing sections oriented perpendicularly to each other.
- the body segment 33 ′ is provided with a substantially (slightly backhanded) vertical through channel 633 into which from the above the steering string 43 ′ is introduced.
- the steering string 43 ′ from now as the connecting string 8 ′/exits the body segment 33 ′ through the bottom outlet of the channel 633 and enters the rear channel 652 of the left wing segment 35 ′, and then runs through the front channel 651 of the segment 35 ′. After exiting the left segment 35 ′ the connecting section 8 ′ enters back to the body segment 33 ′ via its transverse horizontal through channel 634 .
- the string is led outside the body segment 33 ′ and is conducted successively via front and rear channels 651 , 652 of the right wing segment 35 ′ and then is again introduced into the body segment 33 ′ through the bottom outlet of the vertical channel 633 , and finally is led out of the body segment 33 ′ as the second steering string 43 ′ connected to the control device.
- segments may be provided with sound and/or light emitting device(s) which preferably is(are) operated and controlled by manipulator.
- One of segments may also be provided with a camera to register the external environment which is also advantageously controlled by manipulator.
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Abstract
A marionette 1 includes a FIG. 3 having a number of segments, at least two segments connected by steering strings with a control device (2). At least one active segment is connected with the control device (2) by the steering string exiting the surface of this segment at the steering point. An adjacent segment comprises a convex contact surface. Connectors (5, 81) exit these segments at the connecting points (51, 55) which are displaceable with regard to each other. A centroid of the convex contact surface (71, 731, 75) is located below the connecting point (51, 531, 55) of the convex contact surface. In a predefined free overhang position of the figure 3, a straight line (312, 3321, 3322, 352) extending between the connecting point (51, 531, 532, 55) of the active segment (31, 33, 35) and the steering point extends above the segment center of gravity.
Description
- This application is a National Stage of PCT International Patent Application no. PCT/PL2010/000129, filed 30 Dec. 2010, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
- The invention relates to a marionette comprising a figure having a number of segments, wherein at least two segments are connected by means of steering strings with a control device and at least two segments are substantially rigid.
- Various marionettes are known from the state of art.
- U.S. Pat. No. 1,901,707 discloses a marionette toy comprising a figure having a shape of the human body consisting of a plurality of molded rigid sections connected with a plurality of strings wherein the segments are threaded on the strings and form spheroid joints.
- U.S. Pat. No. 4,048,749 discloses a hand operated puppet which is operable from overhead puppet strings with the generally articulated figure of a bird. A plurality of styrofoam and fabric balls are strung together to form the legs and body with strips of fake fur attached to the body balls, and feathers on the head. The segments of the puppet are slidably threaded on a string and connected with hands and a neck which freely collocates along a catenary curve.
- U.S. Pat. No. 4,425,388 discloses a flight simulating mobile device. According to this invention any of a variety of different bird, butterfly or like flying creatures may be fabricated of plastic or like material, readily assembled, and balanced in such manner that when suspended in air current the same provides a realistic replication of a creature in flight. The device has a shape of a bird having wings attached via hinges enabling for a rotational movement of each wings in one pivotal axis.
- Other marionette arrangements comprising rigid segments are disclosed for example in the following U.S. patents: U.S. Pat. No. 2,113,839; U.S. Pat. No. 6,827,626; U.S. Pat. No. 2,202,677; U.S. Pat. No. 2,238,455; U.S. Pat. No. 2,662,338; U.S. Pat. No. 3,195,265; U.S. Pat. No. 4,690,655 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,254,029.
- Figures of prior art marionettes generally comprise rigid segments with articulated limbs, wherein means connecting adjoining segments such as strings or joints are either visible or masked for example by clothes of a marionette.
- In other solutions of this kind limbs of a figure are soft or made of many articulated segments. In general they collocate along a catenary curve and in a direction opposite to the direction of natural genuflection, wherein an appropriate weight is most commonly placed in a rigid foot segment to which a steering string is attached. Although such solutions provide an aesthetic appearance of a marionette figure and its good movement capabilities they may not accurately reflect the movement of the animal they depict.
- On the other hand known marionettes that accurately reflect the quality of their real originals are provided with control arrangements that are complicated and thus difficult to operate.
- In general known marionettes do not provide sufficient freedom in designing a shape of marionette figure which freedom is strongly restricted by the necessity for providing appropriate movement capabilities of a figure.
- Therefore an object of the present invention was to provide a marionette the construction of which would substantially increase the freedom in developing new and original shapes of the figure in comparison with the prior art solutions, wherein such a marionette would also have a relatively simple construction and would be easier to operate.
- According to the present invention there is provided a marionette as described in the outset, wherein a connection between at least one active segment, which is connected with the control device by means of the steering string exiting the surface of this segment at the steering point, and an adjacent segment comprises a convex contact surface on one of these segments and a connection means exiting the surfaces of these segments at the connecting points, wherein said connecting points are displaceable with regard to each other, a centroid of said convex contact surface is located below the connecting point of the segment comprising this surface, and in the predefined free overhang position of the figure straight line between the connecting point of said active segment and the steering point of this segment extends above the gravity centre of this segment.
- A “free overhang position” according to the present invention denotes a state of a marionette in which its figure is in a predetermined initial configuration, freely hanged in the air on steering strings with no segments resting on any supporting surface wherein a control device is oriented in its primary, in most cases substantially horizontal, position.
- The term “contact surface” according to the present invention is a set of points on the surface of a segment in which the segment contacts the adjacent segment connected therewith for the whole range of possible mutual movements between these segments.
- The term “centroid” should be according to the invention understood as a geometric centre of the shape of a contact surface.
- The term “steering point” according to the present invention is a point in which a steering string is led out from the volume of a segment or a point in which a steering string is attached to the surface of a segment.
- The term “connection point” means a point in which connection means are led out from the volume of a segment or a point in which connection means are attached to the surface of a segment.
- The term “connection means” should be understood as any means enabling for connecting adjacent segments in such a manner that their connection points are displaceable with regard to each other, such as string or chain.
- The term “active segment” in particular denotes according to the present invention an outermost active segment connected solely with one passive segment.
- In a preferred embodiment of a marionette according to the present invention a centroid of a contact surface on the other segment of said connection is located below the connecting point of this segment comprising this contact surface.
- Said connection between two segments of a marionette advantageously comprises a convex contact surface on one of these segments, and a concave contact surface on the other segment of said connection.
- A steering string of at least one active segment exits the surface of this segment at a steering point advantageously located in the surroundings of the vertical axis crossing the gravity centre of this segment.
- According to the present invention at least, one active segment is preferably disposed slidably on a string and in the predefined free overhang position of a figure presses its adjacent segment.
- Preferably a connection between two segments comprises a distancing element disposed on the connection means between these segments.
- At least one segment preferably comprises two axial channels crossing each other for a string.
- In some embodiments it may be advantageous that at least one of segments of a figure is/are provided with at least one sound emitting device and/or light emitting device and/or camera to register the surrounding of the figure which is/are advantageously controlled by manipulator.
- A figure of a marionette according to the present invention is advantageously assembled from a set of pieces, and in particular a set of pieces forming a construction puzzle wherein in particular said pieces are advantageously connected by means of a releasable frictional connection.
- According to one of the preferred embodiments a marionette figure includes at least one base segment depicting the body of the figure and at least two side segments adjacent to said base segment and connected with a control device.
- Said side segments may advantageously depict legs of a marionette figure and between said base segment and said side segments a loose part of a string is preferably disposed.
- Side segments of a marionette according to the present invention may also preferably depict wings of a marionette figure, wherein said base segment is connected with said side segment by means of a string in at least two points and said side segment is preferably slidably disposed on this string.
- The solution according to the present invention minimizes friction forces generated in joint connections between particular segments of a marionette figure.
- In a result of this according to the present invention in a free overhang position segments always form the same predefined by a designer figure of a marionette, i.e. segments are self-aligned into a predefined overhang position by gravitational force.
- Moreover active segments may be dislocated from the aligned predefined overhang position (constituting de facto an arrangement of unstable equilibrium) by applying very small forces acting on steering strings.
- Structure of a connection according to the present invention enables for covering up the area of a joint between adjacent segments thereby making it invisible from the outside and making an impression of integrity of the shape of a marionette figure formed by a number of separate segments.
- In comparison with a great majority of known marionettes having figures composed of rigid segments forming lower kinematic pairs, in a marionette according to the present invention figure segments are connected forming higher kinematic pairs.
- A marionette according to the present invention provides for a designer considerably greater degree of freedom in developing new and original shapes of its figure in comparison with prior art solutions.
- A solution of the present invention features superb motional properties making their movements very natural and truly imitative for real movements even when being steered with a use of a simple ordinary control device handled by a child, which a marionette is primarily designed for.
- Finally a solution according to the present invention enables fast and easy collapsing a marionette into the rest position (taking much less space than in working position) and placing it inside an appropriate container for the purpose of storing and transporting, as well as fast and easy unpacking it from the container to put it into the working (free overhang) position.
- These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be fully apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the annexed drawings, in which:
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FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the first exemplary embodiment of a marionette according to the present invention in a free overhang position, -
FIG. 2 a is a cross sectional view of the first exemplary embodiment of segment connection according to. the present invention for the marionette ofFIG. 1 , -
FIGS. 2 b and 2 c present schematic views of the connection ofFIG. 2 a in two terminal positions of the opposed dislocation of a head segment, -
FIG. 3 a is a front view of the second exemplary embodiment of segment connection according to the present invention for the marionette ofFIG. 1 , -
FIG. 3 b presents schematic view of the connection ofFIG. 3 a with leg segment steering strings being unstrained, -
FIG. 3 c presents schematic view of the connection ofFIG. 3 a with one leg segment raised up, and -
FIGS. 4 a. and 4 b present the second embodiment of a marionette according to the present invention in a schematic perspective and side view respectively. - As shown in
FIG. 1 , amarionette 1 comprises a multi-segmentFIG. 3 , which in the presented embodiment has a form of a dinosaur, and acontrol device 2. Thecontrol device 2 is made of plastic material and has a form of a four-armed cross-piece element which in the presented free overhang position is oriented horizontally. - The
FIG. 3 comprises six rigid plastic segments depicting ahead 31, aneck 32, abody 33, atail 37 and twolegs 35 of a dinosaur.Segments segment 32 is a passive segment. - Generally according to the present invention a number of passive segments between the adjacent active segments is not restricted in any way; no passive segment may also be used.
- The second ends of
steering strings 4 are attached to thecross-controller 2, wherein the steering strings 41, 45 and 47 are attached to the outer ends of the controller arms and thesteering string 43 is attached near the centre of thedevice 2. - The segments of
marionette 1 are coupled via specific connections according to the present invention, the exemplary illustrative embodiments of which are presented in details inFIGS. 2 a-2 c and 3 a-3 c. -
FIG. 2 a presents a construction of a connection between twoactive segments passive neck segment 32, wherein the construction is presented for the free overhang position shown inFIG. 1 . - The
head segment 31, theneck segment 32 and thebody segment 33 are disposed slidably on thestring string internal channel body segment 33 by means of a blockingelement 412 fixed or formed on its end. - In this connection embodiment, the section of the string exiting the top surface of the
head segment 31 forms the steeringstring 41 while the remaining length of the string forms a connectingstring 5 coupling thehead segment 31 with theneck segment 32 as well as theneck segment 32 with thebody segment 33. - The
connection string 5 connecting series ofsegments channels points - The through
channels head segment 31 and thebody segment 33 are formed by pairs of perpendicularintersectional channels - Each of two connections presented in the drawings comprises two corresponding contact surfaces 71, 721, 722, 731, the
centroids points - The contact surface comprises according to the present invention a set of points on the surface of a marionette figure segment in which the segment contacts the adjacent segment connected therewith for the whole range of possible mutual movements between these segments. For example in the presented marionette embodiment in the plane of the sectional view, the boundary points of the envelope circumference curve of the
contact areas segments FIGS. 2 b and 2 c. - In the presented embodiment the
contact areas active segments contact areas passive segment 32 are concave. - The connecting points 51, 521, 522, 531 located in the outlets of the through
channels contact areas string segments respective centroids - The
outlet 411 of thechannel 61 of thehead segment 31 through which thesteering string section 41 connected to the control device is led out (thus the outlet represents a steering point according to the present invention) is placed on the vertical axis running through thegravity centre 311 of thehead segment 31. - Also the
steering point 431 of thesteering string 43 of thebody segment 33 is located on the vertical axis running through thegravity centre 331 of thesegment 33. - Locating a steering point in the surroundings of the vertical axis crossing the gravity center of a segment is not essential feature according to the present invention however in some embodiments it may be advantageous for outermost active segments, especially for segments which do not contact ground and do not transmit a weight of figure, such as for example head, arm or wing segments.
- The outlet of the through
channel 62 of thepassive segment 32 constituting the connectingpoint 521 on thecontact area 721 is rimmed by adistancing collar 321. Between themarionette segments small bead 36 is threaded. Using distancing elements such as distancing collars or slidable distancing beads is optional according to the present invention. - For the
active segments straight lines points steering points gravity - An internal route of a segment through channel is not essential feature according to the present invention. A crucial requirement is however that a connecting/steering string exits the surfaces of these segments which are coupled by it at connecting points located above the centroids of contact surfaces of a connection between the segments.
-
FIG. 2 b shows a structure of the connection ofFIG. 2 a where thehead segment 31 is after risen up by pulling up itssteering string 41. In consequence of a movement of thehead segment 31 also the passive neck segment. 32 has been dislocated. As shown the corresponding contact surfaces of the segments are set apart for a greater distance from each other while the steering/connecting string has been tensioned into a straight line-like form. -
FIG. 2 c shows a structure of the connection ofFIG. 2 a after moving thehead segment 31 down by displacing itssteering string 41 downwards. In comparison toFIG. 2 b, except for dislocation of the passive neck segment. 32, additionally a visible considerable increase of the length of the connection section of the steering/connecting string occurred between theneck segment 32 and thebody segment 33 as well as between theneck segment 32 and thehead segment 31. - Each of exemplary connections presented in
FIGS. 2 a-2 c comprises one convex contact surface and corresponding one concave contact surface. However it should here be noted that crucial requirements according to the present invention are that a connection has to comprise at least one convex contact surface and that a centroid of this contact surface is located below the connecting point of the segment comprising this connecting surface. A shape of a corresponding contact surface and location of a connection point on the other segment are inessential for obtaining the advantageous results of the present invention. The other connecting surface would be for example flat, however concavity of the surface is very advantageous as it enables for hiding an area of a connection making an impression of figure integrity. -
FIG. 3 a presents a construction of a connection between theactive body segment 33 and twoactive leg segments 35 of theFIG. 3 presented inFIG. 1 in a free overhang position. As shown, eachleg segment 35 is connected to thebody segment 33 via a connectingstring 8. The ends of the connectingstring 8 are fixedly attached to theleg segments 35 in connectingpoints 55 and thestring 8 exits the surface of thebody segment 33 in connectingpoints 532 formingexternal sections 81, which in a free overhang position are of equal lengths, and an internal section conducted via a horizontal transverse throughchannel 632 formed in thebody segment 33. - In this connection configuration the connecting
points centroids segments - In this embodiment, as contrasted with the connection shown in
FIGS. 2 a-2 c, both contact surfaces 75, 732 of each connection are convex. - Similarly to the connection embodiment of
FIGS. 2 a-2 c, for each ofsegments straight line points gravity segments - In this embodiment the
leg segment 35 is composed of twopieces frictional connection 354. - In other embodiments of a marionette figure according to the present invention, set of pieces of a segment is preferably designed to form a construction puzzle.
-
FIGS. 3 b and 3 c illustrate a functionality difference between the connection embodiments ofFIGS. 2 a-2 c andFIG. 3 . It is visible that owing to a fixed connection of the ends of thestring 8 to theleg segments 35, the leg segments may transmit a weight of thebody segment 33 on the ground. InFIG. 3 b the structure ofFIG. 3 a (presented there in a free overhang position) is presented in a standing position with all steeringstrings body segment 33 is transmitted on the ground by two strained connectingsections 81 of the connectingstring 8 and theleg segments 35. InFIG. 3 c the structure ofFIG. 3 a is presented in an intermediate phase of taking a step, theright leg segment 35 is lifted over the ground by pulling up itssteering string 45. The steering strings 45, 43 of the remainingleft leg segment 35 andbody segment 33 are unstrained wherein the whole weight of thebody segment 33 is transmitted on the ground by one strainedleft connecting section 81 of the connectingstring 8 and the secondleft leg segment 35. -
FIGS. 4 a and 4 b show second embodiment of a marionette V according to the present invention. The marionette FIG. 3′ represents a pterosaur and comprises four active segments including ahead segment 31′, abody segment 33′, and twosimilar side segments 35′ representing wings of the pterosaur, and onepassive neck segment 32′. - The
head segment 31′, theneck segment 32′ and thebody segment 33′ are coupled via astring 5′ forming connections in the similar manner as presented inFIGS. 2 a-2 c, wherein between the corresponding contact surfaces no distance element (neither a distancing collar nor a distancing bead) is arranged and the corresponding contact surfaces are directly contacting with each other. - The
wing segments 35′ are coupled to thebody segment 33′ via a second connectingstring 8′ of the steering strings 43′ of thebody segment 33′. The steering strings 43′ of thebody segment 33′ are virtually the terminal sections of one string the middle section of which forming the connectingstring 8′ is conducted via appropriate through channels formed in thebody segment 33′ and in thewing segments 35′ for coupling these segments with each other. - The
segments 33′, 35′ are slidably disposed on the connectingstring 8′. Each of thewing segments 35′ is provided with onesteering string 45′ fixed to its top surface in thesteering point 451′ determined by the vertical axis running through the centre ofgravity 351′ of thesegment 35′, and comprises twochannels string 8′ wherein eachchannel - The
body segment 33′ is provided with a substantially (slightly backhanded) vertical throughchannel 633 into which from the above the steeringstring 43′ is introduced. The steeringstring 43′, from now as the connectingstring 8′/exits thebody segment 33′ through the bottom outlet of thechannel 633 and enters therear channel 652 of theleft wing segment 35′, and then runs through thefront channel 651 of thesegment 35′. After exiting theleft segment 35′ the connectingsection 8′ enters back to thebody segment 33′ via its transverse horizontal through channel 634. Further the string is led outside thebody segment 33′ and is conducted successively via front andrear channels right wing segment 35′ and then is again introduced into thebody segment 33′ through the bottom outlet of thevertical channel 633, and finally is led out of thebody segment 33′ as thesecond steering string 43′ connected to the control device. - In order to improve a functionality of a marionette according to the present invention their segments may be provided with sound and/or light emitting device(s) which preferably is(are) operated and controlled by manipulator. One of segments may also be provided with a camera to register the external environment which is also advantageously controlled by manipulator.
- The above embodiments of the present invention are merely exemplary. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimized. It will be understood by persons skilled in the relevant art that various changes in the form and details can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. These and other factors however should not be considered as limiting the spirit of the invention, the intended scope of protection of which is indicated in appended claims.
Claims (18)
1. A marionette comprising a figure having a number of segments, wherein at least two segments are connected by steering strings with a control device and at least two segments are substantially rigid, a connection between at least one active segment, which is connected with the control device by a steering string exiting a surface of the at least one active segment at a steering point, and an adjacent segment comprises
a convex contact surface located on one segment and a connector exiting surfaces of the segments at the connecting points,
wherein
said connecting points are displaceable with regard to each other,
a centroid of said convex contact surface is located below the connecting point of the segment having the convex contact surface, and
in a predefined free overhang position of the figure, a straight line located between the connecting point of said at least one active segment and the steering point of said at least one active segment extends above a center of gravity thereof.
2. The marionette according to claim 1 , wherein a centroid of a contact surface on the adjacent segment of said connection is located below the connecting point thereof.
3. The marionette according to claim 1 , wherein the connection between two segments comprises
a convex contact surface on one, segment connected to a concave contact surface on another segment.
4. The marionette according to claim 1 , wherein the steering string of at least one active segment exits a surface thereof at the steering point located in an area surrounding a vertical axis crossing a center of gravity of the at least one active segment.
5. The marionette according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one active segment is disposed slidably on a string, and in the predefined free overhang position of the figure, presses against the adjacent segment.
6. The marionette according to claim 1 , further comprising disposed on the connector located between the connected segments.
7. The marionette according to claim 1 , wherein at least one segment has two axial channels which cross each other for receiving a string.
8. The marionette according to claim 1 , wherein at least one segment has at least one sound emitting device.
9. The marionette according to claim 1 , wherein at least segment has at least one light emitting device.
10. The marionette according to claim 1 , wherein at least segment has at least one camera.
11. The marionette according to claim 1 , wherein the figure is assembled from a set of pieces.
12. The marionette according to claim 11 , wherein said pieces are connected by a releasable frictional connection.
13. The marionette according to claim 1 , further comprising at least one base segment depicting a body of the figure and at least two side segments adjacent to said base segment and connected with the control device.
14. The marionette according to claim 13 , wherein said side segments depict legs of the figure and between said base segment and said side segments, a loose part of a string is disposed.
15. The marionette according to claim 13 , wherein said side segments depict wings of the figure, wherein the base segment is connected with said side segment by a string in at least two points and said side segment is slidably disposed on the string.
16. The marionette according to claim 8 further comprising a manipulator for controlling the at least one sound emitting device.
17. The marionette according to claim 9 further comprising a manipulator for controlling the at least one light emitting device.
18. The marionette according to claim 11 , wherein the set of pieces form a construction puzzle.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/PL2010/000129 WO2012091578A1 (en) | 2010-12-30 | 2010-12-30 | A marionette |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20130157539A1 true US20130157539A1 (en) | 2013-06-20 |
Family
ID=44544126
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/812,237 Abandoned US20130157539A1 (en) | 2010-12-30 | 2010-12-30 | Marionette |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20130157539A1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN103221102A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2012091578A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN105194887B (en) * | 2015-10-15 | 2017-07-18 | 西安电子科技大学 | A kind of eyes, face and the movable marionette of multi-joint |
CN110456744B (en) * | 2019-07-26 | 2021-03-16 | 武汉虹捷信息技术有限公司 | Automatic performance control method, equipment and storage medium for shadow puppet |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5980357A (en) * | 1998-02-11 | 1999-11-09 | Newby; Thomas O. | Puppet controlled from above |
US6827626B1 (en) * | 2002-02-28 | 2004-12-07 | Playstages, Incorporated | Marionette |
Family Cites Families (14)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1901707A (en) * | 1931-10-31 | 1933-03-14 | Louise M Dunn | Toy |
US2113839A (en) | 1936-07-16 | 1938-04-12 | Hazelle H Hedges | Marionette toy |
US2202677A (en) | 1939-05-04 | 1940-05-28 | Usinskis Stasys | Marionette |
US2238455A (en) | 1939-10-04 | 1941-04-15 | Steinhilber Walter | Marionette |
US2662338A (en) | 1951-08-15 | 1953-12-15 | Baird William Bil Britton | Marionette toy |
US3195265A (en) | 1961-06-09 | 1965-07-20 | Productive Ideas Unltd Inc | Package convertible to a toy |
US4048749A (en) * | 1976-06-16 | 1977-09-20 | Carl Edward Zitting | Marionette bird |
US4425388A (en) | 1983-02-16 | 1984-01-10 | Bird Mobiles, Inc. | Adjustable flight simulating mobile device |
US4690655A (en) | 1986-07-01 | 1987-09-01 | Bailey Samuel G | Talking marionette with theatre |
CH680907A5 (en) | 1990-08-10 | 1992-12-15 | Waldag Holding Ag | |
CH680906A5 (en) * | 1990-08-10 | 1992-12-15 | Waldag Holding Ag | Cruciform control for handling marionettes and puppets - consists of vertical gripper bar, sloping support bar with strings, knee, head, hand and shoulder bars. |
CN2162281Y (en) * | 1993-03-20 | 1994-04-20 | 祁吾尘 | Moving doll and doll playing board |
CN2907815Y (en) * | 2006-05-10 | 2007-06-06 | 吕向东 | Marionette |
CN201070543Y (en) * | 2007-06-26 | 2008-06-11 | 夏发明 | Giant stay wire puppets of midair stage |
-
2010
- 2010-12-30 WO PCT/PL2010/000129 patent/WO2012091578A1/en active Application Filing
- 2010-12-30 CN CN2010800683677A patent/CN103221102A/en active Pending
- 2010-12-30 US US13/812,237 patent/US20130157539A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5980357A (en) * | 1998-02-11 | 1999-11-09 | Newby; Thomas O. | Puppet controlled from above |
US6827626B1 (en) * | 2002-02-28 | 2004-12-07 | Playstages, Incorporated | Marionette |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CN103221102A (en) | 2013-07-24 |
WO2012091578A1 (en) | 2012-07-05 |
WO2012091578A8 (en) | 2013-05-10 |
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