Abstract:
The present invention relates to a toy figure around which textiles can be wrapped and attached comprising: at least one opening formed on a surface of said toy figure, an elastic member formed to cover each opening wherein a wavy incision is formed on each elastic member and the elastic member is exposed and visible from the opening.

Description:
[0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part application pursuant to 37 C.F.R. 1.53(b) claiming priority in part from application Ser. No. 12/327,935. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a fastening system that allows for removably securing textiles to toy figures and accessories for purposes of creating new designs and garments for doll figures and related accessories. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Changing garments and accessories on dolls and figures is an activity that has long been a source of entertainment and play for children. Prior art dolls and toy figures require the use of pre-constructed pieces of textiles that must be sized specifically to the dimensions of a particular doll or figure. Doll garments for one doll manufacturer are not likely to fit a doll from another manufacturer. 
         [0006]    Another shortcoming of prior art doll garment play systems is that they only allow for limited input and creativity from the user in creating and imagining the doll figure fashion designs unless intricate sewing, cutting, and/or gluing is undertaken. Because doll garments are purchased as finished products, a user cannot modify or alter the design or style of prior art garments. A user may become disinterested with prior art doll garment systems because of his/her lack of interactivity with the doll fashions. As a result, prior art dolls and garment systems may only serve as a short lived source of entertainment for a child user. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a system that allows users to use their imagination and creativity for designing fashion garments from unfinished pieces of textiles. There is an additional need to provide a system that quickly and easily allows users to create fashions for dolls and figures of different sizes and dimensions without the need for sewing, cutting, or gluing. 
         [0008]    The present invention addresses the above shortcomings of the prior art by providing a versatile textile fastening system. Textiles may be inserted within the fastening system removably held in place. The toy figure may be provided in a variety of shapes and embodiments including a mannequin figure, dog figure, bag figure, petticoat figure, and capsule unit. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  illustrates a rear, perspective view of a mannequin embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  illustrates the internal configuration of the mannequin embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  illustrates a rear, perspective view of the mannequin embodiment of the present invention in practice. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the mannequin embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of a petticoat embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  illustrates a view of the internal configuration of the petticoat embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  illustrates a bottom, perspective view of a dog embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  illustrates a view of the internal configuration of the dog embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  illustrates a side, perspective view of a bag embodiment of the bag embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  illustrates a view of the internal configuration of the bag embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  illustrates a front, perspective view of the capsule unit embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  illustrates a view of the internal configuration of the capsule unit embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 13  illustrates a rear perspective of the capsule unit embodiment of the present invention fastened to a doll figure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Mannequin Embodiment 
       [0022]      FIGS. 1-3  illustrate a preferred embodiment of a mannequin form of the present invention.  FIG. 1  sets forth a rear perspective view of the mannequin embodiment 1 . The mannequin shown in  FIG. 1  comprises a head 2  torso 3 , arms 4 , and legs 5 . Openings 6  are formed on the back surface of the torso, arms, and legs. Elastic members 7  are visible from the openings. Openings may also be provided that lack the elastic members 100 . In its preferred embodiment, the mannequin form may be constructed from rigid plastic, such as PVC or other plastic polymers known in the art. 
         [0023]      FIG. 2  sets forth a perspective view of an internal configuration of the mannequin illustrating a backside member 8 , openings 6  formed on the surface of the backside member, a corresponding elastic member 7  for each opening, projections 9  surrounding the periphery of each opening on the inside of the backside member, holes 10  formed on the outer edge of each elastic member corresponding to the location of the projections on the openings, and a front face member 11 . The number of the projections is not specifically limited; however, it is preferable to have at least two or more. Openings may also be provided which lack the elastic member 100 . The backside member corresponds to a posterior section of a mannequin. The openings formed on the surface of the backside member may be configured in a longitudinal direction in relation to the torso, as well as the arms and legs. 
         [0024]    The elastic members 7  each comprise a wavy incision 12  formed in the center of the member. It is preferable that the incision be shaped in a wavy form that is bilaterally swaying along the longitudinal direction of the elastic member. By forming the incision in such a manner, textiles are more securely held than if the incision was formed in a simple linear fashion. To further secure textiles, the thickness of the elastic member may be increased so as to increase the contact area between the elastic member and the textiles. 
         [0025]    While the wavy incision provides for the optimal retention of textiles, the incision may be formed in other shapes such as a zig-zag pattern or completely vertical pattern and still fall within the scope of the invention. 
         [0026]    The holes 10  provided on the outer edge of each elastic member are arranged at positions directly opposing the projections 9  provided on the inside surface of the backside member. Fitting the projections onto the holes, respectively, the elastic member can be fixed so as to cover the opening of the backside member from the inside. The elastic member may be attached to the projections through attachment means known in the art such as glue, screws, rubber cement, or other adhesive materials. In the preferred embodiment, the elastic member may be constructed from a silicone resin or other elastic materials known in the art. 
         [0027]    The front face member complements the backside member. When the back side member and front face member are joined, a mannequin figure is formed. 
         [0028]      FIG. 3  shows an example of the mannequin embodiment of the invention in use. To practice the mannequin embodiment of the present invention, a piece of textile 13  may be wound around the torso and leg areas of the mannequin. A slack portion of the textile may be inserted within the wavy incisions of the elastic members using a push-in member 14  to securely hold the textile in place. The push-in member may taper inwards so as to further facilitate a means of inserting textiles within the wavy incisions. When the textile ends are inserted into the wavy incision, the textile pieces are securely held in place. No gluing or sewing is necessary. Depending on how tightly wound the textile pieces are wrapped around the mannequin, different fashion styles may be created. 
         [0029]    It is not necessary that textile used with the present invention come from a particular manufacturer or have specific dimensions. The configuration of the opening and corresponding elastic member represents a novel and inventive feature that can be used with a wide array of textiles of differing textures, shapes, and sizes. 
         [0030]      FIG. 4  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present invention wherein the openings formed on the surface of the mannequin and corresponding elastic members are modified from the preferred embodiment of the mannequin. The elastic members 15  shown in  FIG. 4  do not include holes. Neither does the periphery of the openings 6  on the backside member include protrusions. The elastic members are attached to the openings of the alternative embodiment of the mannequin using attachment means known in the art such as glue, screws, rubber cement, or other adhesive materials. 
         [0031]    In the alternative embodiment of the mannequin, the elastic member may not be as firmly attached to the inside surface of the backside member, however, it may be sufficiently stable in order to hold textiles. 
         [0032]      FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention wherein the figure is in the shape of a petticoat 16 . The petticoat comprises a front panel 17  and back panel 18 . The petticoat may be constructed from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or other rigid plastic polymer. 
         [0033]      FIG. 6  illustrates the internal configuration of the petticoat. Openings 6  and corresponding elastic members 7  are provided on the petticoat and have the identical construction as those provided on the preferred embodiment of the mannequin figure. Multiple openings may be distributed at various locations throughout the surface of the petticoat depending on the specifications of the manufacturer. 
         [0034]    Projections 9  surround the periphery of the openings on the internal face of the front and back panel. Holes on the elastic member correspond to the protrusions to enable the secure attachment of the elastic member to the openings. A wavy incision is formed in a longitudinal direction within the elastic member. The elastic members may be securely attached to the internal face of the openings through means known in the art such as screws, glue, or other adhesive materials. 
         [0035]    An alternative embodiment of the petticoat figure may comprise modified openings and elastic members, with the openings lacking projections and the elastic member lacking holes. Similar to the alternative embodiment of the mannequin, attachment of the elastic member to the openings in this alternative embodiment of the petticoat may be accomplished using screws, glue, or other adhesive materials known in the art. 
         [0036]    Practice of the petticoat embodiments of the invention may be conducted in the same manner as the mannequin figure. Textiles may be wrapped around the petticoat figure and a slack portion of the textile may be inserted within the wavy incision of the elastic members. Using the petticoat embodiment of the invention, different skirt designs having full and voluminous shapes may be created by changing the textiles to be wrapped around the petticoat figure. The petticoat may further be disassembled and attached to other figures such as the mannequin or the dress form that is the subject of application Ser. No. 12/327,935, to which this application is a continuation-in-part and incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0037]      FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective, underside view of a dog figure 19 . The dog figure 19  may comprise a head 20 , body 21 , fore legs 22 , hind legs 23 , and a tail 24 . The dog figure includes the opening 6  and elastic member 7  identical in construction to the mannequin and petticoat embodiments. In the preferred embodiment of the dog figure, the opening and corresponding elastic member is provided on the lower torso portion of the body. 
         [0038]      FIG. 8  illustrates the dog figure disassembled. Two complimentary and symmetrical units make up the dog figure. Pegs 25  allow for the units to be engaged to complimenting pegs on the other unit. The inside surface of the figure may be viewed in  FIG. 8  and projections 9  surrounding the opening 6  are visible. The opening and elastic member are constructed in an identical manner as the mannequin and petticoat embodiments of the invention. 
         [0039]    The dog figure embodiment of the present invention is practiced in the same manner as the mannequin and petticoat embodiments. Textile may be wound around the body of the dog and inserted into the wavy incision of the elastic member on the torso area of the dog. The user may create a variety of different wrappings to cover the dog. The dog figure may be constructed from ABS or other rigid plastic known in the art. 
         [0040]      FIG. 9  illustrates a perspective view of a bag 26  embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0041]    The bag comprises an opening on the underside of the bag. The elastic 7  member may be visible on the underside of the bag as well. Practice of the bag embodiment may be accomplished by wrapping textile around the bag and inserting a slack portion of the textile into the wavy incision of the elastic member. 
         [0042]    A push-in member as shown in  FIG. 3  may be used to facilitate the insertion of textile. A wide variety of bag styles may be formed depending on the textile used to wrap around the bag.  FIG. 9  illustrates a bag with handles. It is to be understood, however, that the shape of the bag may be modified and handles may or may not be provided, and such designs for the figures shall still fall within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0043]      FIG. 10  illustrates the internal configuration of the bag embodiment of the invention. Complimentary symmetrical units of the bag may be joined to form a complete bag figure. Pegs may be provided on the bag to engage a corresponding peg on the other unit. The opening and corresponding elastic member may be positioned on the lower surface of the bag.  FIG. 10  shows the projections surrounding the opening and corresponding holes on the elastic member. Attachment of the elastic member to the opening is accomplished in the same manner as the previous embodiments. Glue, screws, or other attachment means may be used to attach the elastic member to the opening. 
         [0044]      FIG. 11  illustrates an embodiment of the present invention wherein the opening and elastic member are provided within a capsule unit 27  which may be removably fastened to a doll regardless of the manufacturer. The capsule unit comprises a housing 28 , longitudinal opening 6 , elastic member 7 , and fastening means 29 . The fastening means may be configured to receive string, elastic, and/or hook and loop fasteners. 
         [0045]      FIG. 12  illustrates the internal configuration of the capsule embodiment of the present invention. The elastic member 7  and opening are constructed in an identical manner as the previous embodiments with holes 10  being provided on the elastic member 7  and projections 9  surrounding the opening 6  in positions corresponding to the holes for attachment. 
         [0046]      FIG. 13  illustrates a doll with a capsule unit attached to its back. Elastic members 30  may be provided on the fastening means 29  so that it functions similar to a backpack. Once the capsule unit 27  is fastened to the doll, it may be practiced in a similar manner as the previous embodiments. Textile may be wrapped around the figure of the doll and a slack portion of textile may be inserted into the wavy incision of the elastic member. 
         [0047]    It should be noted that while the preferred embodiments of the present invention are set forth in  FIGS. 1-13 , the embodiments may be modified to possess different shapes and forms, be constructed from differing materials, and/or hold different dimensions from that which is taught in this application. Such modifications shall result in embodiments which still fall within the spirit and the scope of the present invention.