US3221442A

US3221442A - Articulated doll

Info

Publication number: US3221442A
Application number: US273943A
Authority: US
Inventors: Anne G Estern; Neil C Estern
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1963-04-18
Filing date: 1963-04-18
Publication date: 1965-12-07
Anticipated expiration: 1982-12-07

Description

7, 9 A. a. ESTERN ETAL 3, ,442

ARTICULATED DOLL Filed April 18, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VENTORS mwv: 5 TERN IVE/l. E6 TE RN Dec. 7, 1965 A. G. ESTERN ETAL 3,221,442

ARTICULAIED DOLL Filed April 18, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG; 3

INVENTORS n/v/ve" 5 TERN we. 55 TERN Dec. 7, 1965 A. G. ESTERN ETAL 3,221,442

ARTICULATED DOLL Filed April 18, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS n/wve 5 TERN NEIL 5s TERN A, MM Mm United States Patent 3,221,442 ARTICULATED DULL Anne G. Estern and Neil C. Estern, both of 82 Remsen St., Brooklyn, N.Y. Filed Apr. 18, 1963, Ser. No. 273,943 6 (Jlaims. (Cl. 46154) Our present invention relates to an improved and novel doll construction and, more particularly, to a doll capable of being manipulated in the manner of a puppet.

Heretofore, dolls were ordinarily manufactured of relatively hard or substantially rigid parts of vinyl or polyethylene, for example, which were jointed to one another in one of many suitable fashions. Prior to this mode of construction, dolls were formed of parts essentially of wood pulp covered by cloth. These dOlls were desirable because they provided for a cuddly effect or soft feeling for an infant during play. Recently a doll has been proposed for such purposes having a relatively soft body. However, this doll as in the case of its predecessors was not able to stand or sit in View of the particular construction involved.

An object of our invention is to provide a doll possessing the desirable cuddly effect and soft feeling found desirable by most infants and, at the same time, a doll which would retain as much rigidity as possible as well as readily j oinable parts.

Another object is to provide a doll particularly one fabricated in accordance with the objective above which would inspire play by an infant by the inclusion of means for permitting manipulation of the doll in the manner of a puppet.

A further object is to provide the foregoing dolls manufactured of relatively few parts each individually simple in construction and readily assemblable in a minimum of time at relatively reduced costs.

A doll incorporating the teachings of our present invention will include the usual hear, arms and legs readily coupled with a torso. The torso is so constructed and arranged to provide for manipulation of at least one body part by the finger of a hand by merely employing a rather expeditious maneuver of the hand. In this connection, the torso is formed from a top and base section which are, respectively, coupled with the head and legs of the finished doll. These sections are connected with one another by means of a connecting means constituted essentially of a ball member coupled with the top section by an interposed flexible spring means. The ball member engages surfaces of the bottom section and cooperates therewith to provide a ball and socket joint or swivel connection. A biasing means is incorporated into the torso whereby the base section is urged towards the ball member. In this way, a degree of universal movement is provided for the upper part of the doll. A sheet of resilient material is wrapped around the torso to give body thereto. A sack is then placed around the wrapped torso. This sack is coupled with the top section and placed around the base section between the hips of the doll. Means are incorporated into the sack to provide for a certain degree of elasticity which adds to the body or fullness effect for the doll torso. The sack i suitably formed to provide for the anchoring thereto of the arms. The sack is so constructed and arranged to provide access for a hand, the fingers of which would engage with at least one of a number of body parts whereby the doll would be manipulated in the manner of a puppet. Under the circumstances, the doll would be suitably clothed and,

at the same time, provide for this puppetry effect. A doll fabricated in accordance with the above would be sufficiently rigid and provided with jointed parts which would permit the doll to stand and sit when desired.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description which is to be taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings illustrating a somewhat preferred embodiment of our invention and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a puppet doll fabricated in accordance with our present invention showing the positioning of a hand interiorly thereof for purposes of manipulating body parts;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the several parts that are assembled in accordance with our invention in arriving at the puppet doll;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 77 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view 9-9 of FIG. 3.

The doll illustrated in the drawings includes a head lll, a pair of

arms

12 and 14, a pair of

legs

16 and 18, all of which are coupled with a simulated body torso. This torso includes an upper section 20 and a lower section 22 which are connected with one another by means which include a ball member 24 and flexible spring means 26 with the ball member 26 urged into engagement with the base section 22 by means of a biasing means 28. In order to provide the torso with body, a sheet of resilient material 30 is wrapped around the torso parts. A sack 32 is then placed over these wrapped parts and is coupled with the top section 20 and wrapped around the base section 22 between the leg sockets by means of an elastic material which further adds to the substance or body effect of the body torso.

Referring now to the connection of the doll head 10 to the top section 20 of the torso, it will. be appreciated at the outset that the doll head at this connection is substantially resilient and elastic whereas the top section is formed of substantially rigid material. The base of the doll head or, more accurately, the neck is formed with a pair of radially inwardly extending

circumferential flanges

34 and 36 both of which define a central opening 38. The top section 20 extends partially through this opening whereby a radial flange 40 is adapted to be resiliently engaged by the

spaced flanges

34 and 36. The top section further includes a lower substantially enlarged flange 42 both of which flanges cooperate to define opening 44 of a size sufiicient to permit the introduction of the forefinger of ones hand. The forward part of the top section is formed with a substantially vertically extending arcuate or curved finger-engaging panel 46. As will be discussed in detail below, finger pressure exerted on this panel will have the effect of moving the. dolls head in the intended direction.

Animation of the

arms

12 and 14 is also contemplated and, in this connection, the arms Will have at least the taken along the line upper parts thereof provided with a hollow or recess 48 to provide access for either the thumb or middle finger of the same hand. In order to facilitat the introduction of these fingers into the hollow of the arms, the arms are outwardly flared as at 50. These flared ends 50 are suitably secured to the sack 32 as, for example, by inserting these flared ends into the sack openings 52 and then stitching the sack material and flared ends to one another.

In the construction and assembly of the torso, a pair of spaced downwardly extending

studs

54 and 56 of the top section 20 are adapted to be securely engaged with the upper ends of the

respective springs

58 and 60 of the resilient means 26. These springs are essentially coiled springs which firmly embrace or engage the teeth 62 formed into each of the

studs

54 and 56.

The lower ends of each of the

springs

58 and 60 are similarly secured to a pair of upwardly extending similarly constructed threaded

studs

64 and 66, respectively, of the ball member 24. This ball member includes a lower ball forming part 68 and an integral upwardly extending recessed part 70 from which the

studs

64 and 66 extend. The ball member 24 is further recessed at 72 to receive pin 74 which serves to anchor one end of the rubber band 76 of the biasing means 28. The ball part 68 is formed with a central bore or opening 78 through which the rubber band 76 extends.

The ball forming part 68 of the ball member 24 is universally movable in the socket forming part 80 of the torso base section 22. As shown, the base section is substantially hollow to accommodate the biasing means 28 and is also formed with a pair of

leg receiving sockets

82 and 84.

The upper ends 86 and 88 of the

respective legs

16 and 18 conveniently nest in the

sockets

82 and 84, respectively. These upper ends of the legs are preferably hollow and each is provided with an outwardly extending hook 90 having a swivel connection with an anchoring plate 92 which bears against the inner surfaces of the associated leg while the hook extends outwardly therefrom, as shown. Each of the hooks are anchored to the lower end of the rubber band 76; and, in this manner, both of the

legs

16 and 18 as well as the ball member 24 are movably connected with the torso base section 22.

In order to surround the shiftable and bendable parts of the torso and, at the same time, provide body thereto, a sheet of resilient material 30 is wrapped around the torso. It should be understood that, if desired, this sheet of material may be provided preformed.

A sack is now placed over the wrapped torso and supplements the body effect. In this connection, the sack is provided with a neck opening 94 which is disposed between the

radial flanges

36 and 42 of the doll head and torso top section 20, respectively. The lower end of the sack includes a piece ofelastic material 961 disposed between the

legs

16 and 18 and over the bottom surface of the base section 22 of the torso and enables the sack to give in response to manipulation of doll. As explained in the foregoing, the

arms

12 and 14 are stitched to the sack while being disposed in the openings 52.

The sack 32 includes a front piece 98 and a rear piece 100, located essentially over the front and back respectively of the simulated torso; with the exception that the top of the rear piece extends over the front face of the curved panel 46 of the top torso section and under the radial flange 42. In addition, the sack includes a pocket or pouch 102 defined by the piece 104 and the previously discussed rear piece 100. An opening 106 is defined leading into the pocket 102 both of which are of sufficient size to permit entry of ones hand. To facilitate the engagement of the piece 104 with the rear of the inserted hand, a length of elastic may be stitched around the lower end 108 of the piece 104.

Thus, in order to manipulate the doll of our invention in the manner of a puppet, one need only insert a hand into the pocket 102, placing the forefinger through the opening 44 and into engagement with the curved panel 46. At the same time, the thumb and middle finger of this hand would be placed into the upper ends of the

arms

12 and 14 through the associated sack openings 52. By moving the middle finger or thumb, or both, the arms of the doll will be moved a corresponding amount. The head of the doll will similarly be moved by merely pressing against the curved plate 46. In this connection, by pressing forwardly against this panel 46, the

springs

58 and 60 will be flexed.

The doll may readily assume a standing position by suitably positioning the legs relative to the body torso until a stable standing position is obtained. A sitting position is obtained. A sitting position is similarly assumed by shifting the legs forwardly with respect to the torso. The previously discussed ball and socket joint enables the doll to bend at the waist, if and when desired. Furthermore, this connection or joint enables the doll to turn in either direction at the waist. Accordingly, substantial universal movement of the doll waist is provided by our invention.

The doll of our invention can be dressed in any suitable fashion. However, it should be understood that the particular dress or clothing should have incorporated therein suitable means 110 to facilitate entry of ones hand into pocket 102.

Thus, the several aforenoted objects and advantages are most effectively attained. Although a single and somewhat preferred embodiment has been discussed in detail herein, it should be understood that our invention is in no sense limited thereby, but is to be determined by the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A doll comprising in combination: a torso including a top section and base section, connecting means intermediate said sections and interconnecting bot-h sections with one another, said connecting means comprising a ball member and spring means interconnecting said ball member with said top section, said base section and ball member having interengaging surfaces defining a substantially swivel joint, and said connecting means also including biasing means for urging said ball member relatively towards said base section; a pair of arms; means for coupling said arms to said to torso, a pair of legs; said connecting means further including means for coupling said legs to said base section; a head; and said biasing means being anchored to each of said legs and said ball member; means for coupling said head to said top section; and a sack extending substantially over said torso and being coupled with said top section and base section, said arms being connected with said sack.

2. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein resilient sheet material is disposed around. said connecting means.

3. A doll comprising in combination: a torso including a top section and a base section, connecting means intermediate said sections and interconnecting both sections with one another, said connecting means comprising a ball member and spring means interconnecting said ball member with said top section, said base section and ball member having interengaging surfaces defining a substantially swivel joint, and said connecting means further including biasing means for urging said ball member relatively towards said base section; a pair of arms; means for coupling said arms to said torso; a pair of legs extending from said base section, said connecting means also including means for coupling said legs to said base section; a head; means for coupling said head to said top section; a sack extending substantially over said torso and being coupled with top section and base section; said sack including means for providing access for a hand; and means associated with said torso for manipulating at least one body part of the doll by said hand in the man. ner of a puppet.

4. The invention in accordance with claim 3, wherein said top section is provided with an opening means for engagement by the forefinger of the hand for moving said head.

5. The invention in accordance with claim 3, wherein said arms are substantially hollow and said sack includes means whereby the arms are adapted to be engaged in the hollow part thereof by the thumb and index finger for moving the arms.

6. The invention in accordance with claim 3, wherein said doll is clothed, and such clothes are so designed and arranged to provide access for the hand to be inserted into said sack.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 849,588 4/ 1907 West 46-154 1,595,203 10/ 1926 Leathers 46156 2,129,421 9/1938 Hales. 2,202,677 5/ 1940 Usinskis. 2,619,771 12/1952 Jones 46-454 2,760,303 8/1956 Del Mas. 3,010,253 11/1961 Ostrander.

RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner.

Claims

3. A DOLL COMPRISING IN COMBINATION: A TORSO INCLUDING A TOP SECTION AND A BASE SECTION, CONNECTION MEANS INTERMEDIATE SAID SECTIONS AND INTERCONNECTING BOTH SECTIONS WITH ONE ANOTHER, SAID CONNECTING MEANS COMPRISING A BALL MEMBER SAID SPRING MEANS INTERCONNECTING SAID BALL MEMBER WITH SAID TOP SECTION, SAID BASE SECTION AND BALL MEMBER HAVING INTERENGAGING SURFACES DEFINING A SUBSTANTIALLY SWIVEL JOINT, AND SAID CONNECTING MEANS FURTHER INCLUDING BIASING MEANS FOR URGING SAID BALL MEMBER RELATIVELY TOWARDS SAID BASE SECTION; A PAIR OF ARMS; MEANS FOR COUPLING SAID ARMS TO SAID TORSO; A PAIR OF