Textile fastening toy system
The present invention relates to a toy figure around which textiles can be wrapped and attached comprising: at least one opening formed on a surface of said toy figure, an elastic member formed to cover each opening wherein a wavy incision is formed on each elastic member and the elastic member is exposed and visible from the opening.
This application is a continuation-in-part application pursuant to 37 C.F.R. 1.53(b) claiming priority in part from application Ser. No. 12/327,935.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a fastening system that allows for removably securing textiles to toy figures and accessories for purposes of creating new designs and garments for doll figures and related accessories.
2. Description of the Related Art
Changing garments and accessories on dolls and figures is an activity that has long been a source of entertainment and play for children. Prior art dolls and toy figures require the use of pre-constructed pieces of textiles that must be sized specifically to the dimensions of a particular doll or figure. Doll garments for one doll manufacturer are not likely to fit a doll from another manufacturer.
Another shortcoming of prior art doll garment play systems is that they only allow for limited input and creativity from the user in creating and imagining the doll figure fashion designs unless intricate sewing, cutting, and/or gluing is undertaken. Because doll garments are purchased as finished products, a user cannot modify or alter the design or style of prior art garments. A user may become disinterested with prior art doll garment systems because of his/her lack of interactivity with the doll fashions. As a result, prior art dolls and garment systems may only serve as a short lived source of entertainment for a child user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAccordingly, there is a need in the art for a system that allows users to use their imagination and creativity for designing fashion garments from unfinished pieces of textiles. There is an additional need to provide a system that quickly and easily allows users to create fashions for dolls and figures of different sizes and dimensions without the need for sewing, cutting, or gluing.
The present invention addresses the above shortcomings of the prior art by providing a versatile textile fastening system. Textiles may be inserted within the fastening system removably held in place. The toy figure may be provided in a variety of shapes and embodiments including a mannequin figure, dog figure, bag figure, petticoat figure, and capsule unit.
The elastic members7 each comprise a wavy incision12 formed in the center of the member. It is preferable that the incision be shaped in a wavy form that is bilaterally swaying along the longitudinal direction of the elastic member. By forming the incision in such a manner, textiles are more securely held than if the incision was formed in a simple linear fashion. To further secure textiles, the thickness of the elastic member may be increased so as to increase the contact area between the elastic member and the textiles.
While the wavy incision provides for the optimal retention of textiles, the incision may be formed in other shapes such as a zig-zag pattern or completely vertical pattern and still fall within the scope of the invention.
The holes10 provided on the outer edge of each elastic member are arranged at positions directly opposing the projections9 provided on the inside surface of the backside member. Fitting the projections onto the holes, respectively, the elastic member can be fixed so as to cover the opening of the backside member from the inside. The elastic member may be attached to the projections through attachment means known in the art such as glue, screws, rubber cement, or other adhesive materials. In the preferred embodiment, the elastic member may be constructed from a silicone resin or other elastic materials known in the art.
The front face member complements the backside member. When the back side member and front face member are joined, a mannequin figure is formed.
It is not necessary that textile used with the present invention come from a particular manufacturer or have specific dimensions. The configuration of the opening and corresponding elastic member represents a novel and inventive feature that can be used with a wide array of textiles of differing textures, shapes, and sizes.
In the alternative embodiment of the mannequin, the elastic member may not be as firmly attached to the inside surface of the backside member, however, it may be sufficiently stable in order to hold textiles.
Projections9 surround the periphery of the openings on the internal face of the front and back panel. Holes on the elastic member correspond to the protrusions to enable the secure attachment of the elastic member to the openings. A wavy incision is formed in a longitudinal direction within the elastic member. The elastic members may be securely attached to the internal face of the openings through means known in the art such as screws, glue, or other adhesive materials.
An alternative embodiment of the petticoat figure may comprise modified openings and elastic members, with the openings lacking projections and the elastic member lacking holes. Similar to the alternative embodiment of the mannequin, attachment of the elastic member to the openings in this alternative embodiment of the petticoat may be accomplished using screws, glue, or other adhesive materials known in the art.
Practice of the petticoat embodiments of the invention may be conducted in the same manner as the mannequin figure. Textiles may be wrapped around the petticoat figure and a slack portion of the textile may be inserted within the wavy incision of the elastic members. Using the petticoat embodiment of the invention, different skirt designs having full and voluminous shapes may be created by changing the textiles to be wrapped around the petticoat figure. The petticoat may further be disassembled and attached to other figures such as the mannequin or the dress form that is the subject of application Ser. No. 12/327,935, to which this application is a continuation-in-part and incorporated herein by reference.
The dog figure embodiment of the present invention is practiced in the same manner as the mannequin and petticoat embodiments. Textile may be wound around the body of the dog and inserted into the wavy incision of the elastic member on the torso area of the dog. The user may create a variety of different wrappings to cover the dog. The dog figure may be constructed from ABS or other rigid plastic known in the art.
The bag comprises an opening on the underside of the bag. The elastic7 member may be visible on the underside of the bag as well. Practice of the bag embodiment may be accomplished by wrapping textile around the bag and inserting a slack portion of the textile into the wavy incision of the elastic member.
A push-in member as shown in
It should be noted that while the preferred embodiments of the present invention are set forth in
Claims
1. A toy figure around which textiles can be wrapped and attached comprising:
- at least one opening formed on a surface of said toy figure; an elastic member formed to cover each opening wherein a wavy incision is formed on each elastic member and the elastic member is exposed and visible from the opening.
2. The toy figure of claim 1 wherein each opening further comprises at least two projections formed on its periphery; and each elastic member includes at least two holes formed at positions opposing the projections, respectively.
3. The toy figure of claim 2 wherein the toy figure has a mannequin shaped form comprising a torso, legs, arms, and a head; and the openings are formed on the surfaces of the torso and the legs of the mannequin.
4. The toy figure of claim 1 wherein the toy figure has a dog shaped form comprising a dog head, fore legs, and hind legs; and the opening is formed on the body of the dog.
5. The toy figure of claim 1 wherein the toy figure has a bag shaped form.
6. The toy figure of claim 5 wherein the opening is provided on the bottom surface of the bag shaped form.
7. The toy figure of claim 1 wherein the toy figure has a petticoat shaped form.
8. The toy figure of claim 1 wherein the toy figure has a capsule unit shaped form.
9. The toy figure of claim 2 wherein the toy figure has a capsule unit shaped form.
10. The toy figure of claim 1 wherein the toy figure has a mannequin shaped form comprising a torso, legs, arms, and a head; and the openings are formed on the surfaces of the torso and the legs of the mannequin.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 18, 2010
Publication Date: Oct 14, 2010
Inventors: Mariko Takano (Tochigi), Midori Itou (Kanagawa), Saki Kawai (Tokyo), Yoshitaka Shido (Tokyo), Eriko Ito (Tokyo), Sayaka Kuroda (Tokyo), Danielle N. Armbrust (Long Beach, CA), Penny Christine Towne-Vowles (Lakewood, CA), Veronica Sandoval (Cerritos, CA)
Application Number: 12/803,108
International Classification: A63H 3/08 (20060101);