Collapsible costumes
A costume assembly has one or more structures such as headgear structures, body structures or single composite structures. Each of these structures has at least one foldable frame member that has a folded and an unfolded orientation. Each frame member can include fabric material covering the frame member to define a panel. A fabric shell can be attached to the at least one frame member, with the fabric shell defining an interior for accomodating the body and head of the user.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to collapsible structures, and in particular, to collapsible clothing items and costumes that can be worn by adults and children.
2. Description of the Prior Art
There are presently many collapsible structures that are being provided for use by children and adults in a number of different applications. Examples of these collapsible structures are illustrated in the following patents: U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,816,954 (Zheng), 6,006,772 (Zheng), 5,778,915 (Zheng), 5,467,794 (Zheng), 5,975,101 (Zheng), 5,722,446 (Zheng), 4,858,634 (McLeese), 4,825,592 (Norman), 5,964,533 (Ziglar), 5,971,188 (Kellogg et al.), 6,485,344 (Arias), 6,343,391 (LeGette), U.S. Pub. No. 2004/0139997 (Zheng) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,038,812 (Norman), among others. These collapsible structures are supported by one or more frame members that can be twisted and folded to reduce the overall size of the structure. These collapsible structures can be used in a wide variety of applications, such as containers, tents, play structures, executive toys, shelters, sports structures, and others. As a result, collapsible structures have become very popular.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSUREIt is an object of the present invention to provide a collapsible structure that is used as a costume or clothing item.
In order to accomplish the objects of the present invention, the present invention provides a costume assembly having one or more structures such as headgear structures, body structures or single composite structures. Each of these structures has at least one foldable frame member that has a folded and an unfolded orientation. Each frame member can include fabric material covering the frame member to define a panel. A fabric shell can be attached to the at least one frame member, with the fabric shell defining an interior for accomodating the body and head of the user.
The following detailed description is of the best presently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating general principles of embodiments of the invention. The scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
As shown in
Referring to
The frame members 50 may be provided as one continuous loop, or may comprise a strip of material connected at both ends to form a continuous loop. The frame members 50 are preferably formed of flexible coilable steel, although other materials such as plastics may also be used. The frame members should be made of a material which is relatively strong and yet is flexible to a sufficient degree to allow it to be coiled. Thus, each frame member 50 is capable of assuming two positions or orientations, an open or expanded position such as shown in
Fabric or sheet material 52 extends across each respective panel 32, 34, 36, 38, and is held taut by the respective frame member 50 when in its open position. The term fabric is to be given its broadest meaning and should be made from lightweight but strong materials and may include cottons, woven fabrics, sheet fabrics, films and any material suitable for wearing as a costume. The fabric can be water-resistant, and should be durable to withstand the wear and tear associated with rough treatment. The frame members 50 may be merely retained within the respective frame retaining sleeves 48 without being connected thereto. Alternatively, the frame retaining sleeves 48 may be mechanically fastened, stitched, fused, or glued to the respective frame members 50 respectively, to retain them in position.
At the top side 46 and the bottom side 42 of each panel 32, 34, 36, 38, where there is no hinge connection to an adjacent panel, the frame retaining sleeve 48 may be formed by merely folding over the corresponding fabric piece and applying a stitching 56 (see
Openings 58 and 60 may be provided in some or all of the panels 32, 34, 36, 38. These openings 58 and 60 may be of any shape (e.g., triangular, circular, rectangular, square, diamond, etc.) and size. For example, each opening 58 can be positioned on the panel 34 and adapted to be aligned to the expected location of the users' eye, and the opening 60 can be positioned on the panel 34 and adapted to be aligned to the expected location of a users' mouth. As such, the panel 34 would be a face panel in that it would be adjacent the users' face. If desired, another opening 62 can be provided in the top fabric 64 for the user to extend his or her head out of the interior of the structure 22.
The fabric 52 on each of the panels 32, 34, 36, 38 can be provided with any desired decoration, design, pattern or indicia to provide a headgear with specific themes or identities.
While the structure 22 is shown and described as having four panels, each having four sides, it will be appreciated that the structure 22 may be made of any number of panels, each having any number of sides, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, each structure may have at least one panel (see
The structure 24 shown in
The top 84 and bottom 86 of the structure 24 can be left open (i.e., with no fabric or other coverings) so that the user can extend his or her torso through either the top 84 or the bottom 86. Each top 84 is bordered by the top side of each panel 74, 76, 78, 80, and each bottom 86 is bordered by the bottom side of each panel 74, 76, 78, 80. In addition, an opening (not shown) can be provided in the fabric 82 of the panels 74 and 78, and an arm sleeve 88 can extend from each opening in the fabric 82. The arms sleeves 88 can be made from fabric or other woven materials. The arm sleeves 88 can be provided with an end 90 that is opened for a users' hands to extend through, or can be closed with an ornamental feature 92, such as a robot hand as shown in
As an alternative, the panels 74, 78 can be provided in the form of the fabric material 82 that is connected directly to the panels 76, 80, so that the panels 74, 78 would not have any frame member 50 provided along their peripheries. Under this alternative, the structure 24 would have only two frame members 50, one each for the panels 76 and 80, and the structure 24 can be collapsed by merely pressing the panels 76, 80 against each other, tucking the fabric material 82 of the panels 74 and 78 between the panels 76 and 80, and then twisting and folding in the manner shown in
The structure 26 can be provided in the form of a frame member (not shown, but can be the same as 50) and a fabric wall 90. At the top of the structure 26 can be provided an annular sleeve 92 which houses a frame member, where the construction of the sleeve 92 and its frame member can be the same as that shown in
Thus, the user can dress up as a robot by wearing the structure 22 as a headgear, the structure 24 as a torso gear, and the structure 26 as a trouser or skirt. In addition, shoes 96 decorated to look like robot shoes can be sold or provided with the assembly 20 to complete the entire outfit.
The combined panels 100, 112, 114 can be collapsed by merely pressing the panels 100, 112, 114 against each other, tucking the fabric 118 between the corresponding panels, and then twisting and folding in the manner shown in
A fabric wall 144 can be connected between the peripheral edges of the panels 132, 134; for example, the fabric wall 144 can be connected to the sleeves 48 of the panels 132, 134. The configuration and size of the fabric wall 144 corresponds to the configuration and size of the panels 132, 134. For example, if the panels 132, 134 are generally circular, then the fabric wall 144 would be generally annular. If the panel 134 is smaller than the panel 142, then the fabric wall 144 would taper from a larger diameter near the panel 132 to a smaller diameter near the panel 134. Indicia 146 can be provided on the fabric wall 144. The indicia 146 can include advertising, decorations, or carry specific themes (e.g., a character). Openings 148 can be provided in the fabric wall 144 to allow a users' arms to extend out from the interior of the fabric wall 144.
An accessory panel 150 can be provided with the assembly 130. The panel 150 can have the same construction (but possibly a different shape and size) as the panel 100 of
The assembly 130 can be collapsed by merely pressing the panels 132, 134 (and 150) against each other, tucking the fabric wall 144 between the corresponding panels, and then twisting and folding in the manner shown in
A fabric wall extends around the edges 214, 216, 218, 220, 222, 224, 226, 228 to enclose the space defined by both overlapping frame members 202, 204. The fabric wall includes a top fabric portion 230 that extends between the top edges 214 and 216, and a front fabric portion 232 that extends between the edges 216 and 218 of the frame members 204 and 202, respectively. A rear fabric portion (not shown) can also be provided to extend between the edges 214 and 220 of the frame members 202 and 204, respectively. An opening 234 (or a meshed section which provides smaller openings) can be provided in the front fabric portion 232 at the expected location of the users' face to allow the user to see and breathe through. The space between the bottom edges 218, 220 can be left open so that the user can extend his or her head into the interior of the fabric wall. Indicia 236 such as body parts (e.g., eyeballs), decorations, words, patterns and themes can be provided on the fabric portions 230, 232.
A body section 240 can be connected to the bottom edges 218, 220 and extends as a dress or costume that is adapted to cover the length (or portions) of the users' torso and legs. The body section 240 can be configured in the form of any conventional costume, and can include sleeves, trouser legs, etc.
To fold and collapse the structure 200, the frame members 202 and 204 are pivoted about their overlapping locations 206, 208 (which act as pivot points) so that the two frame members 202, 204 lie in the same plane to form a stack of frame members 202, 204. The fabric wall can be flattened or folded so that the fabric wall lies in about the same plane as the combined stack of frame members 202, 204, or tucked between the frame members 202, 204. This combined stack of frame members 202, 204 and fabric wall can then twisted and folded in the manner shown in
A first set of tie members 316 are provided in spaced-apart manner along the first circular edge 312, and a second set of tie members 318 are provided in spaced-apart manner along the second circular edge 314. Each tie member 316, 318 can be embodied as two strings or thin pieces of fabric which can be tied together to create a knot, or as opposing straps that carry a VELCRO™ pad. Each set of tie members 316, 318 could comprise any number of tie members (including just one tie member), but preferably comprises at least two tie members.
The wire 308 is preferably made from the same material as the frame member 50 described above, which is capable of allowing the wire 308 to maintain its coiled shape. The covering 310 is preferably made from a strong durable fabric, such as cotton, canvas, mesh or net, but can also be made from other strong durable materials such as PVC or plastic.
The body portion 304 can be easily collapsed and folded for storage by compressing the tunnel-like body portion 304. Specifically, to compress the body portion 304, the user grips the circular edges 312, 314 with separate hands, and then pushes or compresses the circular edges 312, 314 towards each other. This compresses the plurality of helical coils of the wire 308 against each other, as shown in
As an alternative, the helical wire 308 can be replaced by a plurality of annular frame members 308a that are spaced apart along the length of the body portion 304. These annular frame members 308a can be the same as the frame member 50 described above, and housed in a sleeve 48 in the same manner shown in
The headgear 302 can be provided in the form of the headgear structure 22 in
A fabric shell 360 is connected to the edges of the frame members 352, 354 to define a head portion 362 and a body portion 364. The fabric shell 360 can be configured in the form of any conventional costume, and can include arm sleeves, trouser legs, etc.
To fold and collapse the structure 350, the frame members 352 and 354 are pivoted about their pivoting connection so that the two frame members 352, 354 are positioned one above the other to form a stack of frame members 352, 354. The fabric shell 360 can be flattened or folded so that the fabric shell 360 lies in about the same plane as the combined stack of frame members 352, 354. This combined stack of frame members 352, 354 and fabric wall 360 can then twisted and folded in the manner shown in
To deploy any of the collapsible structures shown herein from their folded and collapsed configuration, the user merely opens the concentric ring of frame members from
Water amusement features can be provided with any of the embodiments of the present invention. For example, referring to
While the description above refers to particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. The accompanying claims are intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.
Claims
1. A costume assembly, comprising:
- a headgear structure having a first foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, with a fabric material covering portions of the first frame member to form at least one panel when the first frame member is in the unfolded orientation; and
- a bodygear structure having a second foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, with a fabric material covering portions of the second frame member to form at least one panel when the second frame member is in the unfolded orientation.
2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the headgear structure includes a plurality of panels that are connected to form a ring of panels that define an enclosed space, with each panel having a separate foldable frame member.
3. The assembly of claim 1, further including a frame retaining sleeve for retaining each corresponding frame member.
4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein each frame member is twisted and folded to its folded orientation to reduce the overall size of the frame member.
5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein each frame member is continuous and enclosed.
6. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the plurality of panels are hingedly coupled to each other.
7. The assembly of claim 1, further including an arm sleeve.
8. The assembly of claim 1, further including a trouser gear structure having a third foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, with an annular fabric material extending from the third frame member.
9. A costume assembly, comprising:
- a panel having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, with a fabric material covering portions of the frame member to form the panel when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation;
- an opening provided in the fabric material for extending a users' head therethrough; and
- a shoulder support member provided adjacent the opening to support a users' shoulder.
10. The assembly of claim 9, further including sleeve straps provided adjacent the frame member.
11. The assembly of claim 9, further including an arm sleeve extending from the panel.
12. The assembly of claim 9, further including a second foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, with an annular fabric wall extending between the panel and the second frame member.
13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the annular fabric wall has an opening for extending a users' head therethrough.
14. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the annular fabric wall has an opening for extending a users' hand therethrough.
15. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the panel is a first panel, and further including:
- a second panel having a second foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, with a fabric material covering portions of the second frame member to form the second panel when the second frame member is in the unfolded orientation;
- an opening provided in the fabric material of the second panel for extending a users' body therethrough; and
- wherein each of the first and second panels defines a peripheral edge, and the first and second panels are connected to each other along their peripheral edges.
16. A costume assembly, comprising:
- a headgear structure having: a first closed foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation; a second closed foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation; wherein the first and second frame members each has opposite side edges and opposite top and bottom edges, and are oriented so that each frame member overlaps the other frame member at overlapping locations along the opposite side edges thereof to define an interior space; a fabric wall that extends around the side edges, the top edges and the bottom edges of the frame members to enclose the interior space; and
- a body section extending from the bottom edges of the frame members.
17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein the fabric wall includes a top fabric portion that extends between the top edges of the frame members, and a front fabric portion that extends between the top edge of the first frame member and the bottom edge of the second frame member.
18-22. (canceled)
Type: Application
Filed: May 6, 2008
Publication Date: Nov 12, 2009
Inventors: Yu Zheng (Walnut, CA), Rachel Lee Zheng (Walnut, CA), Alicia Lea Zheng (Walnut, CA)
Application Number: 12/151,434
International Classification: A41D 1/06 (20060101); A41D 1/00 (20060101); A42B 1/00 (20060101);