Abstract:
A costume wing, and a kit for producing a costume wing, having an internal structure mechanically capable of movement to simulate the flapping or spreading of wings, and an interchangeable external decorative cover.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    This invention relates generally to the fields of costumes, costume accessories, costume wings, and mechanical costume wings capable of wearer animation. This invention also relates to the fields of mechanical costume wings having an internal support and movement structure and an external decorative covering that can be removed and replaced with alternative external decorative coverings. 
         [0003]    2. Prior Art 
         [0004]    People have long dressed up in costumes. Many costumes are simply clothing to invoke a different look, such as prehistoric or medieval eras. Other costumes simulate animals or mythological creatures. Still other costumes have lights, bells, and whistles for a multi-media effect. This is a long way of saying that there is no limit to the type of costumes available. 
         [0005]    Many people like animated costumes. For example, birds or butterflies have wings, and costumes simulating birds or butterflies preferably also have wings. The same is true for fairies, dragons, gargoyles, and the like. However, most such costumes have static wings that are simply attached the wearer&#39;s back, or, at most, move only upon movement of the wearer. Thus, there is a dearth of costumes or costume accessories having animated or movable wings, or “life-like” wings. 
         [0006]    There is thus a need for costume wings or costume wing accessories that can be animated, and that can be moved or caused to be moved by the wearer. There also is a need for costume wings or costume wing accessories that can be animated by the wearer in a more “life-like” manner. There is a further need for simple to operate costume wings or costume wing accessories. It is to these needs and others that the present invention is directed. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    Briefly, the invention is a costume mechanism that mimics the appearance of articulated wings. The invention comprises a harness with two symmetrical wings that is worn on the wearer&#39;s back. The invention also comprises a mechanical structure attached to the harness, the mechanical structure comprising the internal operating components and support for the wings. The invention further comprises an outer aesthetic covering that can be fanciful in design, or that can mimic the actual appearance of a creature&#39;s wings. The outer cover is removable and replaceable with alternative outer coverings. 
         [0008]    Each wing connects to the harness with a hinge near the wearer&#39;s shoulder blade. The hinge allows each wing to swing approximately 90 degrees from directly behind the wearer to the wearer&#39;s sides. Each wing also has a joint allowing the wing to move from a lowered or contracted position to a raised or extended position, and back. A cord is attached to the wings. When the wearer pulls the cord taught, a swing arm swings up, pulling the wing from the lowered or contracted position to the raised or extended position, giving the mechanism the appearance of a fully extended natural wing. 
         [0009]    The wings of the invention are capable of swinging generally horizontally from a position where the wings are together and extending rearward from the wearer&#39;s back to a position where the wings are apart and extending sideward from the wearer&#39;s sides. The wings of the invention also are capable of swinging or extending generally upwards or outwards from a bent or folded contracted position where the wings are “at rest” to an unbent or unfolded extended position where the wings are spread or “in flight”. 
         [0010]    These features, and other features and advantages of the present invention, will become more apparent to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art when the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments is read in conjunction with the appended drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a back view of the internal structure of the invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a detailed view of the back harness of the invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a detailed view of an elbow joint of the invention showing a safety or guiding guard for the actuating cord, with the wing struts in a contracted position. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the internal structure of the invention as worn by a wearer, with the wings in the rearward and contracted positions. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a rear side view of the internal structure of the invention as worn by a wearer, with the wings in sideward and extended positons, and showing a wearer operating the wings by pulling on an actuating cord. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is an embodiment of the invention having a fanciful outer covering. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0017]    Referring now to the figures, various embodiments of the costume wing  1  of this invention is shown. The invention includes a mechanism comprising a harness  2  with two symmetrical wing structures  3   a,    3   b  configured to be worn on the wearer&#39;s  11  back  11   b.  The invention further comprises an outer aesthetic covering  4  that can be fanciful in design, or that can mimic the actual appearance of a creature&#39;s wings. The outer cover is removable and replaceable with alternative outer coverings. The invention further comprises a method of displaying a fanciful wing structure and design on a wearer  11 . 
         [0018]    The mechanism mimics the appearance of articulated wings. Each wing  3   a,    3   b  connects to the harness  2  with a hinge  5   a,    5   b  near the wearer&#39;s  11  shoulder blade, and is referred to herein as the wing shoulder and the harness shoulder. The hinge  5   a,    5   b  allows each wing  3   a,    3   b  to swing independently and approximately 90 degrees from directly behind the wearer  11  to the sides of the wearer  11 . The swing angle is not limited to approximately 90 degrees, and can be more or less depending on the type of wings, the effect desired, and the body structure of the wearer  11 . Ninety degrees is simply a suitable angle range and is appropriate for most embodiments of the invention. Between 45 degrees and 100 degrees is a preferred angle range. 
         [0019]    Attached to hinge  5   a,    5   b  is an elongate member, e.g., a length of channel aluminum  6   a,    6   b.  The channel aluminum  6   a,    6   b  is preferably approximately 18.5″ in length. The wearer  11  is able to adjust the angles α,α′ such that the channel aluminum  6   a,    6   b  extends up and away from the wearer&#39;s  11  back  11   b.  The channel aluminum  6   a,    6   b  is not limited to 18.5″ in length, and can be longer or shorter depending on the type of wings, the effect desired, and the body structure of the wearer  11 . Eighteen and a half inches is simply a suitable length range and is appropriate for most embodiments of the invention. Between 14 inches and 23 inches is a preferred length range. 
         [0020]    The channel aluminum  6   a,    6   b  attaches toward or at a top end  8   a,    8   b  of an aluminum swing arm  7   a,    7   b.  The swing arm  7   a,    7   b  is preferably approximately 40″ in length. The swing arm  7   a,    7   b  hangs downward from the channel aluminum  6   a,    6   b  because of gravity. The top  8   a,    8   b  of the swing arm  7   a,    7   b,  proximal to the attachment to the channel  6   a,    6   b,  allows an actuating cord  9   a,    9   b  to attach thereto and extend to the base  10   a,    10   b  of the channel aluminum  6   a,    6   b.  When the wearer  11  pulls the cord  9   a,    9   b  taut, the swing arm  7   a,    7   b  swings up. This gives the mechanism the appearance of a fully extended natural wing. There preferably also is a loop or rod  12   a,    12   b  of aluminum that keeps the outer cover fabric  4  from interfering with the free motion of the swing arm  7   a,    7   b.  The swing arm is not limited to 40″ in length, and can be longer or shorter depending on the type of wings, the effect desired, and the body structure of the wearer  11 . Forty inches is simply a suitable length range and is appropriate for most embodiments of the invention. Between 32 inches and 48 inches is a preferred length range. 
         [0021]    The wearer  11  wears the harness  2  like a backpack. The harness  2  generally comprises two shoulder straps  13   a,    13   b  and a waist belt  14   a,    14   b.  The straps  13   a,    13   b,  can be made of cotton belting with padding for comfort. The wearer  11  puts on the shoulder straps  13   a,    13   b  and adjusts them to be the appropriate height, namely, so the wings are at the appropriate height on the wearer&#39;s back  11   b.  The appropriate height is variable and is a function of the type of wing, the size of the wing, the size of the wearer  11 , and the personal desires of the wearer. The shoulder straps  13   a,    13   b  should be tight enough such that the wearer  11  can turn without worrying the harness  2  could fall off. After adjusting the shoulder straps  13   a,    13   b,  the wearer  11  attaches and secures, e.g., buckles and adjusts the waist strap  14   a,    14   b  through a pair of harness loops  22   a,    22   b.  The harness  2  should feel comfortable and secure after adjusting everything. 
         [0022]    Once the harness  2  is tight and comfortable, the wearer  11  finds and holds the two actuating cords  9   a,    9   b  located under their arms. Each actuating cord  9   a,    9   b  has a ring  15   a,    15   b  attached to the cord  9   a,    9   b  on a lower end so that the wearer  11  can more easily hold each cord  9   a,    9   b  and operate the wing mechanism. Each wing  3   a,    3   b  works independently of the other wing. 
         [0023]    Each wing  3   a,    3   b  connects to the harness  2  with a hinge  5   a,    5   b  near the wearer&#39;s shoulder blade. The hinge  5   a,    5   b  allows each wing  3   a,    3   b  to swing approximately 90 degrees from directly behind the wearer  11  to the wearer&#39;s sides. In an embodiment, such swing may be substantially orthogonal to the motion of swing arm  7   a,    7   b.  Each wing  3   a,    3   b  also has a joint  16   a,    16   b  allowing the wing to move from a lowered or contracted position to a raised or extended position, and back. The wings  3   a,    3   b  are capable of swinging generally horizontally from a position where the wings are together and extending rearward from the wearer&#39;s back to a position where the wings are apart and extending sideward from the wearer&#39;s sides. The wings  3   a,    3   b  also are capable of swinging or extending generally upwards or outwards from a bent or folded contracted position where the wings are “at rest”, e.g.,  FIG. 4 , to an unbent or unfolded extended position where the wings are spread or “in flight”, e.g.,  FIG. 5 . 
         [0024]    When the wearer  11  pulls the actuating cord  9   a,    9   b  taut, the wings  3   a,    3   b  can be moved from the rearwards position to the sideward position and back, and from the contracted position to the extended position and back. For example, pulling the actuating cord  9   a,    9   b  forwards toward the front side of user  11 , e.g., in a first manner and/or to a first position,can move the wings  3   a,    3   b  from the rearward position to the sideward position. Pulling the actuating cords  9   a,    9   b  even more forwards, or pulling the actuating cords  9   a,    9   b  downwards, e.g., in a second manner and/or to a second position, may cause the swing arm  7   a,    7   b  to swing up, pulling the wing  3   a,    3   b  from the lowered or contracted position to the raised or extended position, giving the mechanism the appearance of a fully extended natural wing. 
         [0025]    Next are details for pulling the actuating cords  9   a,    9   b  and what happens when the actuating cords  9   a,    9   b  are pulled. The wings are primarily controlled with a pair of actuating cords  9   a,    9   b  located under the wearer&#39;s arms. The wearer  11  grasps a first end of the actuating cord, which can have a ring  15   a,    15   b  attached thereto for ease of grasping. The actuating cord is encased by a plastic tubing  23   a,    23   b  positioned between the ring  15   a,    15   b  and the base portion  10   a,    10   b  of the channel aluminum  6   a,    6   b.  The plastic tubing  23   a,    23   b  is affixed to, or mounted on channel aluminum  6   a,    6   b,  such that cord  9   a,    9   b  is substantially in the same plane defined by an arc of pivoting swing arm  7   a,    7   b  and joint  16   a,    16   b,  respectively. The plastic tubing  16   a,    16   b  may prevent the cord  9   a,    9   b  from rubbing the wearer&#39;s  11  skin. The actuating cord is positioned generally within, along, or proximal to the channel  6   a,    6   b  and is attached proximate or at the top end  8   a,    8   b  of the swing arm  7   a,    7   b.  The swing arm  7   a,    7   b  is pivotally attached to a second end  17   a,    17   b  of the channel  7   a,    7   b  forming an elbow joint  16   a,    16   b.  The tension from pulling the actuating cord  9   a,    9   b  causes the swing arm  7   a,    7   b  to extend, e.g., to rotate about joint  16   a,    16   b,  such that when the actuating cord is pulled taut, the top end  8   a,    8   b  of the swing arm  7   a,    7   b  is pulled toward channel aluminum  6   a,    6   b  so that the wing extends. 
         [0026]    In addition to the horizontal (rearward to sideward and back) and vertical (contracted to extended and back) movement of the wings  3   a,    3   b,  the wearer  11  also can adjust the total arc of the mechanism. This is accomplished by adjusting the arc settings by bolting the channel  6   a,    6   b  at certain positions along an adjustment boom  19   a,    19   b.  The adjustment boom  19   a,    19   b  has a plurality of holes  21   a,    21   b  therethrough along its length whereby a bolt securing nut combination  20   a,    20   b  can secure the channel  6   a,    6   b  to the adjustment boom  19   a,    19   b  at any of the plurality of adjustment holes  21   a,    21   b.  In this manner, the arc settings are adjusted by abducting or adducting the angle α,α′ of the mechanism. The arc setting is held in place by the bolt and nut combination  20   a,    20   b.    
         [0027]    The angle α,α′ settings vary the overall wing look from one look to another. For example, for the angel wing look it may be recommended to be adjusted to the highest wing abduction, e. g., holes  21   a ′,  21   b ′. For the look of a gargoyle, it may be recommended that the bolt be set in with the second hole, the second highest wing abduction, as shown in  FIG. 2 . For the look of a fairy or dragon, it is recommended that the bolt be set in the third hole,  21   a ″,  21   b″.    
         [0028]    In an embodiment, the look of the wings can be changed by changing the cloth coverings that go over the aluminum internal structure. The cloth coverings can mimic different animals and mythological creatures. Each of the coverings is interchangeable. The wings coverings, or slipcovers, can be constructed with materials such as but not limited to cloth, cotton, polyester, silk, satin, suede, leather, and organza. The slipcovers can comprise boning to help retain, maintain, or form a preferred wing look. Boning used in a wing slipcover so as to give structure can be but is not limited to coated metal wire, plastics, and the like. For example, fairy wings may not have boning in their wings structure, and can be made of black iridescent organza and satin. For another example, phoenix wings can be made with satin, and preferably are cut out in the shape of a bird&#39;s wing. For another example, angel wings can be made of silver organza also cut out in a shape that resembles a bird&#39;s wing, and may not comprise boning used. The wings can be tipped with foam for protection. 
         [0029]    The internal structure can be made for wings or costumes of different sizes and variety simply by altering the size and shape of the internal support components. . 
         [0030]    The external covers can be made for wings or costumes of different sizes and variety simply by altering the size, shape, materials, and patterns of the external cover material. 
         [0031]    The present costume wings have been described using detailed descriptions of preferred embodiments thereof that are provided by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the system. The described embodiments comprise different features, not all of which are required in all embodiments of a portable toothbrush holder. Some embodiments of the invention utilize only some of the features or possible combinations of the features. Variations of the embodiments of the device that are described and embodiments of the invention comprising different combinations of features noted in the described embodiments will occur to persons of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0032]    Persons of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the present costumer wings are not limited by what has been particularly shown and described herein above. Rather, the foregoing detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the appended figures have been presented only for illustrative and descriptive purposes, and are not intended to be exhaustive or limiting. The embodiments were selected and described to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications and one skilled in the art will recognize that many variations can be made to the invention disclosed herein without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.