RELATED CASES This is a continuation-in-part of pending Ser. No. 12/932,081, filed Feb. 16, 2011.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to dolls and action figures, and in particular, to dolls having removable and replaceable heads and wigs, with each head having two separate faces. The heads and wigs can be replaced and/or adjusted to provided a variety of different doll heads.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Dolls and action figures have always been popular among boys and girls. Many girls have multiple dolls because they enjoy having different dolls with different characters. They may have a happy doll for certain situations, an action doll for other situations, and a sophisticated/dressy doll. Children will also dress up their dolls and action figures with different outfits, or (for dolls) change the hairstyle. Such variety and change is the essence of the fun and amusement that is derived from playing with dolls and action figures.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE It is one objective of the present invention to provide a doll assembly that has increased variety of play and amusement.
To accomplish the objectives set forth above, the present invention provides a doll assembly having a torso having a neck, at least one arm, and at least one leg. The doll assembly also has at least one head having a plurality of faces on different sides of the head, each face having one nose, one mouth, a pair of eyes and a pair of ears, the head further having a first connector at a bottom portion thereof that removably connects the neck, and a second connector at a top portion thereof. The head can be divided into an upper head and a lower head that can be pivotably rotated with respect to the upper head. The doll assembly further includes at least one wig having a wig connector that removably connects the second connector to secure the wig to the top portion of the head.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1A is a side plan view of a doll according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 1B is a side plan view of the doll of FIG. 1A shown wearing a wig.
FIG. 1C is a side plan view of the doll of FIG. 1A showing the other side of the doll.
FIG. 1D is a side plan view of the doll of FIG. 10 shown wearing a wig.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the head of the doll of FIG. 1A.
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing how the head of the doll of FIG. 1A can be removably secured to the torso of the doll.
FIGS. 4A-4D illustrate how the doll of the present invention and its assessories can be used.
FIGS. 5A-5D illustrate four different faces that can be used for the doll head of the present invention.
FIGS. 6A-6D illustrate four different wigs that can be used with the doll head of the present invention.
FIG. 7A is a side plan view of a doll head according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7B is a top plan view of the doll head of FIG. 7A.
FIGS. 8A-8C are three different side plan views of a doll head according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8D is a top plan view of the doll head of FIGS. 8A-8C.
FIG. 9 illustrates a wig that can be used with the doll assemblies of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a pin that can be used for the wig of FIG. 9.
FIGS. 11A-11D illustrate how the doll's face and the doll's hair can be changed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 12A-12D illustrate how the doll's face can be changed (without changing the hair) in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 13A-13D illustrate how the doll's wig or hair can be changed (without changing the face) in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14A is a perspective view of a modification that can be made to the doll head of the present application.
FIG. 14B is a side view of the doll head of FIG. 14A.
FIGS. 15A-15D illustrate how the doll's face on a head can be changed (without changing the hair) in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention where the head is divided above the nose.
FIGS. 16A-16D illustrate another way to change the doll's face on a head (without changing the hair) as an alternative to that shown in FIGS. 15A-15D.
FIGS. 17A-17D illustrate how the doll's hair or wig can be changed (without changing the face) in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 18A-18D illustrate how the doll's face and the doll's hair can be changed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 19A-19D illustrate how the doll's face on a head can be changed (without changing the hair) in accordance with an embodiment where the head is divided below the nose.
FIGS. 20A-22B illustrate another embodiment of the present invention, where the doll's head can be used with both faces showing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 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.
The present invention provides a doll assembly that allows the head to be removed and replaced by a different head. Each head is provided with two separate faces on opposite sides of the head so that the doll can assume two different identities or characters when the head is attached to the torso of the doll. In addition, a variety of different wigs can be removably secured to the top of each head to provide increased variety of play. The heads can also be configured so that each head is divided into an upper half and a lower half, and then adjusted so that a different upper head can be aligned with a different lower head.
Referring to FIGS. 1A-1D, the doll 10 has a torso 12 which includes arms 14 and legs 16, as with any conventional doll. The arms 14 and legs 16 can be provided with appendages so that the arms 14 and legs 16 can be pivoted and moved. A head 18 can be removably secured to the neck 20 of the torso 12 in the manner shown in FIG. 3.
Referring also to FIGS. 2 and 3, each head 18 has two faces 22a, 22b on opposite sides thereof. The two faces 22a and 22b are different, and in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A, the face 22a can be an ordinary and conventional face, while the other face 22b can be mysterious face. Therefore, a doll that has such a head 18 can be portrayed with having two different personalities. As shown in FIG. 1A, each head 18 has two pairs of eyes (one pair for each face), two pairs of ears (one pair for each face), two noses (one for each face), and two mouths (one for each face). An opening 24 is provided at the top of the head 18 for receiving a pin 26 from a replaceable wig 28. Another opening 30 is provided at the bottom of the head 18 for receiving a winged locking pin 32 that extends from the top of the neck 20 of the torso 12.
Referring now to FIGS. 1A-1D, 2, 3 and 4A-4D, the child can select any desired doll head 18, and then install the doll head 18 to the torso 12 by inserting the winged locking pin 32 through the opening 30. Thus, the opening 30 and the neck 20 (i.e., via the locking pin 32) function as connectors. Since the locking pin 32 is winged, the winged portions 34 can be flexed so as to allow the locking pin 32 to be inserted through the opening 30, with the winged portions 34 maintaining the doll head 18 at the neck 20 (see FIGS. 3 and 4A). Once the head 18 has been installed at the neck 20, the child can decide which face to feature by turning the head 18 around the neck 20 so that the selected face faces the front (see FIG. 4B). The child can then select the desired wig 28, and insert the pin 26 through the opening 24 to secure the wig 28 in a snap-fit connection at the top of the head 18 (see FIGS. 2 and 4C). Thus, the opening 24 and the pin 26 function as connectors. The wig 28 can rotated (if desired), or removed later to be replaced by a different wig 28. The child can also rotate the head 18 to select the other face, then rotate the wig 28 as needed, to change the face and/or the wig 28 being used. See FIGS. 1C, 1D and 4D.
A plurality of different heads 18 can be provided for use with a single torso 12. FIGS. 5A-5D illustrate four different faces. The faces shown in FIGS. 5A and 5D correspond to the two faces provided on the head 18 shown in FIGS. 1A-1D and 2-3, while the faces shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C can be the two faces provided on a different head 18.
Similarly, a plurality of different wigs 28 can be provided for use with the heads 18. FIGS. 6A-6D illustrate four different wigs that can be used with faces in FIGS. 5A-5D.
The head 18 can be provided with more than two faces. For example, FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate a doll head 18x having four separate and different faces 22c, 22d, 22e and 22f. Each face 22c, 22d, 22e and 22f has two pairs of eyes (one pair for each face), two pairs of ears (one pair for each face), four noses (one for each face), and four mouths (one for each face).
Similarly, FIGS. 8A-8D illustrate a doll head 18y having three separate and different faces 22g, 22h and 22i. Each face 22g, 22h and 22i has two pairs of eyes (one pair for each face), two pairs of ears (one pair for each face), three noses (one for each face), and three mouths (one for each face).
Referring now to FIGS. 9-10, the wig 28 has a semi-rigid silicon cap 100 that is configured and adapted to fit on the top of the doll's head 18. Hair 102 is secured to the top of the silicon cap 100, and a pin 26 extends from the center of the bottom of the cap 100. The pin 26 is provided with a ring 104 that has a slightly larger diameter than the diameters of the pin 26 and the opening 24 at the top of the head 18, so that the ring 104 can be pushed through the opening 24 and secured inside the head 18 by the ring 104.
FIGS. 11A-11D illustrate how the doll's face and the doll's hair can be changed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11A illustrates a doll's head 18 with a particular wig 28. In the first step (FIG. 11B), the head 18 can be turned by 180 degrees about the torso 12. In the second step (FIG. 11C), the existing wig 28 can be pulled off, and then replaced by a new wig 28 (see FIG. 11D).
FIGS. 12A-12D illustrate how the doll's face can be changed (without changing the hair) in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12A illustrates a doll's head 18 with a particular wig 28. In the first step (FIG. 12B), the head 18 can be turned by 180 degrees about the torso 12. In the second step (FIG. 12C), the existing wig 28 can be turned by 180 degrees. FIG. 12D illustrates the new face with the same hair/wig 28.
FIGS. 13A-13D illustrate how the doll's wig or hair can be changed (without changing the face) in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13A illustrates a doll's head 18 with a particular wig 28. In the first step (FIG. 13B), the wig 28 is removed and replaced with a new wig 28 (see FIG. 13C). FIG. 13D illustrates the new wig 28 with the same face.
The doll head 18 can be modified to allow the head to be divided into two different sections, an upper head and a lower head. This allows the user to be able to take one doll head having two faces, and derive four different faces therefrom. Referring to FIGS. 14A and 14B, the doll head 118 can be divided into an upper head 118a and a lower head 118b. The doll head 118 is shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B as being divided just beneath the nose, although it is also possible to divide the doll head 118 above the nose, as will be illustrated in the embodiments in FIGS. 15-18 hereinbelow. An opening 120 is provided in the top surface 122 of the lower head 118b, which is adapted to receive a flexible V-shaped locking mechanism 124 from the bottom of the upper head 118a that has two wings 126. The locking mechanism 124 can be inserted into the opening 120 so that its wings 126 extend outwardly inside the opening 120, thereby securing the upper head 118a to the lower head 118b in a manner which allows the upper head 118a and the lower head 118b to be rotated with respect to each other. The lower head 118b can be connected to the torso 12 in the same manner as for the head 18 described above.
FIGS. 15A-15D illustrate how the doll's face on a head 118 can be changed (without changing the hair) in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15A illustrates a doll's head 118 with a particular wig 28. In the first step (FIG. 15B), the upper head 118a can be turned by 180 degrees about the lower head 118b. This differs from FIGS. 12A-12D in that only the upper half of the face is being changed, as opposed to FIGS. 12A-12D where the entire face is changed. In the second step (FIG. 15C), the existing wig 28 can be turned by 180 degrees. FIG. 15D illustrates the new face with the same hair/wig 28.
FIGS. 16A-16D illustrate another way to change the doll's face on a head 118 (without changing the hair) as an alternative to that shown in FIGS. 15A-15D. FIG. 16A is the same as FIG. 15A, and illustrates a doll's head 118 with a particular wig 28. In the first step (FIG. 16B), the lower head 118b can be turned by 180 degrees about the torso 12. In the second step (FIG. 16C), the wig 28 can be turned by 180 degrees with respect to the upper head 118a. FIG. 16D illustrates the new face with the same hair/wig 28, which differs from the face in FIG. 15D.
Another alternative is to turn the upper head 118a with respect to the lower head 118b in the second step (corresponding to FIG. 16C), which would result in a different face from the faces in FIGS. 15D and 16D.
FIGS. 17A-17D illustrate how the doll's hair/wig 28 can be changed (without changing the face) in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 17A illustrates a doll's head 118 with a particular wig 28. In the first step (FIG. 17B), the wig 28 is removed. In the second step (FIG. 17C), a different wig 28 is coupled to the head 118. FIG. 17D illustrates the new hair/wig 28 with the same face.
FIGS. 18A-18D illustrate how the doll's face and the doll's hair can be changed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 18A illustrates a doll's head 118 with a particular wig 28. In the first step (FIG. 18B), the lower head 118b can be turned by 180 degrees about the torso 12 and about the upper head 118a in a manner where the upper head 118a is maintained in the same orientation. In the second step (FIG. 18C), the existing wig 28 can be pulled off, and then replaced by a new or different wig 28 (see FIG. 18D).
FIGS. 19A-19D correspond to FIGS. 15A-15D, and illustrate how the doll's face on a head 118 can be changed (without changing the hair) in accordance with an embodiment where the head 118 is divided below the nose. FIG. 19A illustrates a doll's head 118 with a particular wig 28. In the first step (FIG. 19B), the upper head 118a can be turned by 180 degrees about the lower head 118b. In the second step (FIG. 19C), the existing wig 28 can be turned by 180 degrees. FIG. 19D illustrates the new face with the same hair/wig 28.
Similarly, the embodiments shown in FIGS. 16-18 can be implemented with a doll's head 118 where the head 118 is divided below the nose. The same steps shown and described in connection with FIGS. 16-18 can be applied to such a head 118 as well.
FIGS. 20A-22B illustrate another embodiment of the present invention, where the doll's head can be used with both faces showing. In the embodiments of FIGS. 1-19, the wigs 28 were provided in a manner and construction such that the long hair at the back of the wig 28 covered one (i.e., the rear) of the faces. In FIGS. 20A and 20B, a wig 228 is provided that has two side tails but no hair covering either face. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 20A and 20B, both faces are visible to the user, with FIG. 20A showing a front face and FIG. 20B showing a rear face. FIGS. 21A and 21B illustrate how the wig 228 can be lifted and pivoted by 180 degrees so that the front face of FIG. 20A is now shown with a different side of the wig 228 in FIG. 22B, and the rear face of FIG. 20B is now shown with a different side of the wig 228 in FIG. 22A.
Thus, the present invention provides a doll assembly that allows the user to change the face of a doll so that the doll can assume different personalities and/or identities. In addition, by allowing different wigs to be removably coupled to the head(s), the user can accompany the change in personality and/or identity of the doll by an appropriate change in the hair color and style.
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.
