US20150283471A1

US20150283471A1 - Doll and Securable Fitted Head Accessary Combination

Info

Publication number: US20150283471A1
Application number: US14/678,770
Authority: US
Inventors: Karin R. Bergemann
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-04-03
Filing date: 2015-04-03
Publication date: 2015-10-08

Abstract

A doll and securable fitted head accessory combination designed to configure a doll in accordance users' aesthetic or posing preferences. doll and securable fitted head accessory combination includes a doll head, a doll body, a fitted head accessory, an annular groove, and an annular restraint. The doll body includes an upper torso. The doll head is mounted onto a neck of the upper torso. The annular groove traverses into and around a calvaria of the doll head. The annular restraint is mounted onto the fitted head accessory. The annular restraint engages the annular groove, removably securing the fitted head accessory to the doll head. Pulling a portion of the annular restraint, the user removes the annular restraint from the annular groove by rotating the annular restraint away from the doll head, removing the fitted head accessory. The fitted head accessory includes wigs, hats, ears, horns, fur, etc.

Description

The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 61/974,916 filed on Apr. 3, 2014.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a fully jointed doll and fitted head accessory combination. More specifically, the present invention is for a fully jointed doll that can be positioned in various natural poses combined with a fitted head accessory. The fitted head accessory, shown here with the accessory being an exchangeable wig, secures to the specially formed doll's head while also being able to be easily exchanged for aesthetic appeal and play functionality.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Dolls are traditionally known to be a popular children's toy as well as objects sought after by collectors. Dolls include various parts of the human body modeled after a human such as arms, legs, hands, and feet. They can be used to teach a child how to dress, care for an infant or small child, or as aesthetic collectible ornaments in addition to being objects to play with. In recent years, dolls have been made from wood, plastics, paper, porcelain, and other various materials. The use of these materials has traditionally created a rigid doll or one with limited maneuverability, where the doll is only able to be positioned in a few poses or limited to a single pose. Similarly, the hair for a doll is usually limited to a certain style and/or color as the hair is generally fixed into the head of the doll.
In past implementations of doll heads with wigs, the wig must be glued or adhered to the doll head such that the wig will not detach easily. Attaching the wig in this manner prevents the user from exchanging the wig easily during play or decorative scenarios. Some variations of dolls allow the user to switch the hair style through use of an exchangeable wig; however, traditionally, the wig for a doll is simply placed on top of the head of the doll. This unsecured configuration allows for the wig to slide around on the head and provides little support when a child grabs, pulls, or brushes the doll's hair. The force from the child pulling on the wig generally causes the wig to be removed from the doll. Even picking the doll up will often cause the wig to separate from the doll's head.
Other previous attempts at solving this issue have been tried with little success such as using a silicon wig cap or rubber band or balloon over the head to provide some friction. This may help a wig stay on a doll that is simply sitting on display but is little help for those actually wishing to play with a doll. Velcro has also been tried with poor results because the hair fibers of the wig becoming entangled within the hook and loop structure of the Velcro, making it difficult to remove and exchange for another wig. These previous attempts at solutions do allow for switching different hairstyles using wigs but do not work for securing the wig to the doll's head such that the doll may be able to be picked up by the hair or have the hair brushed while attached to the doll.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to introduce a fully jointed doll and fitted head accessory which remains in place when limited reasonable play scenario force is applied to the accessory, yet is easily removed to change the fitted head accessory for another style or design. An elastic annular restraint is integrated within the fitted head accessory which is attached to the calveria, or skullcap, of the posable doll head and seated securely into an corresponding annular groove integrated within the doll's head circumscribing the calveria. Properly seating this fitted head accessory with annular restraint inside the doll's head within the annular groove secures the accessory in place. Thus, allowing the accessory to remain on the head of the doll when limited reasonable play scenario force is applied from pulling, brushing, or holding the doll by the hair. The accessory is exchanged for a new accessory selected from easily replaceable alternate wigs with differing hairstyles, colors, and other accessories in accordance to the user's preference by unseating the annular restraint from the annular groove and seating the new chosen accessory made in the same fashion, with an annular restraint, in its place. The inclusion of the annular restraint within the fitted head accessory and the annular groove within the doll head is an improvement over previous solutions to secure a replaceable wig to endure stress from moderate play scenarios. Further, there is a second plurality of hair attached between the annular restraint in the wig version of an accessory that improves the aesthetics and function of the former generally accepted doll wig styling in the case where the fitted head accessory is a wig.
Further, the fully jointed doll with a fitted head accessory is able to be positioned in a plurality of poses in order to provide more natural positioning of the torso and extremities. For example, the doll is able to support itself balanced in a variety of standing positions or be maneuvered into a variety of sitting positions. The doll's arms are maneuverable while being able to remain in place after positioning to hold objects. Furthermore, this added posing flexibility makes it easier to dress and undress a doll. For example, the arms bend at both the elbow and wrist allowing the arm to be maneuvered into armholes and sleeves even when the head and one arm are already in place in a garment. For more rigid dolls, placing or removing a garment can prove difficult with the lack of maneuverability in the limbs. Thus, the present invention allows for additional play functionality, customizability, and therefore more enjoyment for children as well as collectors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of the present invention, wherein the fitted head accessory is a wig cap.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the present invention with the fitted head accessory removed.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the fitted head accessory, wherein the fitted head accessory is a wig cap.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the fitted head accessory, wherein the fitted head accessory is a wig cap. The second plurality of hair threads partially covers the rim of the wig cap.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the fitted head accessory, wherein the fitted head accessory is a wig cap. The second plurality of hair threads fully covers the rim of the wig cap.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the present invention, wherein a fitted head accessory is a wig cap and removed from the doll head.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the present invention, wherein a fitted head accessory engages the annular groove within the doll head, wherein the fitted head accessory is a wig cap.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the present invention detailing the path for both the first tensioning cord and the second tensioning cord within the present invention, wherein the fitted head accessory is removed.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
Traditionally, dolls are children's toys or objects sought after by collectors. Generally, dolls are made to have a limited range of motion or no range of motion depending on the construction material and design. The clothes, hair, and posture of dolls are similarly limited to predetermined designs where: clothes may be fixed to the dolls body; the hair is usually fixed to the head of the doll; or the dolls are limited to standing, seated, or prone positions individually depending on that doll's structural design and what the doll is made of. Previously, removable wigs or other head accessories do not allow a user to braid or brush the hair, or hold the doll upside down, as the previously removable wigs are not secured to the doll head. The present invention is for a fully jointed doll with a fitted head accessory which allows for customization and more play potential for hair styles, head accessories, and hair colors as well as customization of a greater number of positions and poses able to be held compared to traditional dolls.
In accordance to FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the present invention comprises a doll head 1, a doll body 2, a fitted head accessory 3, an annular groove 4, and an annular restraint 8. The doll head 1 mimics the shape and form of a human head. The doll body 2 comprises an upper torso 5. The upper torso 5 mimics the portion of the human torso from the pectoral muscles upward to the neck. Like a human head, the doll head 1 is pivotally and adjacently mounted onto a neck 28 of the upper torso 5. In accordance to an exemplary but preferred embodiment, the fitted head accessory 3 comprises a wig cap 6 and a first plurality of hair threads 7 as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. The wig cap 6 is preferably made with a woven material comprising an exterior surface 9 and an interior surface 10, as shown in FIG. 3. In accordance to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the first plurality of hair threads 7 is mounted onto the exterior surface 9 to mimic the look and texture of real hair. The first plurality of hair threads 7 is selected from a plurality of colors and doll hair fiber mediums, natural or synthetic, in accordance to the user's preference, as well as different hairstyles as shown between FIG. 4 and FIG. 6. The interior surface 10 interfaces with the doll head 1 at an annular groove 4, as shown in FIG. 7. The annular groove 4 traverses into the doll head 1 around a calvaria 31, or skullwig cap, of the doll head 1, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 6. The annular restraint 8 encircles and removably engages the annular groove 4, fastening the fitted head accessory 3 onto the doll head 1, as detailed in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7.
In accordance to the preferred embodiment, the fitted head accessory 3 comprises a wig cap 6, as shown in FIG. 3. The annular restraint 8 is mounted around the interior surface 10, by being sewn onto the wig cap 6. The wig cap 6 further comprises an apex 11 and a rim 12, wherein the apex 11 is the top convergence point of the wig cap 6 and the rim 12 is the outside annular edge of the wig cap 6 opposite from the apex 11. The annular restraint 8 is positioned between the apex 11 and the rim 12. To provide a more natural appearance, the fitted head accessory 3 further comprises a second plurality of hair threads 13, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. The second plurality of hair threads 13 is mounted on the interior surface 10 between the annular restraint 8 and the rim 12, in order to conceal the rim 12 and the annular restraint 8 allowing the hair to appear more natural as if it is growing out from the doll head 2 as human hair does.
In accordance to the preferred embodiment, the wig cap 6 is made from a flexible material. Further, the annular restraint 8 is elasticized to facilitate the ease of attachment and removal of the fitted head accessory 3 from the doll head 1. This elasticized annular restraint 8 constricts within the annular groove 4, removably securing the fitted head accessory 3 onto the doll head 1. In order to attach the fitted head accessory 3, a portion of the annular restraint 8 is placed into a portion of the annular groove 4. The user then stretches the fitted head accessory 3 across the doll head 1 into an opposite portion of the annular groove 4 such that the annular restraint 8 is evenly distributed about (or properly seated inside) the annular groove 4. When the annular restraint 8 engages the annular groove 4, a user is able to hold and pull on the doll with limited force, within the limits of a reasonable play scenario, keeping the wig cap 6 attached to the doll head 1. To exchange the fitted head accessory 3 for an alternately selected head accessory, the user grabs a portion of the fitted head accessory 3 adjacent to the annular restraint 8 pulling and stretching the annular restraint 8 out and away from the doll head 1. Once the portion of annular restraint 8 is disengaged from the annular groove 4, the user can rotate the fitted head accessory 3 away from the disengaged portion, pulling the annular restraint 8 from annular groove 4 as the fitted head accessory 3 is rotated to remove the fitted head accessory 3.
In some alternate embodiments of the present invention, the fitted head accessory 3 is made from a semi-rigid material. In these embodiments, the annular restraint 8, made from the same material as the fitted head accessory 3, traverses from the interior surface 10 at a point between the apex 11 and rim 12. The annular restraint 8 engages the annular groove 4 through a tongue and groove mechanism. In the tongue and groove mechanism the annular restraint 8 represents the tongue and the annular groove 4 represents the groove. The annular restraint 8 snaps into the annular groove 4, in a similar manner to a Tupperware lid and container. This mechanism similar to portions of a tongue and groove mechanism combined with portions of a coupler mechanism or O ring and pipe coupling. The O ring portion is permanently affixed to and jutting into the interior of a female pipe, representing by the wig cap 6 and the annular restraint 8, and the male pipe, represented by the doll head 1, which has a receiving annular groove traversing into the exterior of the pipe offset from an outer rim edge of the pipe. Similar to the preferred embodiment, the fitted head accessory 3 remains removable from the doll head 1 by pulling on the fitted head accessory 3 such that a portion of the annular restraint 8 is pulled out and away from the annular groove 4 and the fitted head accessory 3 is rotated away from the separation point.
In other alternate embodiments, the fitted head accessory 3 and the doll head 1 are both made from a rigid material. The annular restraint 8 comprises a first threaded portion and the annular groove 4 comprises a second threaded portion, wherein annular restraint 8 engages the annular groove 4 through the first threaded portion and the second threaded portion. Thus, the fitted head accessory 3 is able to be screwed onto or off from the doll head 1. The first threaded portion and the second threaded portion allow the fitted head accessory 3 to be secured onto the doll head 1, while maintaining the ease of removal to change the head accessory to the user's preference.
As previously mentioned, the present invention is customizable with respect to the positions, or poses, in which the doll can be configured. To facilitate customizing the present inventions position, the doll body 2 further comprises a lower torso 14, a hip portion 15, a left doll arm 16, a right doll arm 17, a left doll leg 22, and a right doll leg 23, in accordance to FIG. 2. As previously mentioned, the neck 28 is separate but adjacent to the doll head 1, such that the doll head 1 is able to pivot about the neck 28 side to side as well as up and down similar to a human head. The lower torso 14 mimics the stomach and lower back portion of the human body, while the hip portion 15 mimics the hips and posterior of the human body. The lower torso 14 is pivotally and adjacently engaged the upper torso 5, opposite the neck 28, and the hip portion 15 is pivotally and adjacently engaged to the lower torso 14, opposite the upper torso 5. The upper torso 5, the lower torso 14 and the hip portion 15 are arranged to allow the doll to bend forward or backward similar to how the abdominal and back muscles of the human body allow a person to bend forward or straighten upright.
Further in accordance to FIG. 2, the left doll arm 16 and the right doll 17 arm each comprise an upper arm 18, a forearm 19, a wrist 20, and a hand 21. The left doll arm 16 and the right doll arm 17 mimic the left doll arm 16 and the right doll arm 17 of the human body, respectively. The upper arm 18 is pivotally and adjacently engaged to the doll body 2, through a ball joint and oppositional stringing inside the doll body 2 at the upper torso 5 and the upper arm 18 to mimic the motion of the shoulder joint. The forearm 19 is hingedly and adjacently engaged to the upper arm 18, opposite to the doll body 2. In some embodiments, the present left doll arm 16 and the right doll arm 17 further comprise an elbow portion. The elbow portion allows further flexibility between the upper arm 18 and the forearm 19 mimicking an elbow of the human body. The elbow portion is positioned between the upper arm 18 and the forearm 19. The upper arm 18 and the forearm 19 are engaged to each other through the elbow portion. The hinged or ball jointed connection facilitates movement similar to the elbow of a human body. The hand 21 is pivotally and adjacently engaged to the forearm 19 through the wrist 20, opposite to the upper arm 18, similar to the wrist joint of the human body. The hand 21 is preferred to have a ball and socket joint connection to the wrist 20 in order to facilitate the similar movements of a human hand 21. While all of the jointing is preferred to be a ball and socket joint connection, the connection may include any type of connection while maintaining the integrity of the spirit of the invention.
The aforementioned left doll leg 22 and the aforementioned right doll leg 23 mimic the left leg and the right leg of the human body, respectively. Therefore, the left doll leg 22 and the right doll leg 23 each comprise an upper leg 24, a lower leg 25, an ankle 26, and a foot 27. The upper leg 24 is pivotally and adjacently engaged to the doll body 2, at a socket of the hip portion 15. The lower leg 25 is hingedly and adjacently engaged to the upper leg 24, opposite the doll body 2, similar to facilitate similar motion to the knee of the human body. In some embodiments, the present left doll leg 22 and the right doll leg 23 further comprise a knee portion. The knee portion allows further flexibility between the upper leg 24 and the lower leg 25 mimicking a knee of the human body. The knee portion is positioned between the upper leg 24 and the lower leg 25. The upper leg 24 and the lower leg 25 are engaged to each other through the knee portion. The foot 27 is pivotally and adjacently to the lower leg 25 through the ankle 26, opposite to the upper leg 24. The foot 27 is preferred to have a ball and socket joint connection to the ankle 26 in order to facilitate the similar movements of a human foot. While all of the jointing is preferred to be a ball and socket joint connection, the connection may include any type of connection while maintaining the integrity of the spirit of the invention.
In order to maintain the connections via oppositional force previously mentioned, the present invention further comprises a first tensioning cord 29 and a second tensioning cord 30, as shown in FIG. 8. The first tensioning cord 29 and the second tensioning cord 30 tether the aforementioned components of the present invention together while allowing them to be positioned in various aesthetic poses by placing oppositional tension on the jointed pieces. The first tensioning cord 29 is internally looped through the left doll leg about a foot 27 of the left doll leg 22. Similarly, the first tensioning cord 29 is internally looped through the right doll leg 23 about a foot 27 of the right doll leg 23. The first tensioning cord 29 traverses through the doll body 2 and is looped through the doll head 1 where the ends of the first tensioning cord 29 can be tied together creating a continuous loop in the first tensioning cord 29. More specifically, the first tensioning cord 29 internally traverses from the doll head 1 into the upper torso 5 through the neck 28 and subsequently through the lower torso 14 and into the hip portion 15. From the hip portion 15, the first tensioning cord 29 continues through the left doll leg 22 through the upper leg 24, the lower leg 25, the ankle 26 and the foot 27, where the first tensioning cord 29 loops around the foot 27. From the foot 27, the first tensioning cord 29 retraces the path through the left doll leg 22 and the doll body 2 back into the doll head 1, where the first tensioning cord 29 loops around the doll head and traverses back through the doll body 2 and similarly through the right doll leg 23. From the foot 27 of the right doll leg 23, the first tensioning cord 29 traces back to the doll head 1 where it is tied to form a continuous loop. The tension within the first tensioning cord 29 forces the doll head 1 to stay adjacent to the neck 28 while allowing the doll head 1 to pivot around the neck 28 and while securing various poses. Similarly, the tension within the first tensioning cord 29 forces the foot 27 from each of the left doll leg 22 and the right doll leg 23 onto the left doll leg 22 and the right doll leg 23, respectively. The force subsequently maintains the left doll leg 22 and right doll leg 23 adjacent to the doll body 2 for standing. The first tensioning cord 29 also allows the left doll leg 22 and right doll leg 23 to be positioned in many and varied poses while securing the positioning and holding the doll in a well balanced upright standing position within some pose configurations.
The second tensioning cord 30 is internally looped through the left doll arm 16 about a hand 21 of left doll arm 16. The second tensioning cord 30 traverses through the doll body 2, at the upper torso 5, and into the right doll arm 17. The second tensioning cord 30 is internally looped through the right doll arm 17 about a hand 21 of the right doll arm 17 and connected to itself to form a continuous loop with the second tensioning cord 30. The tension within the second tensioning cord 30 applies oppositional forces on the hand 21 of for each of the left doll arm 16 and the right doll arm 17 into the right doll arm 17 and left doll arm 16, respectively. Subsequently the tension within the second tensioning cord 30 forces the left doll arm 16 and the right doll arm 17 to be adjacent to the doll body 2. This force allows the left doll arm 16 and the right doll arm 17 to be positioned vertically above and below the doll head 1 as well as intermediate positions between. In addition, the ball joint allows the left doll arm 16 and the right doll arm 17 to be positioned offset from each other in a skewed orientation. This second tension cord 30 also applies force to the elbow jointing to keep the elbows affixed in a preferred pose.
While it is preferred that the present invention represents a human, it should be apparent that the doll body 2 includes but is not limited to animal, alien, mythical creature, or any other similarly conceivable representations. Similarly, the fitted head accessory 3 is preferred to be a wig cap 6 as previously mentioned; however, the fitted head accessory 3 can include, but is not limited to: hats, helmets, or other headwear; horns; ears, fur, similar to a wolf or cat for example; or any other appropriate headwear for the given selection of doll body 2.
Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A doll and securable fitted head accessory combination comprises:

a doll head;

a doll body;

a fitted head accessory;

an annular groove;

an annular restraint;

the doll body comprises an upper torso;

the doll head being adjacently mounted onto a neck of the upper torso;

the annular groove traversing into the doll head around a calvaria of the doll head;

the annular restraint being mounted to the fitted head accessory; and

the annular restraint encircling and removably engaging the annular groove.

2. The doll and securable fitted head accessory combination as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

the fitted head accessory comprises a wig cap;

the wig cap comprises an apex and a rim; and

the annular restraint being positioned in between the apex and the rim.

3. The doll and securable fitted head accessory combination as claimed in claim 2 comprises:

the fitted head accessory further comprises a first plurality of hair threads; and

the first plurality of hair threads being mounted on an exterior surface of the wig cap.

4. The doll and securable fitted head accessory combination as claimed in claim 2 comprises:

the head accessory further comprises a second plurality of hair threads; and

the second plurality of hair threads being mounted on an interior surface of the wig cap between the annular restraint and the rim.

5. The doll and securable fitted head accessory combination as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

the doll body further comprises a lower torso and a hip portion;

the lower torso being pivotally and adjacently engaged to the upper torso, opposite the neck; and

the hip portion being pivotally and adjacently engaged to the lower torso, opposite the upper torso.

6. The doll and securable fitted head accessory combination as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

a left doll arm;

a right doll arm;

the left doll arm and the right doll arm each comprise an upper arm, a forearm, a wrist, and a hand;

the upper arm being pivotally and adjacently engaged to the doll body;

the forearm being hingedly and adjacently engaged to the upper arm, opposite to the doll body; and

the hand being pivotally and adjacently engaged to the forearm through the wrist, opposite to the upper arm.

7. The doll and securable fitted head accessory combination as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

a left doll leg;

a right doll leg;

the left doll leg and the right doll leg each comprise an upper leg, a lower leg, an ankle, and a foot;

the upper leg being pivotally and adjacently engaged to the doll body;

the lower leg being hingedly and adjacently engaged to the upper leg, opposite to the doll body; and

the foot being pivotally and adjacently to the lower leg through the ankle, opposite to the upper leg.

8. The doll and securable fitted head accessory combination as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

a left doll leg;

a right doll leg;

a first tensioning cord;

the first tensioning cord being internally looped through the left doll leg about a foot of the left doll leg;

the first tensioning cord being internally looped through the right doll leg about a foot of the right doll leg;

the first tensioning cord traversing through the doll body; and

the first tensioning cord being looped through the doll head.

9. The doll and securable fitted head accessory combination as claimed in claim 1 comprises:

a left doll arm;

a right doll arm;

a second tensioning cord;

the second tensioning cord being internally looped through the left doll arm about a hand of the left doll arm;

the second tensioning cord being internally looped through the right doll arm about a hand of the right doll arm; and

the second tensioning cord traversing through the doll body.

10. A doll and securable fitted head accessory combination comprises:

a doll head;

a doll body;

a fitted head accessory;

an annular groove;

an annular restraint;

the doll body comprises an upper torso;

the fitted head accessory comprises a wig cap;

the wig cap comprises an apex and a rim;

the doll head being adjacently mounted onto a neck of the upper torso;

the annular restraint being mounted to the fitted head accessory;

the annular restraint encircling and removably engaging the annular groove; and

the annular restraint being positioned in between the apex and the rim.

11. The doll and securable fitted head accessory combination as claimed in claim 10 comprises:

the head accessory further comprises a first plurality of hair threads; and

12. The doll and securable fitted head accessory combination as claimed in claim 10 comprises:

the head accessory further comprises a second plurality of hair threads; and

13. The doll and securable fitted head accessory combination as claimed in claim 10 comprises:

the doll body further comprises a lower torso and a hip portion;

14. The doll and securable fitted head accessory combination as claimed in claim 10 comprises:

a left doll arm;

a right doll arm;

the upper arm being pivotally and adjacently engaged to the doll body;

15. The doll and securable fitted head accessory combination as claimed in claim 10 comprises:

a left doll leg;

a right doll leg;

the upper leg being pivotally and adjacently engaged to the doll body;

16. The doll and securable fitted head accessory combination as claimed in claim 10 comprises:

a left doll leg;

a right doll leg;

a first tensioning cord;

the first tensioning cord traversing through the doll body; and

the first tensioning cord being looped through the doll head.

17. The doll and securable fitted head accessory combination as claimed in claim 10 comprises:

a left doll arm;

a right doll arm;

a second tensioning cord;

the second tensioning cord traversing through the doll body.