Costume apparatus

This invention refers to a costume apparatus for enabling a user to engage in role play activities or action play adventures. The costume apparatus may be mounted on a user's back, and comprises deployable arm assemblies which are controlled by a pull cord system. In one embodiment, the costume apparatus takes the form of expandable wings. The arm assembly of the costume apparatus may include two arm pieces connected by a pivoting joint, and may further include a hinged joint within one of the arm pieces. The hinged joint provides a safety feature for the deployed costume apparatus by allowing the arm assemblies to fold rearward when obstacles are encountered.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Winged costumes are used in many situations such as stage productions, holiday events, and children's role playing activities. Over the years, these costumes have utilized a variety of features to improve their appearance and functionality. In one aspect, the ease of putting on or removing a winged costume has been addressed with detachable pads, shoulder and wrist straps, and harnesses. In other aspects, wings have been made to be collapsible using inflatable components, overlapping plates, or fabric mounted on pivoting rods. Flapping motion for wings has been provided by electrical motors, air bellows, and mechanical systems incorporating levers and springs. Unique ways of devising these features as well as other novel elements for winged costumes can result in improved amusement value and increased functionality for a user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention refers to a costume apparatus for enabling a user to engage in role play activities or action play adventures. The costume apparatus may be mounted on a user's back, and comprises deployable arm assemblies which are controlled by a pull cord system. In one embodiment, the costume apparatus takes the form of expandable wings. The arm assembly may include two arm pieces connected by a pivoting joint, and may further include a hinged joint within one of the arm pieces. The hinged joint provides a safety feature for the deployed costume apparatus by allowing the arm assemblies to fold rearward when obstacles are encountered. Alternatively, the hinge joint may instead be a rotating joint which allows the user to alter the orientation of the wings. The costume apparatus of this invention sets forth winged configurations and features not described previously in the art, thus providing a user with new opportunities for creative play.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments according to the present invention shall now be described in more detail in reference to the accompanying figures. In this disclosure, a “housing” shall be described as a backpack configuration but may also refer to other types of carriers such as a bag or a hard case. The term “pull cords” is described as cords used to actuate a costume apparatus, but may also refer to wires, fabric straps, plastic tubing, or the like. Similarly, reference to shoulder and waist straps may imply other means for enabling a user to wear a costume apparatus such as harnesses or vests. Although the cape described in this disclosure is illustrated in the shape of bat wings, other shapes are possible such as angel wings, bird wings, and airplane wings.

FIG. 1provides a front view of an assembled embodiment of a costume apparatus100. In this figure, a housing110includes two shoulder straps112, a waist strap114, and pull cords116with cord handles117along each shoulder strap112. Two arm assemblies120are coupled to each side of housing110. Arm assemblies120each comprise a main arm122and an outer arm123pivotally joined at an elbow joint124. Main arms122each include an upper main arm125and a lower main arm126which meet at a joint127. Tips128of outer arms123may be covered with a padded material such as foam. Hooks129near each elbow joint124latch into the top of housing110to secure the arm assemblies120in a folded configuration. Alternatively, hooks129may be incorporated onto housing110. A wing material130hangs from arm assemblies120and across housing110.

In the embodiment ofFIG. 1, housing110is configured as a backpack. Alternatively, housing110may take other forms such as a bag or other type of carrier which is capable of housing mechanical components associated with deployment of the arm assemblies120and which is amenable to being worn as a costume by the user. Housing110is hung on a user's shoulders with shoulder straps112, and may be additionally supported on the user's body with waist strap114. Pull cords116, which are mechanically coupled to a deployment system within the interior of housing110, are tethered along the front of shoulder straps112such that cord handles117may be accessed by the user. When cord handles117are pulled downward by the user, pull cords116toggle the arm assemblies120between an expanded or open position, as shown inFIG. 1, and a closed position as shown inFIG. 3. Note that while two pull cords116are embodied inFIG. 1, a single pull cord or more than two are also possible. In another embodiment, one set of cords may control the opening of the arm assemblies120while another set of cords may be used to close the arm assemblies120.

The joints127located along the length of main arms122provide unique play features to the costume apparatus100. In one embodiment, joints127are hinged to enhance safety to the user and the costume apparatus100while the arm assemblies120are deployed. Because of the wide wingspan of costume apparatus100, arm assemblies120may collide with structures encountered during play. Hinged joints127allow arm assemblies120to fold, typically rearward, when an obstacle is encountered, thus decreasing potential damage to the arm assemblies120. The positioning of joints127may be chosen based on the desired span at which a user may safely pass through obstacles, such as a doorway, with the arm assemblies120open. In one embodiment, joints127may include a torsion spring in addition to a hinge such that upper main arms125rebound back in alignment with lower main arms126when arm assemblies120are no longer in contact with the obstacle. Alternatively, a torsion spring may be omitted from joint127such that upper main arms125may be manually straightened by the user.

In another embodiment, joints127may be configured as a pin joint or other type of rotational joint. For instance, a pin oriented parallel to the axis of main arm122allows upper main arm125to rotate, that is, twist, around the axis of the pin. Consequently, outer arm128is also rotated and is re-oriented from extending laterally outward from the user to pointing rearward from the user. Such a rotating joint offers the user creative play scenarios not possible without the intermediate joints127.

FIG. 2provides a rear view of a costume apparatus101in a deployed position. Costume apparatus101is identical to the costume apparatus100ofFIG. 1, although without the wing material130attached so that the arm assemblies120may be seen more clearly. The same components related to housing110and arm assemblies120as previously described inFIG. 1are similarly viewed here inFIG. 2. Additionally, a decorative panel140attached to housing110is seen in this rear view.

FIG. 3shows a rear view of the costume apparatus100fromFIG. 1, now with arm assemblies120in a folded position. In this folded position, only the elbow joints124of arm assemblies120are visible. Wing material130covers the folded arm assemblies120, as well as the majority of housing110. Panel140is layered over wing material130to provide aesthetic value as well as to assist in keeping wing material130secured to housing110.

Further details of the underlying components of the costume apparatus101ofFIG. 2will now be discussed.FIGS. 4 and 5show front and rear views, respectively, of costume apparatus101with arm assemblies120in their folded positions. Housing110is shown without ergonomic covering or padding so that its mechanical structure can be seen. InFIG. 4, joints150, compression springs160, and slots162are visible near the lower sides of housing110. Main arms122are pivotally coupled to housing110at joints150, which are pin joints in this embodiment. Compression springs160, seen within slots162, are coupled to joints150and remain at their natural length when arm assemblies120are folded. Pull cords116, with cord ends164fixedly attached to housing110as shown inFIG. 5, traverse a pulley system, not shown, within housing110. When the user pulls the pull cords116, the pull cords116lift joints150upward along slots162, causing compression springs160to compress. Compression springs160are locked in a fully compressed position using a pulley clutch or other latching mechanisms known in the art coupled to compression springs160. As main arms122are lifted, the previously described hooks129are unlatched from housing110, and main arms122pivot outwardly from housing110. Main arms122may naturally pivot outward due to gravity or may be assisted by a spring. Outer arms123are caused to pivot outwardly in conjunction with the pivoting movement of main arms122by mechanisms housed within elbow joints124. The mechanisms within elbow joints124may comprise levers, springs, elastic bands, or other components known in the art. Furthermore, the compression springs160may be augmented or replaced by gears, levers, or other mechanical assemblies known in the art.

To retract arm assemblies120from their deployed positions in the embodiment ofFIGS. 4 and 5, the user pulls the pull cords116again. This action releases the latching mechanisms which are coupled to compression springs160, thus unlocking compression springs160from their compressed state. The released compression springs160push downward on joints150, causing them to slide downward in slots162. Consequently, main arms122and outer arms123are pivoted back into their closed positions. In other embodiments, arm assemblies120may be manually closed, or a separate pull cord may be used to retract arm assemblies120. Retraction of arm assemblies120with one or more pull cords may encompass, for example, a pulling action in a single stroke, or multiple pulls in a ratcheting action.

Other variations of the costume apparatus of this invention are possible. For example,FIGS. 6A and 6Billustrate a costume apparatus200with a two-step expansion process as opposed to a simultaneous deployment of an entire arm assembly as described with costume apparatus100. Costume apparatus200includes a housing210, main arms220, and outer arms230pivotally attached to main arms220. InFIG. 6A, a first activation step causes the main arms220to open as indicated by arrows240. A second activation step inFIG. 6Bsubsequently extends two outer arms230, as indicated by arrows250. Note that in this embodiment with costume apparatus200, the main arms220pivot from the top of housing210rather than near the bottom as was the case for costume apparatus100. In one embodiment, the two-step expansion may be achieved by utilizing two sets of pull cords, one cord for controlling actuation of main arms220and the other cord for controlling actuation of the outer arms230. In another embodiment, a locking mechanism—including but not limited to a hook, a latch, or a spring—may be incorporated into the arm assemblies. The locking mechanism keeps outer arm230folded against main arm220and is disabled only when main arms220are open. Thus, a locking mechanism can be used to insure expansion of outer arms230only after main arms220have been opened. In either of these embodiments, a first pull of a pull cord may open the main arms220, while a second pull of a pull cord may deploy the outer arms230. Additional configurations for implementing a two-step expansion are possible, and are not limited to the examples described herein.

In the side views ofFIGS. 7A,7B, and7C, a further embodiment according to the present invention is shown. InFIGS. 7A,7B, and7C, a costume apparatus300has a projectile launcher310mounted on a shoulder strap330for releasing a projectile320. Projectile launcher310may slide along shoulder strap330from a stored position inFIG. 7Ato a launching position as indicated by arrow340shown inFIG. 7B. Expandable arm assemblies, not shown in these side views, for costume apparatus300may be deployed with the launcher310in either the stored or launching position.

Other variations of the invention are yet possible. As one example, the housing, which has been described in this disclosure as a backpack, may instead be configured as a vest or may be secured to the user's torso with horizontal straps around the chest. Instead of pulling on the pull cords to deploy the arm assemblies, the pull cords may be reeled in and out with a rotary wheel. In another variation, the invention may comprise a single arm assembly expanding perpendicularly from the user's back rather than two arm assemblies expanding laterally. This perpendicular arm assembly may simulate, for instance, a blade along the spine of a dragon costume. Furthermore, the hinge joint which has been described within the main arm may instead be located within the outer arm.

While the specification has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments of the invention, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing, may readily conceive of alterations to, variations of, and equivalents to these embodiments. These and other modifications and variations to the present invention may be practiced by those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, which is more particularly set forth in the appended claims. Furthermore, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the foregoing description is by way of example only, and is not intended to limit the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present subject matter covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.