Abstract:
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&#39;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.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/972,795 filed on Sep. 15, 2007 entitled “Costume Apparatus,” which is hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in full in this application for all purposes. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Winged costumes are used in many situations such as stage productions, holiday events, and children&#39;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 
       [0003]    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&#39;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. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]    Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
           [0005]      FIG. 1  provides a front view of an assembled embodiment of a deployed costume apparatus according to the present invention; 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  shows a rear view of the underlying structure of the costume apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  depicts a rear view of the costume apparatus of  FIG. 1  with arms folded; 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  gives a front view of the costume apparatus structure of  FIG. 2  with arms folded; 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  is a rear view of the costume apparatus structure of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0010]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate another embodiment according to the present invention; and 
           [0011]      FIGS. 7A ,  7 B, and  7 C depict a further embodiment according to the present invention, in which a costume apparatus is mounted with a projectile launcher. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0012]    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. 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  provides a front view of an assembled embodiment of a costume apparatus  100 . In this figure, a housing  110  includes two shoulder straps  112 , a waist strap  114 , and pull cords  116  with cord handles  117  along each shoulder strap  112 . Two arm assemblies  120  are coupled to each side of housing  110 . Arm assemblies  120  each comprise a main arm  122  and an outer arm  123  pivotally joined at an elbow joint  124 . Main arms  122  each include an upper main arm  125  and a lower main arm  126  which meet at a joint  127 . Tips  128  of outer arms  123  may be covered with a padded material such as foam. Hooks  129  near each elbow joint  124  latch into the top of housing  110  to secure the arm assemblies  120  in a folded configuration. Alternatively, hooks  129  may be incorporated onto housing  110 . A wing material  130  hangs from arm assemblies  120  and across housing  110 . 
         [0014]    In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , housing  110  is configured as a backpack. Alternatively, housing  110  may 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 assemblies  120  and which is amenable to being worn as a costume by the user. Housing  110  is hung on a user&#39;s shoulders with shoulder straps  112 , and may be additionally supported on the user&#39;s body with waist strap  114 . Pull cords  116 , which are mechanically coupled to a deployment system within the interior of housing  110 , are tethered along the front of shoulder straps  112  such that cord handles  117  may be accessed by the user. When cord handles  117  are pulled downward by the user, pull cords  116  toggle the arm assemblies  120  between an expanded or open position, as shown in  FIG. 1 , and a closed position as shown in  FIG. 3 . Note that while two pull cords  116  are embodied in  FIG. 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 assemblies  120  while another set of cords may be used to close the arm assemblies  120 . 
         [0015]    The joints  127  located along the length of main arms  122  provide unique play features to the costume apparatus  100 . In one embodiment, joints  127  are hinged to enhance safety to the user and the costume apparatus  100  while the arm assemblies  120  are deployed. Because of the wide wingspan of costume apparatus  100 , arm assemblies  120  may collide with structures encountered during play. Hinged joints  127  allow arm assemblies  120  to fold, typically rearward, when an obstacle is encountered, thus decreasing potential damage to the arm assemblies  120 . The positioning of joints  127  may be chosen based on the desired span at which a user may safely pass through obstacles, such as a doorway, with the arm assemblies  120  open. In one embodiment, joints  127  may include a torsion spring in addition to a hinge such that upper main arms  125  rebound back in alignment with lower main arms  126  when arm assemblies  120  are no longer in contact with the obstacle. Alternatively, a torsion spring may be omitted from joint  127  such that upper main arms  125  may be manually straightened by the user. 
         [0016]    In another embodiment, joints  127  may be configured as a pin joint or other type of rotational joint. For instance, a pin oriented parallel to the axis of main arm  122  allows upper main arm  125  to rotate, that is, twist, around the axis of the pin. Consequently, outer arm  128  is 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 joints  127 . 
         [0017]      FIG. 2  provides a rear view of a costume apparatus  101  in a deployed position. Costume apparatus  101  is identical to the costume apparatus  100  of  FIG. 1 , although without the wing material  130  attached so that the arm assemblies  120  may be seen more clearly. The same components related to housing  110  and arm assemblies  120  as previously described in  FIG. 1  are similarly viewed here in  FIG. 2 . Additionally, a decorative panel  140  attached to housing  110  is seen in this rear view. 
         [0018]      FIG. 3  shows a rear view of the costume apparatus  100  from  FIG. 1 , now with arm assemblies  120  in a folded position. In this folded position, only the elbow joints  124  of arm assemblies  120  are visible. Wing material  130  covers the folded arm assemblies  120 , as well as the majority of housing  110 . Panel  140  is layered over wing material  130  to provide aesthetic value as well as to assist in keeping wing material  130  secured to housing  110 . 
         [0019]    Further details of the underlying components of the costume apparatus  101  of  FIG. 2  will now be discussed.  FIGS. 4 and 5  show front and rear views, respectively, of costume apparatus  101  with arm assemblies  120  in their folded positions. Housing  110  is shown without ergonomic covering or padding so that its mechanical structure can be seen. In  FIG. 4 , joints  150 , compression springs  160 , and slots  162  are visible near the lower sides of housing  110 . Main arms  122  are pivotally coupled to housing  110  at joints  150 , which are pin joints in this embodiment. Compression springs  160 , seen within slots  162 , are coupled to joints  150  and remain at their natural length when arm assemblies  120  are folded. Pull cords  116 , with cord ends  164  fixedly attached to housing  110  as shown in  FIG. 5 , traverse a pulley system, not shown, within housing  110 . When the user pulls the pull cords  116 , the pull cords  116  lift joints  150  upward along slots  162 , causing compression springs  160  to compress. Compression springs  160  are locked in a fully compressed position using a pulley clutch or other latching mechanisms known in the art coupled to compression springs  160 . As main arms  122  are lifted, the previously described hooks  129  are unlatched from housing  110 , and main arms  122  pivot outwardly from housing  110 . Main arms  122  may naturally pivot outward due to gravity or may be assisted by a spring. Outer arms  123  are caused to pivot outwardly in conjunction with the pivoting movement of main arms  122  by mechanisms housed within elbow joints  124 . The mechanisms within elbow joints  124  may comprise levers, springs, elastic bands, or other components known in the art. Furthermore, the compression springs  160  may be augmented or replaced by gears, levers, or other mechanical assemblies known in the art. 
         [0020]    To retract arm assemblies  120  from their deployed positions in the embodiment of  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the user pulls the pull cords  116  again. This action releases the latching mechanisms which are coupled to compression springs  160 , thus unlocking compression springs  160  from their compressed state. The released compression springs  160  push downward on joints  150 , causing them to slide downward in slots  162 . Consequently, main arms  122  and outer arms  123  are pivoted back into their closed positions. In other embodiments, arm assemblies  120  may be manually closed, or a separate pull cord may be used to retract arm assemblies  120 . Retraction of arm assemblies  120  with one or more pull cords may encompass, for example, a pulling action in a single stroke, or multiple pulls in a ratcheting action. 
         [0021]    Other variations of the costume apparatus of this invention are possible. For example,  FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate a costume apparatus  200  with a two-step expansion process as opposed to a simultaneous deployment of an entire arm assembly as described with costume apparatus  100 . Costume apparatus  200  includes a housing  210 , main arms  220 , and outer arms  230  pivotally attached to main arms  220 . In  FIG. 6A , a first activation step causes the main arms  220  to open as indicated by arrows  240 . A second activation step in  FIG. 6B  subsequently extends two outer arms  230 , as indicated by arrows  250 . Note that in this embodiment with costume apparatus  200 , the main arms  220  pivot from the top of housing  210  rather than near the bottom as was the case for costume apparatus  100 . In one embodiment, the two-step expansion may be achieved by utilizing two sets of pull cords, one cord for controlling actuation of main arms  220  and the other cord for controlling actuation of the outer arms  230 . 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 arm  230  folded against main arm  220  and is disabled only when main arms  220  are open. Thus, a locking mechanism can be used to insure expansion of outer arms  230  only after main arms  220  have been opened. In either of these embodiments, a first pull of a pull cord may open the main arms  220 , while a second pull of a pull cord may deploy the outer arms  230 . Additional configurations for implementing a two-step expansion are possible, and are not limited to the examples described herein. 
         [0022]    In the side views of  FIGS. 7A ,  7 B, and  7 C, a further embodiment according to the present invention is shown. In  FIGS. 7A ,  7 B, and  7 C, a costume apparatus  300  has a projectile launcher  310  mounted on a shoulder strap  330  for releasing a projectile  320 . Projectile launcher  310  may slide along shoulder strap  330  from a stored position in  FIG. 7A  to a launching position as indicated by arrow  340  shown in  FIG. 7B . Expandable arm assemblies, not shown in these side views, for costume apparatus  300  may be deployed with the launcher  310  in either the stored or launching position. 
         [0023]    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&#39;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&#39;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. 
         [0024]    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.