Abstract:
The disclosure relates to frames useful for affixing a garment to figurines such as dolls. In particular, the disclosure relates to play sets comprising a frame of the disclosure and a figurine such as a doll.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to frames useful for affixing a garment to figurines such as dolls. The disclosure also relates to play sets comprising a frame of the disclosure and a figurine such as a doll. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Children report again and again that a frustrating aspect of fashion dolls is the time and difficulty in dressing and changing the clothing for their dolls. Attempts to overcome this have often resulted in clothing that lacks the realism and style of the best fabric garments. 
     Thus, a need exists for frames and play sets that permit garments to be quickly pressed, or snapped onto, and pulled off figurines such as dolls, in seconds without difficulty or the need for additional fastening means. 
     SUMMARY 
     We thus provide frames comprising a ring having two ring ends, first members extending upwardly from the ring and connected to the ring ends, second members extending over a plane passing through the circumference of the ring and which are connected to the first members, and two hooks having shank portions and bend portions, with the shank portions extending upwardly from the portions of the second members located distal to the connections between the first members and second members and the bend portions extending from the shank portions to form termini. 
     The frames provided have different designs and uses and can be used with dolls of different scales. This is aided by the addition of at least one hinge. Importantly, such hinges can be built into the frame as part of the molding process with negligible additional cost. 
     The frames of  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4  and  5 , for example, are typically large frames for use with larger dolls. The frames of  FIGS. 6 ,  7  and  10  are typically small frames for use with smaller dolls. The frames of  FIGS. 8 and 9  comprise built-in hinges and a spring which make it easier to put these frames onto a doll. The frames of  FIGS. 11 and 12  also comprise built-in hinges and springs which make it easier to put these frames onto a doll. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows, from a frontal perspective, a frame. Typically, this is a large frame for use with larger dolls. 
         FIG. 2  shows, from a frontal perspective, a frame engaged to the body of a figurine. Typically, this is a large frame for use with larger dolls. 
         FIG. 3  shows, from a rear perspective, a frame engaged to a figurine. Typically, this is a large frame for use with larger dolls. 
         FIG. 4  shows, from a side perspective, a frame connected to at least one second material forming a portion of a garment. Typically, this is a large frame for use with larger dolls. 
         FIG. 5  shows, from a frontal perspective, a garment comprising a frame engaged to a figurine. Typically, this is a large frame for use with larger dolls. 
         FIG. 6  shows, from a side perspective, a frame engaged to a figurine. Typically, this is a small frame for use with smaller dolls. 
         FIG. 7  shows, from a rear perspective, a frame engaged to a figurine. Typically, this is a small frame for use with smaller dolls. 
         FIG. 8  shows, from a frontal perspective, a frame in an open conformation. Typically, the frames comprise built-in hinges and a spring which make it easier to put these frames onto a doll. 
         FIG. 9  shows, from a frontal perspective, a frame in a closed conformation suitable for engagement to a figurine. Typically, the frames comprise the built-in hinges and a spring which make it easier to put these frames onto a doll. 
         FIG. 10  shows, from a side perspective, a frame connected to at least one second material forming a portion of a garment. Typically, this is a small frame for use with smaller dolls. 
         FIG. 11  shows, from a rear perspective, a frame before engagement to a figurine. Typically, the frames comprise built-in hinges and springs which make it easier to put these frames onto a doll. 
         FIG. 12  shows, from a rear perspective, a frame engaged to a figurine. Typically, the frames comprise built-in hinges and springs which make it easier to put these frames onto a doll. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     It will be appreciated that the following description is intended to provide details concerning specific representative aspects of the disclosure. Additionally, all publications, including but not limited to patents and patent applications, cited in this disclosure are herein incorporated by reference as though fully set forth. 
     We provide frames comprising a split ring  1  having two ring ends  2 , first members  3  extending upwardly from the ring  1  and connected to the ring ends  2 , second members  4  extending over a plane  5  passing through the circumference of the ring  1  and which are connected to the first members  3 , and two hooks  6  having shank portions  7  and bend portions  8 , with the shank portions  7  extending upwardly from the portions of the second members located distal to the connections between the first members  3  and second members  4  and the bend portions  8  extending from the shank portions to form termini. Examples of representative structures can be seen in  FIGS. 1-4  and  6 - 12 . Importantly, it is preferred that the frames be molded in one piece from an appropriate material. 
     It will be recognized the frames may consist essentially of, or consist of, the elements disclosed as portions of the frame. Those of ordinary skill in the art will also recognize the split ring  1  comprises two distinct portions, or halves, which include a front portion located substantially opposite of the two ring ends  2  and a back portion which includes the two ring ends  2 . As those of ordinarily skill in the art will also recognize, the split ring  1  may be provided in a circular geometry, elliptical geometry or any other geometry (e.g. angular) sufficient to engage a body such as that of a figurine. Additionally, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize the elements of the frame, including the rings, may have a variety of different cross sections including circular, elliptical, rectangular and variations on these or other geometries. These other geometries for split ring  1  or the frames may be necessary to fit different figurine, such as doll, body shapes as required. 
     In examples as seen in  FIGS. 6-12 , the frame further comprises a surface  10  connected to the ring  1 , the first members  3 , the second members  4  and the shank portions  7  and which has an upper edge  11  extending between the shank portions  7 . 
     Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the surface  10  may be flat, curved, or have any complex topology necessary to accommodate and engage the features of a figurine such as a doll. 
     In another example of the frame, the surface  10  comprises at least one hinge  12  on an axis  13  extending from the ring  1  to the upper edge  11  of the surface and a substantially arcuate spring  14  spanning the axis  13  and having spring ends  15  flexibly connected to the surface  10  on either side of the axis  13 . Representative examples of such structures can be seen in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . Importantly, it is preferred that, in these frames, a hinge and spring can be built into the frame so the whole can be molded in one piece from the appropriate material. 
     The hinge  12  may be formed by a variation in the thickness of the materials of the frame. Alternatively, a hinge  12  may be formed by other means such as rings, straps, or any other hinge type or hinge means which will be readily recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art. 
     Those of ordinary skill in the art will also recognize that the upper edge  11  of the surface  10  may have any geometry such as a line, curve or variations on these. 
     A substantially arcuate spring  14  may be present. Such springs have geometries which include at least one portion of the circumference of a circle or a portion of another curve capable of storing and releasing mechanical energy. The spring ends  15  may be flexibly connected by means of straps, rings, resilient polymers, flexible materials or any other type of connection which may be rendered flexible. Again, it is preferred that, in these frames, a spring can be built into the frame so the whole can be molded in one piece from an appropriate material and so the spring can be part of the one piece molding. 
     At least one hinge  12  may extend through the ring  1 . Examples can be seen in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . 
     In another example, the frame comprises at least one hinge  12  on a pair of axes  16  extending from the ring  1  through the second members  4 , substantially arcuate springs  14  spanning the axes  16  and having first spring ends  17  and second spring ends  18 , wherein the first spring ends  17  are flexibly connected to the surface  10  on either side of the axes  16  and the second spring ends  18  are flexibly connected to the first member  3 . Examples can be seen in  FIGS. 11 and 12 . 
     In another example, at least one hinge  12  extends though the ring  1 . Such structures can be seen in  FIGS. 11 and 12 . 
     In another example, the frame is comprised of a resilient material. 
     A resilient material is one that is capable of withstanding shock or being placed into a different geometry without permanent deformation or rupture. Resilient materials may be constructed from polymers, metals, or combinations of these. Examples of such polymers include but are not limited to polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinylchloride, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polystyrene and the like or combinations of these. Examples of such polymers also include polymers of the elastomer type. It is preferred that polypropylene and polyethylene be used for frames comprising a hinge and that polyvinylchloride, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene and polystyrene be used for frames without such a hinge. Frames without the hinge may also be made from polypropylene or polyethylene, but the other materials described above may also be chosen. Ideally, such resilient materials will spring back into their original shape and hold that shape firmly so the frames do not fall off when engaged to the body of a figurine such as a doll. Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize other suitable resilient materials including composite materials such as combinations of metals and polymers in a mesh form. 
     In another example, the frame may be connected to at least one second material  19  forming a portion of a garment. Importantly, when the frame is connected to a second material, this can form an entire garment. Examples can be seen in  FIGS. 4 ,  5  and  10 . 
     This second material may be a fabric, leather, polymer or any other material which may be used to form a portion of a garment. Such garments may include but are not limited to clothing items, bags, or other accessories worn on a body such as, for example, the body of a figurine or doll. Additionally, such garments may also include costumes and outfits that transform a figurine such as a doll or animal figurine. 
     The frame can be connected to the at least one second material  19  forming a portion of a garment by any mechanical or chemical means. Examples of such mechanical means include stitching, buttons, hook-and-loop fasteners, heat welds and the like. Examples of chemical means include chemical cross-linking of materials and glues (e.g. polymerizable glues) and the like. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize numerous other means by which to connect the disclosed frames and at least one second material  19  forming a portion of a garment. 
     Such a garment may be a blouse, dress or other garment which extends around the back of a body such as a figurine and allows the blouse, dress or other garment to be effectively closed off at the back of the figurine. 
     We also provide a play set comprising the frame engaged to the body  20  of a figurine. Examples can be seen in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  5 - 7  and  12 . 
     The frame may be engaged to the body of the figurine by adjusting the springs and/or other elements of the frames to surround and embrace the body of the figurine. The frames may be engaged to the body of a figurine by any mechanism. However, there are three preferred mechanisms. One such mechanism involves simply flexing the frames apart by hand and then allowing them to snap back around the body and shoulders of a figurine such as a doll. A second such mechanism involves changing the shape of the termini  9  and the first members  3  so these have a curved shape that makes it possible to push the frames directly onto the body of a figurine. In a third such mechanism, the hinge and spring in the frames allow the frames to be placed in an open configuration and remain in an open configuration, or to be placed in a closed configuration and remain in a closed configuration so the frames can be placed onto a figurine and then snapped closed. In each of the above mechanisms, one can simply pull the frames, or garments comprising the frames, off a figurine by pulling on almost any part of them. 
     The play set figurine may be a doll. Examples can be seen in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  5 - 7  and  12 . 
     The doll may be, for example, any small scale figure of a human or other animal, real or imagined, which is used as a child&#39;s play thing or for any other purpose. Examples of such dolls include well known dolls sold under the BARBIE™ or BRATZ™ names or any other doll. Additionally, the dolls sold under the POLLY POCKET™ name are an example of a smaller doll for which the smaller frames disclosed herein are more appropriate. 
     Although the apparatus and methods have been described in connection with specific forms thereof, it will be appreciated that a wide variety of equivalents may be substituted for the specified elements described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure as described in the appended claims.