DETACHABLE GARMENT OR ACCESSORY FOR TOY

Abstract

A detachable garment or accessory is provided for a toy. The detachable garment or accessory includes at least a first front part and a second rear part pivotably or hingedly movable relative to each other via pivot or hinge means provided on or associated with the parts between an open position, wherein the garment or accessory can be attached to or removed from at least part of the toy, and a closed position, wherein the garment or accessory can be secured to the toy. Each of the at least first front part and second rear part include a top edge, a base edge and lateral edges. The pivot or hinge means provided between one or more of the lateral edges of said front and rear parts allow at least a portion of the lateral edges of the parts to be separated to form the open position and moved towards each other to form the closed position.

Claims

1. A multiple part toy system comprising: a figurine comprising: a trunk, an arm, a leg, a neck and a head, wherein said trunk of said figurine defines an exterior surface and wherein said figurine has an overall length; a garment or accessory that is removably attachable to said figurine, said garment or accessory comprising: a first part including a first top edge, a first base edge, a first right side lateral edge and a first left side lateral edge; and a second part including a second top edge, a second base edge and a second right side lateral edge and a second left side lateral edge; a first hinge arrangement pivotally coupling said first part to said second part; and a second hinge arrangement pivotally coupling said first part to said second part; wherein said first and second parts define an open position where said first and second top edges are spaced apart and a closed position where said first and second top edges abut; a spring that biases said first and second parts toward the closed position; wherein, in the closed position, said first and second top edges together define a first opening, wherein said neck of said figurine extends through the first opening when said garment or accessory is attached to said figurine and wherein the first opening is too small to receive said truck; wherein, in the closed position, said first and second parts together define a cavity adapted to snugly fit said trunk; and wherein said first and second hinge arrangements are positioned on opposite sides of the cavity.

2. The multiple part toy system of claim 1, wherein, when said garment or accessory is attached to said figurine, said figurine extends through a space between said first and second hinge arrangements.

3. The multiple part toy system of claim 2, wherein said first and second hinge arrangements both pivot about a common axis.

4. The multiple part toy system of claim 3, wherein the common axis is parallel to said first base edge.

5. The multiple part toy system of claim 1, wherein said first hinge arrangement pivotally couples said first part to said second part along said first right side lateral edge and said second right side lateral edge.

6. The multiple part toy system of claim 5, wherein, in the closed position, said first right side edge is substantially parallel to said second right side edge.

7. The multiple part toy system of claim 6, wherein, in the open position, said first right side edge is angled at an acute angle relative to said second right side edge.

8. The multiple part toy system of claim 5, wherein said second hinge arrangement pivotally couples said first part to said second part along said first left side lateral edge and said second left side lateral edge.

9. The multiple part toy system of claim 8, wherein said first and second hinge arrangements are proximate to said first and second base edges.

10. The multiple part toy system of claim 9, wherein squeezing said first and second parts together near said first and second based edges moves said first and second base edges towards each other and moves said first and second parts to the open position.

11. The multiple part toy system of claim 10, wherein said first and second base edges define a second opening.

12. The multiple part toy system of claim 11, wherein said leg of said figurine extends through said second opening when said garment or accessory is attached to said figurine.

13. The multiple part toy system of claim 11, wherein said first and second parts define interior surface contours adapted to cooperate with said figurine such that, with said garment or accessory starting in the closed position, inserting the head of the figurine into the cavity and moving the figurine toward the second opening, said figurine wedges between the interior surface contours and causes the first and second parts to move apart to the open position until the head of the figurine extends completely through the first opening.

14. The multiple part toy system of claim 1, wherein said first part has a height and wherein the overall length of said figurine is longer than the height of said first part such that, when said garment or accessory is attached to said figurine, said head extends away from said first top edge and said leg extends away from said first base edge opposite said first top edge.

15. The multiple part toy system of claim 1, wherein, in the closed position, said first and second right side lateral edges together define a shaped recess and wherein said arm of said figurine extends through the shaped recess when said garment or accessory is attached to said figurine.

16. The multiple part toy system of claim 15, wherein, in the closed position, an entire length of said first and second lateral edges abut except for where the shaped recess is defined.

17. The multiple part toy system of claim 1, further comprising first and second pin members attached to said first part and first and second sleeve members attached to said second part, wherein said first pin member pivotally engages said first sleeve member, and wherein said second pin member pivotally engages said second sleeve member.

18. The multiple part toy system of claim 17, wherein said first and second pin members are fully contained within the cavity defined by the first and second parts when the first and second parts are in the closed position.

19. The multiple part toy system of claim 1, wherein a first inside surface of said first part has a concave shape that defines a portion of the cavity that fits around a front side of said figurine.

20. A multiple part toy system comprising: a figurine comprising: a trunk, a pair of arms, a pair of leg, a neck and a head, wherein said trunk of said figurine defines an exterior surface and wherein said figurine has an overall length; a garment that is removably attachable to said figurine, said garment comprising: a first part including a first top edge, a first base edge, a first right side lateral edge a first right side hinge element, a first left side lateral edge, a first left side hinge element, wherein said first right and left side hinge elements are proximate to said first base edge, wherein said first part is substantially rigid in form; and a second part including a second top edge, a second base edge, a second right side lateral edge, a second right side hinge element, a second left side lateral edge and a second left side hinge element, wherein said second right and left side hinge elements are proximate to said second base edge; wherein said first and second right side hinge elements together define a first hinge arrangement that pivotally couples said first part to said second part; wherein said first and second left side hinge elements together define a second hinge arrangement that pivotally couples said first part to said second part; wherein said first and second hinge arrangements both pivot about a common axis; wherein said first and second parts define an open position where said first and second top edges are spaced apart and a closed position where said first and second top edges abut; a spring that biases said first and second parts toward the closed position; wherein squeezing said first and second parts together near said first and second based edges moves said first and second base edges towards each other and moves said first and second parts to the open position; wherein, in the closed position, said first and second top edges together define a first opening adapted to receive said neck of said figurine which extends through the first opening when said garment is attached to said figurine, wherein the first opening is too small to receive said truck; wherein, in the closed position, said first and second right side lateral edges together define a right side shaped recess adapted to receive a right side arm of said figurine which extends through the right side shaped recess when said garment is attached to said figurine; wherein, in the closed position, said first and second left side lateral edges together define a left side shaped recess adapted to receive a left side arm of said figurine which extends through the left side shaped recess when said garment is attached to said figurine; wherein said first and second based edges together define a second opening that the legs of said figurine extend below when said garment is attached to said figurine; wherein a first inside surface of said first part has a concave shape that defines a first cavity adapted to fit around a front side of said figurine; wherein a second inside surface of said second part defines a second cavity adapted to fit around a back side of said figure; wherein, in the closed position, said first and second cavity are adapted to snugly fit said trunk; and wherein said first and second hinge arrangements are positioned on opposite sides of the cavity such that, when said garment is attached to said figurine, said figurine extends through a space between said first and second hinge arrangements.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0057] FIGS. 1a and 1b show a side view of a garment in the form of a dress in a closed position and in an open position respectively;

[0058] FIGS. 2a and 2b show an exploded perspective view of the garment in FIGS. 1a and 1b using two different resilient biasing means;

[0059] FIGS. 3a-3c show the stages involved in fitting the garment in FIGS. 1a and 1b to a toy doll when viewed from the side;

[0060] FIG. 4 shows an initial stage in fitting the garment in FIGS. 1a and 1b to a toy doll when viewed from the front;

[0061] FIGS. 5a and 5b show the garment in FIGS. 1a and 1b located on a hanger in an open position and closed position respectively;

[0062] FIGS. 6a-6c show the stages involved in fitting the garment in FIGS. 1a and 1b to a stand or mannequin;

[0063] FIGS. 7a-7d show an example of a first mechanism by which the garment in FIGS. 1a and 1b could be attached to a toy doll in use;

[0064] FIGS. 8a-8b show an example of a second mechanism by which the garment in FIGS. 1a and 1b could be attached to a toy doll in use;

[0065] FIGS. 9a-9c show an example of a third mechanism by which the garment in FIGS. 1a and 1b could be attached to a toy doll in use;

[0066] FIG. 10 shows an example of a hinge mechanism for a garment according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0067] FIGS. 11a-11c show an example of a mechanism by which the garment in FIG. 10 could be attached to a toy doll in use;

[0068] FIGS. 12a and 12b show a side view and a front view of a further embodiment of a garment according to the present invention;

[0069] FIG. 13 shows the doll wearing the garment shown in FIGS. 12a-b in a seated position; and

[0070] FIGS. 14a and 14b show a front view and base view of a spring mechanism used in the garment shown in FIGS. 12a and 12b.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0071] Referring firstly to FIGS. 1a-4, there is illustrated a garment 2 according to a first embodiment of the present invention that can be detachably attached to a toy doll 4.

[0072] The garment 2 in this example is in the form of a ladies dress and includes a first front part 6 and a second rear part 8. Front part 6 has a top edge or surface 10, lateral edges or surfaces 12, 14 and a base edge or surface 16. Rear part 8 has a top edge or surface 10′, lateral edges or surfaces 12′, 14′ and a base edge or surface 16′.

[0073] The front and rear parts 6, 8 are hingedly joined along the lateral edges 12, 12′, 14, 14′ thereof adjacent the base edge 16, 16′ via a hinge arrangement 18. The hinge arrangement 18 allows the front and rear parts 6, 8 to be moved between a closed position, wherein the lateral edges 12, 12′, 14, 14′ of the front and rear parts are adjacent to and in abutting relationship with each other, and an open position wherein the lateral edges 12, 12′, 14, 14′ are separated and moved away from each other.

[0074] In the illustrated embodiment, with the parts 6, 8 in the closed position, the parts 6, 8 are substantially parallel to each other, as shown in FIG. 1a. With the parts 6, 8 in the open position, the parts 6, 8 are moved apart from each other to form an acute angle between the same, as shown in FIG. 1b.

[0075] The shape and configuration of the parts 6, 8 can be substantially the same as each other, can be mirror images of each other or can be different to each other.

[0076] An example of a hinge arrangement is shown in FIG. 2a. In this example, hinge arrangement 18 includes protrusion means in the form of a pin 20 provided adjacent each lateral edge 12′, 14′ of the rear part 8, and a sleeve member 22 with a channel 24 defined therethrough provided adjacent each lateral edge 12, 14 of the front part 6. Each pin 20 is rotatably mounted in channel 24 of sleeve member 22. Resilient biasing means in the form of a torsion spring 26 are provided between the pin 20 and the sleeve member 22 to resiliently bias the hinge arrangement 18 to a closed position.

[0077] An example of a further hinge arrangement is shown in FIG. 2b, whereby an elastic band 28 is used in place of torsion spring 26 to bias the hinge means to a closed position. A support member 30 is provided on each part 6, 8 adjacent lateral edge 12, 12′ to allow the elastic band 28 to be joined between the same.

[0078] In order to move the garment 2 between the closed and open positions, a user grips the outer surfaces of parts 6, 8 and applies a compressive force thereto adjacent the base edges 16, 16′ thereof (i.e. squeezes the base edges 16, 16′ together), as shown by arrows 32 in FIG. 1b. If the force applied is sufficient to overcome the biasing force of spring 26 or elastic band 28, the parts 6, 8 separate along their lateral edges 12, 14, 12′ 14, and top edges 10, 10′ move away from each other. This leaves an opening 34 defined between the top edges 10, 10′ that is of sufficient size and shape through which the toy doll 4 can be located.

[0079] In the illustrations 3a-3c, toy doll 4 is in the form of a female human figurine comprising a pair of legs 36, a trunk 38, arms 40 and a head 42. The feet and legs 36 in this embodiment are inserted through the opening 34 at the top 10 of the garment when in an open position. The dress and/or doll can be slidingly moved towards each other (i.e.

[0080] the legs 36 are moved through the opening of the garment and between the parts 6, 8), as shown by arrows 43 in FIG. 3a.

[0081] The garment parts 6, 8 typically define a cavity therebetween which is of sufficient size and shape to fit at least part of the doll therein in use. In particular, the shape and size of the interior surface of the garment parts 6, 8 is preferably substantially similar or slightly larger than the shape and size of the exterior surface of the doll, particularly the trunk 38 of the doll, thereby forming a snug fit when at least part of the garment is engaged to at least part of the doll. This prevents the garment from moving around too much on the doll when fitted and provides a realistic appearance of the doll wearing human clothing. In addition, once the feet of the doll are located through the opening 34, the contours of the interior surface of the parts 6, 8 and/or the top edges 10, 10′ engaging against the trunk 38 of the doll maintains the parts 6, 8 in an open position without a user being required to maintain the compressive force at the base edges of the parts, as shown in FIG. 3b. Thus, the user only has to provide an initial compressive force on first placing the doll in the opening 34, and thereafter the user can remove the compressive force and the garment will remain in an open position until the top part 10, 10′ of the garment reaches the narrower neck 44 of the doll. The garment is then automatically moved to a closed position on the doll, as shown by FIG. 3c, as a result of the biasing force of the spring 26.

[0082] A shaped recess 44, 44′ is provided adjacent the top 10, 10′ of parts 6, 8 to fit around the arms 40 of the doll when the garment is fitted on the doll. An opening is defined between the parts 6, 8 in the top edge for the neck of the doll to be located therethrough when the parts are in a closed position. An opening is also defined between the parts 6, 8 in the base edge of the legs of the doll to be located therethrough when the parts are in a closed position.

[0083] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the garment 2 could be in any suitable form and is not limited to a ladies dress. In addition, the garment 2 could be attached to an article other than a doll. For example, garment 2 could be fitted to a coat hanger 46, as shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b. The parts 6, 8 could be moved to an open position by a user, as shown in FIG. 5a and the hanger 46 could be inserted into the opening 34 defined between the two parts 6, 8 when in the open position. Once the garment is moved back to a closed position, as shown in FIG. 5b, the protruding arm portions 48 of the hanger 46 extend beyond the neck opening 50 of the dress when in the closed position, thereby securing the hanger 46 in place on the garment.

[0084] FIGS. 6a-6c illustrate the garment 2 being fitted to an article in the form of a mannequin 52. The mannequin includes a body portion 54 corresponding to the trunk of a human that is located on a stand 56 supported on a worksurface or other suitable surface in use. A head portion 58 and neck portion 60 can be joined to a top of the body portion 54. In this embodiment, rather than the base of the doll being inserted through opening 34 of the garment as illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 during manual opening of the parts 6, 8 by a user, the base 16, 16′ of the garment 2 is located over the head portion 58 of the mannequin 52 and slidingly pushed down onto the mannequin towards stand 56, as shown by arrow 62 in FIG. 6b. Engagement of the contours of the interior surface of the parts 6, 8 with the contours of the exterior surface of the mannequin 52 during this downward sliding motion causes the parts 6, 8 to move to an open position. As such, the parts 6, 8 can be moved from a closed position to an open position without a user being required to manually squeeze the base of the parts together. This is possible due to the position and orientation of the pivotal axis of the garment being located substantially transverse to the direction in which an article or toy is to be located through an opening of the garment. The article or toy is passed through the pivotal axis of the parts when located with the parts (i.e. the toy passes through the plane that is parallel to the pivotal axis of the parts).

[0085] The position of the pivot or hinge arrangement in the present invention also allows the garment to be fitted to an article or doll via a number of possible partially or wholly automated mechanisms, as shown in FIGS. 7a-9c.

[0086] In FIG. 7a, the garment 2 is slid in a downwardly direction onto a stand 64 via base 16, 16′ in a similar manner to the mannequin embodiment shown in FIGS. 6a-6c, as shown by arrows 66.

[0087] A movable platform 68 is provided adjacent the base 70 of stand 64 and the platform 68 and stand 64 are both provided in a housing 72 having an open top 74. An actuation arm 76 is joined to movable platform 68 at a first end 78 and an opposite end 80 of actuation arm 76 protrudes outwardly from housing 72 to form a handle 82. More particularly, the movable platform has an aperture (not shown) defined therein and stand 64 is located through the aperture and is slidingly movable along the vertical or longitudinal axis of the stand in use. A slot (not shown) is defined in the side wall of housing 72 to allow the actuation arm and handle to also be moved between raised and lowered positions with respect to the vertical or longitudinal axis of the stand in use.

[0088] The garment 2 is moved onto the stand 64 until the base 16, 16′ of the garment rests on movable platform 68. Engagement of the interior surface of the garment with the exterior surface of the stand moves the garment from a closed position, as shown in FIG. 7a, to an open position, as shown in FIG. 7b.

[0089] Engagement means 84 for the feet of a doll 4 are located at a top free end 86 of stand 64. With doll 4 engaged in engagement means 84, the doll 4 is located substantially centrally of stand 64 in an upright manner such that the doll protrudes above the top edge of housing 72.

[0090] A user can then slide handle 82, and therefore actuation arm 76, movable platform 68 and garment 2 in an upwardly direction, as shown by arrow 88 in FIG. 7c, such that the legs 36 of the doll are inserted downwardly through the top opening 34 of the garment 2. This action continues until the garment 2 engages with the doll 4 as previously described and as shown in FIG. 7d.

[0091] In FIGS. 8a-8b an alternative mechanism is shown via which a doll 4 can be dressed or brought into engagement with the garment 2. In this embodiment the garment 2 is located on a stand 90 on a base 91 of a housing 92. The housing 92 includes a pivotable door 94 provided on a side wall thereof that is movable between an open condition, as shown in FIG. 8b, and a closed condition, as shown in FIG. 8a. A lever 96 provided on the interior surface of the door 94 and protruding inwardly of the internal space within the housing 92 is arranged to engage part 6 adjacent base 16 of the garment 2 when the door is in a closed position, thereby providing sufficient compression adjacent the base 16 to move the hinge arrangement 18 of garment 2 to the open position.

[0092] A pivotable platform 98 is provided adjacent base 91 of housing 92. One end 100 of platform 98 is joined to a pivot arrangement and the opposite end 102 of platform 98 is provided with a hook 103 that is engageble with a catch 104 provided on the interior surface of door 94.

[0093] The housing 92 is an open topped housing and, in use, the legs 36 of doll 4 are moved downwardly through the housing opening 106 and into the open top of garment 2, as shown in FIG. 8a. As the feet of the doll 4 engage with platform 98, this causes the platform to pivot in a downwardly direction, thereby releasing hook 103 from door 94 and causing door 94 to move from a closed position to an open position. On opening of the door 94, lever 96 is moved out of the engagement with garment 2 resulting in the garment moving from an open position to a closed position. As such, once the door is opened, the garment 2 is engaged to the doll 4 and provides the user with the impression that the doll has dressed itself.

[0094] In FIGS. 9a-9c a further mechanism is provided for allowing a doll to be dressed. In this embodiment a birfucated rail 106 is supported above a platform 108 via upright support members 110, 112. The rail 106 is a single rail at end 110 and splits into two rails 106′, 106″ towards end 112. In addition, the rail 106 is optionally located a greater distance above platform 108 at end 110 than at end 112.

[0095] A garment 2 is moved manually by a user from a closed position to an open position by compressing the garment on parts 6, 8 adjacent base 16. This causes the top 10, 10′ of the garment to open and the rail 106 can be located through the top opening 34 of the garment adjacent end 110 of rail 106. The garment is then slidingly moved on rail 106 from end 110, wherein the garment is in the closed position, towards end 112, wherein the top parts 10, 10′ of garment parts 6, 8 are moved to the open position as top part 10 of garment part 6 engages with front rail 106″ and top part 10′ of garment part 8 engages with rear rail 106′. A doll 4 can then be located downwardly through the top opening 34 of the garment as previously described. Location of the doll into the open garment can take place behind a curtain 114 or other suitable closure to provide the user with the appearance that the doll has automatically dressed itself.

[0096] The garment can slidingly move along rail 106 as a result of a user manually sliding the garment on the rail 106, via gravity as a result of end 110 of rail 106 being higher than end 112 of rail 106, or via a suitable mechanical sliding mechanism.

[0097] FIG. 10 shows the garment with an alternative hinge arrangement to that described previously. In this embodiment the hinge arrangement 116 is provided adjacent one lateral edge 14 of the dress only. This allows a lever to be passed through the opposite lateral edge 12 that does not have the hinge and between garment parts 6, 8, thereby providing a further mechanism via which the garment parts 6, 8 can be moved from a closed position to an open position. An example of such a mechanism is shown in FIGS. 11a-11c.

[0098] A frame is provided having a base 118 and two upright members 120, 122 located a spaced distance apart on base 118. A lever 124 is slidably arranged on upright member 120 to allow the lever to be moved longitudinally of upright member 120 between a raised position, as shown in FIG. 11a, to a lowered position, as shown in FIG. 11c. Lever 124 includes engagement means 126 provided at a first end 128 to which the feet 130 of doll 4 can be engaged to position the doll in an upright manner. End 128 of lever 124 is movable between upright members 120, 122 in use. Second end 132 of lever 124 is provided with a handle element 134 to allow a user to slide the lever between the raised and lowered positions, as shown by arrow 136.

[0099] A rail 138 is provided between upright members 120, 122 a sufficient spaced distance above base 118 to allow a garment 2 to be located on rail 138 and to hang in free space below rail 138 in a closed position. The rail 138 is typically located through opening 34 of the garment 2 when clipped onto the rail in an open position as previously described.

[0100] As the lever 124, and therefore the doll 4, is moved from the raised position towards the lowered position, the lever 124 and engagement means 126 slides between the lateral edges 12, 12′ of parts 6, 8 of garment 2. The exterior contours of the doll 4 causes the garment 2 to move from a closed position to an open position, thereby releasing garment 2 from engagement with rail 138 and engaging the garment 2 to the trunk 38 of doll 4, as shown in FIG. 11c.

[0101] If all or a substantial part of the mechanism in FIGS. 11a-11c is provided within a housing or behind a curtain or other suitable closure means, it provides the user with the impression that the doll has dressed itself.

[0102] Thus, it can be seen by a person skilled in the art that by providing the garment of the present invention with a hinge arrangement between one or more lateral edges of front and rear parts of the garment or accessory, at least part of a toy or doll can be arranged to pass through a plane that is substantially parallel and aligned with the hinge or pivot axis of the hinge arrangement and this allows a number of different arrangements to be provided via which the garment or accessory can be engaged to the doll or toy.

[0103] Referring to FIGS. 12a-14b, there is illustrated a further embodiment of a garment 202 that can be detachably attached to a doll in a similar manner to the embodiments already described.

[0104] In this embodiment the garment 202 is in the form of a ladies corset or bodice. The garment includes a front part 204 and a rear part 206. User actuation means in the form of protruding portions 208, 210 protrude outwardly and below from base edges 212, 214 of said front and rear parts 204, 206 respectively. The protruding portions 208, 210 are in the form of pinch stems and are of sufficient size to allow a user to apply a compressive force on the portions towards each other and the doll, thereby allowing the parts 204, 206 to move from a closed position to an open position.

[0105] Extension portions 216, 218 are provided adjacent the lateral edges 220, 222 of both the front and rear parts 204, 206. The extension portions 216, 218 extend below the base edges 212, 214 of the front and rear parts 204, 206. The hinge 224 is provided at the free end of the extension portions 216, 218 to hingedly join the same together.

[0106] The dimensions and positions of the extension portions 216, 218 and protruding portions 208, 210 are such that they do not obstruct movement of the waist 226 and/or legs 228 of the doll. This allows the doll 230 to sit down, as shown in FIG. 13. In particular, protruding portions 208, 210 are sufficiently thin so that the legs 228 can be moved either side of the same. For example, the legs of the doll can move through an acute or perpendicular angle without obstruction from the clothing.

[0107] The front and rear parts 204, 206 are substantially rigid in form and substantially flexible fabric 232 can be attached to the exterior and/or interior surfaces of the parts to provide a skirt for the bodice/corset.

[0108] A single spring element 234 is provided around the perimeter of the base opening of the parts 204, 206 and around the extension portions 216, 218 to bias the parts 204, 206 from the open position to the closed position in use, thereby allowing the parts to be secured to the doll 230.