Abstract: The invention relates to play equipment, in particular for inferior spaces and small children, comprising at least one portable play equipment, having a thin, stable core element which—viewed from the side—is arched and, in the direction of the arch, is flat and flexibly ductile at least in sections, and an at least one-piece protective sheath made from a material which is soft and flexible at least in sections, preferably from foam, which is fastened in contact at least to the arched outer surface, preferably to the arched outer surface and the arched inner surface of the core element and protrudes beyond the edges of the arched core element extending in the direction of the arch and beyond the two ends thereof, and forms a flexible protection buffer, which can be pressed in, against risk of injury, and/or an interior space protective buffer, the end sections of which each form at least one flexible clamping and/or protection lip of the play element in the direction of the arch.

Abstract: The invention is a poseable doll and methods of making a poseable doll. The doll includes an internal wire that extends across a torso region widthwise and into both arms. Two wires extend separately into each leg, through the torso, and into the head of the doll. Alternatively, a single wire can be bent with its bend in the head so that the bent single wire can extend through the central region and into both of the legs. Terminal ends of all the wires can be curled. The method may include retrofitting a non-poseable doll in some embodiments.

Abstract: A fishing lure has an elastomeric or soft plastic body containing multiple suction features along its surface. By being capable of sticking to the roof of the fish's mouth or the fish's tongue, the suction features help increase the chance that the lure remains in the fish's mouth a few more seconds prior to an angler's hookset. The combination of the suction features' tactile feel and their adhering ability results in a unique advantage for any type of soft plastic fishing lure.

Abstract: A combination has a flat fabric doll with applied grommets for attaching reversible clothing and accessories. A doll head and torso joins by sewing to a front surface with arms and legs extending from beneath and adding depth to the doll. Grommets join to the torso and to reversible clothing. A brad or button threaded with pipe cleaner passes through the reversible clothing grommet and the doll torso grommet and exits the rear surface and bends for securement. A grommet applied above the head on the front surface receives a fabric loop for holding flat a doll during play. The invention also has another loop or label upon the rear surface that secures the doll to a stand by slipping over an upright pole of the stand.

Abstract: One or more methods, apparatuses, and/or systems are disclosed herein for selectively grasping one or more target objects. The apparatus includes a string and a winding mechanism. The winding mechanism is configured to selectively unwind and wind the string, wherein a first portion of the apparatus is configured to be separated from a second portion of the apparatus when the string is unwound and wherein the first and second portions are configured to be adjacent to one another when the string is wound. A plurality of members are pivotally mounted to the apparatus and operably coupled to the winding mechanism, wherein the plurality of members are configured to grasp an object responsive to actuation of a button that is located within an area defined by the plurality of members.

Abstract: A doll includes a body which is formed by two body cases and two flexible members are clamped by the two body cases. A flexible neck is connected to the top of the body and a head is connected to the flexible neck. Two arms are respectively connected to two arm ends of the two flexible members and each arm is composed of two arm cases. Two hands are pivotably connected to the two arms. The doll can be assembled quickly and firmly without using any nail. The arms, legs and head can be moved naturally to increase the value of the doll.

Abstract: A figurine include a ductile core and a flexible protective covering. The figurine is configured to plastically deform in response to moderate bending force that is within the capabilities of an average human. The figurine is configured to have less than 5% springback.

Abstract: Described are novel armature kits, constructions and elements, providing increased flexibility in design and ease of use. In one aspect, inventive armatures include adaptations to isolate the tensioning of ball-and-socket joints occurring at either end of a motion segment. In other aspects, inventive armatures and kits include uniquely shaped plates, providing interchangeability among chest and hip areas of a human form. Novel threaded and tie-down armature elements are also described.

Abstract: Improvements made to patent N° P200601904 relating to a doll having a flexible, positionable internal structure, comprising a plastic-covered copper cable (5) forming the skeleton of the doll, formed by a wire, the ends (5a and 5b) of which are disposed in the doll's head (2). The wire is coiled around itself such as to extend from the head to all of the parts of the doll, including the arms (6) and the legs (7), and back into the head (2), thereby forming to-and-fro (continuous) dual (twisted) segments with rounded ends (5c) located inside the hands (3) and feet (4). The wire is in turn provided with a cover (9) in the form of a cable sheath made from latex or silicon that is applied thereto by means of immersion or injection.

Abstract: An improved posable figure having extended life and resistance to failure, and being repeatedly posable in a realistic fashion. The posable figure has an inner skeleton including one or more primary members constructed of a bendable material such as metal wire, and an outer molded body covering constructed of a flexible substance such as an elastomer material. The inner skeleton also may include one or more secondary members molded over portions of the primary members, to limit flexion of the primary members and/or to connect the primary members to form an articulated structure.

Abstract: A sculpture skeleton includes a hollow body, a spring one end of which is extended into a hollow head to securely engage with an inner periphery of the hollow head, a first resilient wire, a second resilient wire diagonally extending through the hollow body so as to extend through the chest portion and the abdomen portion of the hollow body, an arm portion and a leg portion respectively mounted around a portion of the first resilient wire and of the second resilient wire which extend out of the chest portion of the hollow body and a base having multiple apertures defined through a side face thereof to allow extension of the first resilient wire, the second resilient wire and the third resilient wire so as to be positioned on top of the base.

Abstract: A manipulative tool for demonstrating the relative positions and configurations of articulators and other oral structures, when making phonetic sounds. The tool comprises a tongue, upper and lower palate, and upper and lower teeth, as well as, adjustable and positional lips, any one of which may be manipulated and posed so as to retain placement once released by a user. In this regard, the manipulative tool is used to demonstrate proper formation of certain phonetic sounds to assist in speech therapy or training of persons who are affected by speech impediments, or to assist in the training of future clinicians.

Abstract: A toy for teaching sign language includes a body with a thoracic portion and a lower limb portion that are movable between rotated and stationary positions. The present invention further includes metacarpals provided with a wire frame passing therethrough, which makes them flexible for defining various sign language movements. The present invention further includes a facial section with an oral section that is adaptable to provide various expressions via a wire frame. The facial section further includes eyebrow sections that are adaptable to a corresponding position as the oral section changes shape. The present invention may further include a simulated hearing aid and fastener for removably affixing the hearing aid to the facial section.

Abstract: An improved posable figure, having extended life and resistance to failure, and being repeatedly posable in a realistic fashion. The posable figure includes an inner armature constructed of a plurality of strands of wire, and an outer molded body covering constructed of a flexible substance such as a thermoplastic material, commonly a soft polyvinyl chloride material. The armature includes a plurality of junctures, which may be spot welded, connecting the strands of wire to form an articulated structure.

Abstract: An improved posable figure, having extended life and resistance to failure, and being repeatedly posable in a realistic fashion. The posable figure includes an inner armature constructed of a plurality of strands of wire, and an outer molded body covering constructed of a flexible substance such as a thermoplastic material, commonly a soft polyvinyl chloride material. The armature includes a plurality of junctures, which may be spot welded, connecting the strands of wire to form an articulated structure.

Abstract: A bendable portion for a toy figure includes a bendable internal piece, a first rigid element coupled to the bendable internal piece to prevent it from being bent in the region to which the first rigid element is coupled, and a resilient outer layer covering the bendable internal piece and the first rigid element. The bendable internal piece has a shape that permits the bendable internal piece to be bent about a first axis to establish different configurations, that retains those configurations after being bent, and that impedes bending of the bendable internal piece about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis such that a force required to bend the bendable internal piece about the second axis is more than twice a force required to bend the bendable internal piece about the first axis. The resilient outer layer defines an outer surface of the bendable portion.

Abstract: A decorative-article structure made from winding metallic wires and being rotatable under solar energy, it includes a specifically designed main body formed by winding metallic wires, and includes a solar energy board and a motor at proper positions on the main body, a decorative housing covers the motor, the housing is glued with a patterned sticker formed by laser. When the solar energy board absorbs light source and supplies power for the motor, the motor will drive housing to rotate, the laser formed sticker on the top of the housing will reflect light to generate various colors, the metallic main body will generate vibrations during activating of the motor, and create the feature of extremely interesting visual sensation.

Abstract: A method of holding plants to a stake is provided. A posable figure preferably having a plurality of elongate positionable appendages is provided. The posable figure preferably has an internal bendable wire frame and external relatively soft body, appendage, and head portions surrounding the wire frame. In addition, the figure is preferably a whimsical figure, such as a fanciful frog, garden bug, or farmer. A stake is inserted into the soil or other ground or potting material adjacent the plant. Then a pair of appendages of the figure are positioned on either side of the plant stem and stake and bent about the plant stem and the stake. The process is preferably repeated for additional appendages. The method provides a quick, easy, and decorative manner for safely holding a plant to a stake. A kit of posable figures is also provided for practicing the method of the invention.

Abstract: An alternative medicine elements package in which a soft sculpture doll having a body portion and at least two arm-like appendages attached to the body portion includes a magnet in each of the arm-like appendages and a copper strip that extends through the body portion and into each of the arm-like appendages.

Abstract: This invention relates to soft dolls and animals formed of groups of stuffed segments on flexible cores. The torso, arms and legs of the doll are formed by different groups of stuffed segments on flexible cores. The segments in each group are sewn together and segments of the torso are sewn to segments in the arms and legs. A head is attached to the torso.

Abstract: A bendable and posable toothbrush toy has a toothbrush portion detectably secured to a handle portion in the form of an animate character. At least part of the character handle is posable, preferably the arms thereof, by providing a wire insert within the resilient material from which the character handle is molded. The toothbrush can therefore be changed to a variety of different poses, and different character handles can be interchanged. The toothbrush proper secures to the interchangeable handle by a twist-and-lock mechanism which allows young users to simply and detectably fasten the toothbrush portion to the handle portion at a precise relative angular orientation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improvements in articles useful as desk ornaments or toys which are in the form of caricatures having faces and arms made of elastomeric materials and reinforced with wire in a manner such that the article can be manipulated to selectively achieve a wide variety of moods or expressions.

Abstract: A stuffed toy animal using hand-bendable 3/8 inch flat bands to internally support bulk material about the body location of the toy animal and within an outer fabric cover, and using only the bands in depending appendages, such as legs, of the toy animal since the band width effectively simulates the appearance of legs and requires no bulk padding, to thereby significant, reduce manufacturing costs.

Abstract: An adjustable armature assembly device is disclosed where the assembled armature may be adjusted rotationally and longitudinally during figure modeling when a sculptor desires to alter the original figure composition and size. In addition, a means for detaching sections of a work during and after the sculpting process is disclosed. An embodiment of the invention comprises a plurality of appendage members, of hand and feet members, a torso member, a head member and inner surface threaded or unthreaded tubular sleeve segments used to assemble, adjust and disassemble armature appendages. Also, the head member is adjusted rotationally and longitudinally and can be removed by screw means and the armature is removed from a support structure by screw means using a threaded connector segment so that no unwanted armature protrusion extends from a completed work of art.

Abstract: A figure configured in the shape of human or animal with multiple repositionable parts is disclosed. The figure is made of two kinds of soft resilient materials, one is of extra softness to be placed in the joint areas; the other is of average softness to be placed in all other areas. Coated on the surface of the figure is rubber or rubber-like resilient material which can be textured and colored. Running through the torso and various parts of the figure are single or multiple internal flexible wires or braided wires. Rigid bars are bonded to the internal flexible wires or braided wires in the nonflexible parts. By protruding rigid bars into a joint from both proximal and distal aspects of joint, and not bonding protruded parts of rigid bars to the internal flexible wires, one can restrict direction and range of the bendability of the joint. A coil encases the internal flexible wires or braided wires within the repositionable joints to extend the life of the internal flexible wires or braided wires.

Abstract: A self-supporting, two-legged figure includes an armature with leg wires of stiffly bendable material, extending a substantial distance into the torso preferably at least 3/4 of the way to the head end of the torso a body supported by the leg wires and feet assemblies fixedly connected to a lower end of each of the leg wires. The body includes a head, hands, a torso and arms that may be part of the hands. The head and hands are made of clay, and are generally at least twice as heavy as the torso, making the figure top-heavy. At least one of the feet assemblies has a lower surface for engaging a support surface but independent of the support surface. The feet assemblies weigh more than the entire rest of the figure, and have an effective support surface-engaging area to support the body in an erect or standing condition.

Abstract: The present invention features a snake toy having an illumination apparatus in its mouth. The body of the snake toy has an inner, flexible, corrugated tube of metal or plastic. The flexible corrugation is easily twisted in order to provide different shapes or configurations for the snake body. In this fashion, the snake can be shaped to stand alone upon a table or to wrap around handlebars of a bicycle or the back of a chair, for example. Likewise, the snake can be easily carried about one's person by wrapping it about the neck, arm, or leg. The twisting and shaping capability also serves as a means by which the illumination from the built-in flashlight can be focused or directed upon an object or a particular spot. By shaping the snake, one can direct the light emanating from the snake's mouth onto the page of a book, for instance. The inner tube of the snake's is covered by soft polyester batting, which is further overlaid with an outer cloth shell.

Abstract: A toy doll which can be draped over an exterior structure and remain on that exterior structure during its period of usage. The toy doll can use the appendages of the doll as a further securing arrangement on the exterior structure. The head section of the doll is to be freely movable relative to the body section of the doll.

Abstract: The present invention teaches an inflatable body representative of at least the upper portion of a human form including a plastic inflatable exoskeleton with and inner side and an outer side molded to represent a torso, a head and appendages. Additionally, inserting means are located on either the inside or the outside of the plastic exoskeleton and are capable of receiving elongated inserts. These elongated inserts may be flexible wire, wooden dowels, plastic rods or any other suitable material. In a preferred embodiment, fasteners (preferably Velcro.RTM.) are attached to the outside of the plastic exoskeleton in the torso region and the appendage regions to hold the appendages in any number of desired positions. In another preferred embodiment, the appendages may include a hand equipped with fasteners which allow that hand to grasp and hold an object.

Abstract: A figurine picture frame in the shape of a mammal having a body portion with a head portion positioned relative to the body portion and supported thereby, the head portion being configured to receive and support a picture for display.

Abstract: A torsional joint armature for poseable figure is formed of a one-piece molded plastic material fabricated from a malleable nonelastic deformable material. The armature is articulated by a plurality of molded joints each of which includes one or more torsional deformation elements to provide the appropriate bending characteristics of the armature. Certain joints are provided with additional motion limiting webs to restrict joint motion in undesired directions.

Abstract: A poseable toy animal including at least a pair of flexible limbs formed in part by skeletal-like structure including a pair of flexible members extending downwardly from a generally inverted U-shaped frame including a pair of downwardly extending support members and formed in part by flexible material surrounding the flexible members and which flexible members and flexible material may be bent into different shapes to provide the animal with different poses.

Abstract: A posable figure includes a one-piece integrally molded armature defining a plurality of integrally molded joint members which provide articulation of the elements of the armature. A one-piece molded skin, preferably formed of a plastic or rubber material, is molded about the armature as a single unitary covering completely enclosing the armature with the exception of the hand and foot portions thereof. The various molded joints of the armature are structured to provide the desired limitations on articulation to duplicate a human figure.

Abstract: A toy figure having a body consisting of a plurality of fabric discs simulating ruffles superposed one upon the other and centrally mounted on an elastic strip, the elastic having abutments at its ends, to prevent the discs from escaping, the discs acting as a spacer to maintain the elastic in a stretched state.

Abstract: Three-dimensional, reconfigurable playthings or blocks may be interconnected in a myriad of designs. A plurality of generally flat blocks of substantially uniform thickness in varying geometric outlines and contours are interconnected through the utilization of defined notches in one or more sides of any of the blocks to be configured. Generally, the notch is substantially equal to the thickness of the various blocks so that they may be interconnected in an orthogonal fashion. Additionally, the blocks, through the utilization of the notch, may be configured in a generally cantilevered fashion through the use of two or more points for contact friction fitting. Use of flexible materials enhances the safety of the blocks in an environment of a children's toy, and additional embodiments utilizing ribbed notches further enhance the interconnection of the blocks to allow additional exercise of imagination in configuring designs.

Abstract: An imaginary humanoid toy is disclosed including a body portion and a shell portion. The shell portion includes a plurality of arcuate shell segments, each of which is pivoted about a pair of ears on the body portion. In a first position the humanoid figure is located within the shell portion and is covered. In another position the segments are pivotable about the ears of the body to reveal some or all of the humanoid body including legs and feet. The arcuate segments are removable so that the body may be completely separated from the shell portion. Preferably the legs and feet can support the entire body and arcuate shell segments.

Abstract: An amusement device is described which comprises an elongated, flexible, tubular sheath having two ends. A shape-forming core member is contained within the sheath and extends through substantially the length of the sheath. An end cap is secured to each end of the sheath. The amusement device may be shaped into any desired shape or configuration and it will retain that shape until the user desires to change the shape.

Abstract: An ornamental device is disclosed having main frame members of braided wire, support members, and spanning members for forming the outline of the device. The device is normally formed in two halves which are mated before a screen is laid over the superstructure and fastened thereto. Various detailing methods are then used to accentuate distinctive features using commonly found materials such as metal, glass and paper.