Patent Publication Number: US-2002002022-A1

Title: Support system and flexible integument for dolls

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
     [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/055,703, filed Aug. 14, 1997. 
    
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0003] This invention relates to dolls and, in particular, to a support system and flexible integument that provide a natural feel, natural range of motion, and natural appearance in dolls and stuffed animals.  
       [0004] 2. Statement of the Problem  
       [0005] In the past, many attempts have been made to construct dolls and stuffed animals that are as realistic and natural as possible in both their appearance and ability to assume true-to-life positions and have their limbs moved through the same range of motion that is available to living creatures. For example, one type of doll or toy animal in the prior art, the “action figure,” is generally made wholly of a substantially stiff plastic. In this type of figure, the figure is not cast as a whole, but various portions of the figure such as the lower limbs, the upper limbs, the feet, the body, and the head are first manufactured separately, and then connected together to form the entire figure. The connection points form the joints of the limbs, and the limbs are thus enabled to move and assume various positions.  
       [0006] In most of these action figures, therefore, the joints are highly visible on the surface of the limbs, which is unattractive and unrealistic. Furthermore, many of the joints, such as the shoulder and hip joints, do not provide a fully natural range of motion. In a human being, for example, the arm can both rotate through a 360-degree circle around the shoulder and through a 180-degree arc from a position along the side of the body to a position extending directly out from the shoulder parallel to the ground and finally to a position in which the arm is raised above the head. In the action figure dolls, in contrast, the arms usually are attached to the body in such a manner that they can only perform a 360-degree rotation about the joint, and are incapable of being raised away from the body.  
       [0007] In addition to the lack of a full range of motion for its limbs, the action figure has an entirely unnatural feel when handled. Rather than the somewhat soft and yielding feel of a living being&#39;s body, the action figure is hard and unyielding.  
       [0008] In order to provide a doll or toy animal with a more natural feel, dolls and toy animals have been made entirely of fabric stuffed with batting or other substances. These dolls and toy animals, often called “rag dolls” or  15  “bean bag dolls” or “stuffed animals,” do provide a somewhat more realistic feeling when held or touched. A disadvantage that arises when the entire doll or toy animal is made of fabric is the ability of the limbs of the dolls or toy animals to be moved into both natural and unnatural positions. Sometimes such dolls or toy animals are sewn into a single, fairly stiff position that cannot be changed. At other times, the limbs are floppy, lacking support, so that these dolls or toy animals cannot be posed for any period of time in a particular position.  
       [0009] A need exists to provide dolls and stuffed animals with a more natural feel, appearance, and movements than presently exist in conventional dolls and stuffed animals.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010] The present invention comprises a doll having a natural feel, a natural appearance, and natural movements. Dolls of the present invention comprise both human and animal representations. The doll usually has a head attached to a body. At least one forward limb and at least one rearward limb are also attached to the body. The doll contains a support system extending throughout the body and limbs. The support system enables the doll to be moved in predetermined ranges of movements and thus positioned in poses that are obtainable by living beings. The support system prevents the doll from being positioned in poses that are not obtainable by the living being that is represented by the doll. The support system also enables the doll to maintain the selected pose until it is changed.  
       [0011] The support system is comprised of a forward section proximal to the head and a rearward section distal to the head. The forward section and rearward section correspond to the shoulder girdle and pelvic girdle, respectively, of living beings. The forward section and rearward section are generally rigid.  
       [0012] The forward section and the rearward section are connected by a flexible first component (the “backbone” component) that extends between the two sections. This first component provides motion that is unlimited in range but limited in scope. At least one forward limb and one rearward limb are pivotally connected to the forward section and the rearward section respectively. The forward and rearward limbs have an upper portion and a lower portion. The forward and rearward limbs contain a second component that is generally straight and stiff (the “straight” component). Each limb generally contains a straight component in its upper portion and another straight component in its lower portion. The two straight components are attached to a third component that acts as a hinge joint. The forward and rearward limbs are attached to the forward section and the rearward section by a fourth component that acts as a ball-and-socket joint.  
       [0013] Covering the support system and providing a natural feel to the doll is a flexible integument having both elasticity and resiliency. These properties of the flexible integument permit the doll of the present invention to be moved in a predetermined range of motions or posed in various natural positions with minimal bunching of the flexible integument.  
       [0014] These and other advantages, features, and objects of the present invention will be more readily understood in view of the following detailed description and the drawings.  
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0015]FIG. 1 is a partial cutaway front view of a doll representing a human and comprising the support system and flexible integument of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0016]FIG. 2 is a partial cutaway perspective view of a doll representing a dog and comprising the support system and flexible integument of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0017]FIG. 3 is a partial cutaway side view of the doll of FIG. 2.  
     [0018]FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a portion of a first component of the present invention.  
     [0019]FIG. 4B is a cross-section of the first component illustrated in FIG. 4A.  
     [0020]FIGS. 4C and 4D are side views of the first component of FIG. 4A.  
     [0021]FIG. 5 is a partial cutaway perspective view of a doll representing a dog and comprising the support system and flexible integument of a second embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0022]FIG. 6 is a partial cutaway side view of the doll of FIG. 5.  
     [0023]FIG. 7 is a side view of a doll illustrating the range of certain predetermined movements.  
     [0024]FIG. 8 is a front view of a doll illustrating the range of certain predetermined movements.  
     [0025]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a portion of a doll showing the connector component of the present invention.  
     [0026]FIG. 10 is a partial cross-section of the neck region of the doll of FIG. 9 showing the connector component and flexible integument of the present invention.  
     [0027]FIG. 11A is a front view of a prior art doll with a cloth integument.  
     [0028]FIG. 11B is a front view of a doll with a flexible integument according to the teachings of the present invention.  
     [0029]FIG. 12 is a top view of the head of a doll illustrating how the flexible integument is drawn over the molded head.  
     [0030]FIG. 13 is a side view of the head of the doll of FIG. 10 after the flexible integument is drawn over the molded head.  
     [0031]FIGS. 14 and 15 are perspective views of a doll posed in various natural positions according to the present invention.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     [0032] Overview  
     [0033] The invention described herein uses a combination of a support system and a flexible integument to provide a natural feel, a natural appearance, and natural motion to dolls and stuffed animals, so that the limbs of the dolls and stuffed animals can be placed in positions that reflect a predetermined range of movements that a human being or an animal can achieve, while avoiding unnatural positions. Each part of the invention is discussed in detail below, and the overall description follows.  
     [0034] An example of a doll  10  of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. The doll  10  shown in FIG. 1 has a human shape, but dolls  10  having the shapes of animals are meant to be included in the present invention, and such a doll  10  representing a dog is illustrated in FIG. 2. The term “dolls” in the following specification refers to both animal and human representations.  
     [0035] The doll  10  of the present invention as illustrated in FIG. 1 comprises a head  12  attached to a body  14 . At least one forward limb  20  and at least one rearward limb  30  are attached to the body  14 . Each forward limb  20  and each rearward limb  30  has an upper portion  40  and a lower portion  50 . Within the body  14  and limbs  20 ,  30  is placed a support system  200 . Stuffing material  380  is disposed around the support system  200 . The support system  200  is hidden from view by a flexible integument  300  covering the body  14  and limbs  20 ,  30 .  
     [0036] Support System  
     [0037] The support system  200  of the present invention provides a doll  10  with a realistic and natural range of motion. The range of motion provided by the support system  200  is predetennined and is based on the range of motion achievable by living animals and humans. This is accomplished by the use of a support system  200  having a plurality of components. Examples of dolls  10  containing a support system  200  according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention are shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and  3 . It should be understood that the support system  200  of the present invention is capable of being used with dolls of any shape, especially dolls that represent the human figure, as illustrated in FIG. 1, and dolls that represent animals, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, and with jointed limbs whether or not used with other doll elements, and that use of the support system  200  of the present invention with dolls representing any type of living being is contemplated under the teachings of this disclosure.  
     [0038] Turning to FIG. 1, it can be seen that, in a first preferred embodiment, the components of the support system  200  are found within the interior of the doll  10  and are completely hidden by an outer covering. The outer covering is preferably a fabric forming a flexible integument  300  covering all of or portions of the doll  10 . A stuffing material such as POLYFILL™ (see material  380  in FIGS. 1 and 2) is first disposed around the support system  200  and then covered with the flexible integument  300  such that no portion of the support system  200  is exposed to the exterior. This avoids the problem discussed hereinabove in the prior art where joints are often highly visible on the exterior surfaces of movable dolls.  
     [0039] A forward section  210  of the support system  200  is placed within the body  14  proximal to the head  12  and acts as a shoulder girdle. A rearward section  220  of the support system is placed within the body  14  distal to the head  12  and acts as a pelvic girdle. The forward section  210  and the rearward section  220  are generally rigid; however, if flexibility of the forward section  210  and the rearward section  220  is desired, such flexibility can be achieved with a first component  230  as described below. A variety of shapes are contemplated for the forward section  210  and the rearward section  220  under the teachings of the present invention. Any shape that provides the necessary structural support, along with attachment areas for the other components, is acceptable in the present invention. For example, as shown in a first preferred embodiment in FIGS. 1 and 2, the forward section  210  can have a four-prong shape (as shown in FIG. 1 for the shoulder girdle of the human doll  10  and in FIG. 2 for the shoulder girdle of the dog doll  10 ) and the rearward section  220  can have either a three-prong shape (as shown in FIG. 1 for the pelvic girdle of the human doll  10 ) or a four-prong shape (as shown in FIG. 2 for the pelvic girdle of the dog doll  10 ). In a second preferred embodiment, shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, moderately flexible foam rubber or plastic shell pieces  210 ,  220  are cut into substantially semicircular shapes and then placed at locations corresponding to the shoulder girdle and pelvic girdle of the animal being represented.  
     [0040] The forward section  210  and the rearward section  220  are attached together by a first component  230  that extends between the forward section  210  and the rearward section  220  and acts as a backbone. The first component  230  (which is sometimes referred to in this specification as the backbone component  230 ) is illustrated in more detail in FIGS.  4 A- 4 D. The first component  230  of the present invention can be used when it is desired to provide a portion of a doll  10  with motion that is unlimited in range but limited in scope. That is to say that the first component  230  can be flexed in any direction desired (the “range”), but that the total distance moved (the “scope”) in that range is predetermined and is limited to, for example, about 10 degrees to about 60 degrees from the default straight position shown in FIGS. 4A and 4C, as illustrated by arrow  400  in FIG. 4D. The first component  230  can be placed in dolls  10  in a position corresponding to, for example, the spine of a living organism. Other positions for the first component  230  are contemplated by the teachings of the present invention. For example, the first component  230  can be located so that it is in the position to act as a tail for the doll  10 , as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3.  
     [0041] The scope of the movement of the first component  230  can vary as desired depending on the type of doll. For example, in dolls representing humans, a more limited scope of movement in the first component  230  (that is, in the “backbone”), such as about 10 degrees to about 15 degrees, is desirable than in dolls representing, for instance, cats or snakes, in which the scope of movement could be as much as about 45 degrees to about 60 degrees. Furthermore, the scope of movement of the first component  230  can vary within a single doll, for example, a monkey, to provide a less flexible backbone and a more flexible tail. Such variations in the scope are predetermined by the construction of the first component  230  based upon the nature of the doll  10 .  
     [0042] In a first preferred embodiment, the first component  230  is formed of a plurality of first modules  232  attached end to end, as illustrated in FIGS. 4B and 4C. The first modules  232  of the first component  230  are limited in the degree to which they can move with respect to each neighboring module  232 . Each first module  232  can bend approximately 20 to 30 degrees with respect to its neighbor. To achieve a wider range of motion, more than one first module  232  of the first component  230  can be bent at one time, as illustrated by arrow  400  in FIG. 4D. When several of the first modules  232  are bent to obtain a wider range of motion, a smooth curve results extending over several centimeters (as shown in FIG. 4D).  
     [0043] In a second preferred embodiment of the first component  230  illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the first component  230  comprises a series of first modules  232  each separated by a short length of a second module  234 , as can be most easily seen in FIG. 6. The first modules  232  in this second preferred embodiment are preferably ball-and-socket joints. Other constructions of the first component  230  are contemplated under the teachings of the present invention (not illustrated) The first component  230  may, for example, comprise a series of hinge joints, or a series of ball-and-socket joints connected with shorter lengths of intervening second modules  234  than are shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. This latter type of construction may be used when more flexibility is desired, as in the tail of a cat or monkey doll.  
     [0044] When it is desired to provide more flexibility to the forward section  210  and the rearward section  220 , the first component  230  can be attached to these sections  210 ,  220  in locations other than as a “backbone.” For example, FIG. 1 shows a first component  230  comprising four first modules  232  attached to either side of the forward section  210  proximal to the forward limbs  20 . Although four first modules  232  are shown in FIG. 1, as few as one or two first modules  232  can be used, as illustrated in FIG. 2, or as many as six first modules  232  can be used (not illustrated). These first modules  232 , when attached to the forward section  210 , can provide additional flexibility in the manner of a “collarbone,” allowing a human doll  10  to, for example, be placed in a position corresponding to a shrug. Similarly, the first component  230  can be attached to the rearward section  220  in a position corresponding to the hips of a living being to provide more flexibility in that area of the doll  10 .  
     [0045] A second component  240  of the support system  200  is a straight, nonflexible piece  240  of variable length. The second component  240  is also referred to in this specification as the “straight” component  240 . The straight component  240  can be positioned so that, for example, it extends along the upper  40  and lower  50  portions of the limbs  20 ,  30 . Other positions for the straight component  240  could be as a part of a tail, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, or as part of the backbone component  230  instead of using the second modules  234  (not illustrated).  
     [0046] A third component  250 , or “hinge” component  250 , acts as a hinge joint, and a fourth component  260 , or “ball-and-socket” component  260 , serves as a ball-and-socket joint.  
     [0047] Various combinations of these sections  210 ,  220  and components  230 ,  240 ,  250 ,  260  are used in dolls  10  to provide realistic motions to the limbs  20 ,  30 , head  12 , and body  14 . For example, in the human doll  10  illustrated in FIG. 1, the second component  240  (the “straight” component  240 ) is used in the forward limbs  20  and rearward limbs  30  in portions  40 ,  50  of these limbs  20 ,  30  where no motion or bending is seen in human beings. That is, the straight component  240  could be used for portions of the support system  200  corresponding to the humerus and ulna in the arm  20  and to the femur and tibia in the leg  30 . For a more natural look, the straight components  240  in the rearward limbs  30  may be longer than the straight components  240  in the forward limbs  20 . In the dog doll  10  illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the straight component  240  is used in the forward  20  and rearward  30  limbs in the portions  40 ,  50  of the limbs  20 ,  30  where no motion or bending is seen in living beings. In general, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and  3 , these parts of the dolls  10  will generally correspond to the upper  40  and lower  50  portions of the limbs  20 ,  30 .  
     [0048] Either a third component  250  (the “hinge” component  250 ) or a fourth component  260  (the “ball-and-socket” component  260 ) can be placed between two straight components  240  or between a straight component  240  and a forward  210  or rearward  220  section. The hinge component  250  can be used at locations where a joint is needed that has a range of motion limited to no more than approximately 180 degrees in a single predetermined direction, for example, at a position corresponding to an elbow or knee joint in the living organism. The ball-and-socket component  260  can be used in locations where a more circular predetermined range of motion must be provided, such as those locations corresponding to shoulder, hip, ankle, or wrist joints, for example.  
     [0049] Examples of the use of the hinge components  250  and ball-and-socket components  260  are shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and  3 . For example, in the dolls  10  illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and  3 , a hinge component  250  is placed between the straight components  240  in the upper  40  and lower  50  portions of the forward limbs  20  and rearward limbs  30 . In the doll  10  illustrated in FIG. 1, a ball-and-socket component  260  is located in the “shoulder” where the upper portion  40  of the forward limb  20  attaches to the forward section  210 . Another ball-and-socket component  260  is positioned where the upper portion  40  of the rearward limb  30  is attached to the body  14  at the rearward section  220 . Another ball-and-socket joint  260  is place at the end of the lower portion  50  of the rearward limb  30  where the foot  60  is attached. In comparison, in the dog doll  10  illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, one or more modules  232  of the first component  230  are used for the “shoulder” and “hip” joints since those joints in a dog are less mobile than they are in a human, and the first component  230  provides a more restricted range of motion than the ball-and-socket component  260 .  
     [0050] It is an important aspect of the present invention that all of the sections  210 ,  220  and components  230 ,  240 ,  250 ,  260  are modular in nature. That is, for example, all hinge components  250  used in an elbow joint of one type of doll  10 , such as a human doll, are identical, all hinge components  250  used in a knee joint are identical, and all hinge components  250  in an ankle joint (in animal dolls) are identical. Similarly, all ball-and-socket components  260  used in shoulder and hip joints are identical, whereas those ball-and-socket components  260  used for the ankles and wrists (in human dolls) are smaller than the ball-and-socket components  260  used for the shoulder and hip. The straight components  240  can all be of identical length or, alternatively, a plurality of particularly specified lengths can be used to provide a more realistic appearance as described above. This modularity makes it very easy to manufacture the sections  210 ,  220  and components  230 ,  240 ,  250 ,  260  and results in considerable cost savings. The fact that the sections  210 ,  220  and components  230 ,  240 ,  250 ,  260  are modular also makes it easy for workers to quickly assemble with a limited number of sections  210 ,  220  and components  230 ,  240 ,  250 ,  260  a wide variety of different support structures  200  corresponding to different doll embodiments, including human and animal representations.  
     [0051] The sections  210 ,  220  and components  230 ,  240 ,  250 ,  260  are, in a preferred embodiment, attached together in desired combinations by using an interlocking modular system (not shown) that is identical for all the sections  210 ,  220  and components  230 ,  240 ,  250 ,  260 , enabling any one of the sections  210 ,  220  and components  230 ,  240 ,  250 ,  260  to be attached to any other one of the sections  210 ,  220  and components  230 ,  240 ,  250 ,  260  or to other parts of the system such as connectors  700  attaching the head  12  to the body  14  (see FIG. 9). The interlocking system can be used, in a first preferred embodiment, to attach the sections  210 ,  220  and components  230 ,  240 ,  250 ,  260  together immediately after the sections  210 ,  220  and components  230 ,  240 ,  250 ,  260  are formed, while they are still hot from the casting process and thus somewhat soft and flexible. When the sections  210 ,  220  and components  230 ,  240 ,  250 ,  260  later cool and harden, the interlocking system becomes irreversible, providing a strong connection and preventing the sections  210 ,  220  and components  230 ,  240 ,  250 ,  260  from inadvertently separating during movement of the joints. In a second preferred embodiment, the interlocking modular system uses a specially formed jig that mechanically maintains the correct positional relationship between the sections  210 ,  220  and components  230 ,  240 ,  250 ,  260  during assembly. It is to be understood that the sections  210 ,  220  and components  230 ,  240 ,  250 ,  260  can also be attached together by conventional methods that will be known to those skilled in the art, for example, by snapping the end of the straight component  240  into a formed socket on the hinge component  250  or ball-and-socket component  260 . Such other conventional methods of attaching the sections  210 ,  220  and components  230 ,  240 ,  250 ,  260  together will be obvious to those skilled in the art, and such other methods for attachment are contemplated under the teachings of the present invention.  
     [0052] It is important to the present invention that the combinations of sections  210 ,  220  and components  230 ,  240 ,  250 ,  260  provide a predetermined range of motion that is predicated on the range of motion that can be achieved by the living organism that the doll  10  represents. Thus, unnatural movements are not likely to occur in dolls  10  containing such sections  210 ,  220  and components  230 ,  240 ,  250 ,  260 . For example, FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate certain predetermined ranges of motion of a doll  10  representing a human. In this doll  10 , for instance, the components  240 ,  250  forming the forward limb  20  can be moved in a first predetermined direction indicated by arrow  410 . Here, the lower portion  50  of the forward limb  20  can only be moved in the first predetermined direction for a first predetermined number of degrees, that is, about 180 degrees, toward the upper portion  40  of the forward limb  20 . Similarly, the components  240 ,  250  forming the rearward limb  30  can be moved in a second predetermined direction indicated by arrow  430 . Here, the lower portion  50  of the rearward limb  30  can only be moved in a second predetermined direction for a second predetermined number of degrees, that is, about 180 degrees, toward the upper portion  40  of the rearward limb  30 .  
     [0053] The forward limb  20  can also be moved in predetermined range, that is, a 360-degree rotation around the ball-and-socket component  260  between the forward section  210  and the upper portion  40  of the forward limb  20 , as illustrated by arrow  420  in FIG. 7. In addition, the forward limb  20  can be moved in an arc of about 180 degrees from a position alongside the body  14  to a position above the head  12 , as shown by arrow  470  in FIG. 8.  
     [0054] The head  12  of the doll  10  comprises a predetermined range of motions illustrated by arrows  430  and  440  in FIGS.  7  and by arrow  490  in FIG. 8. That is, the head  12  can be tipped toward the front or rear of the body  14  as indicated by arrow  430  in FIG. 7 over a range of about  145  degrees. In addition, the head  12  can be moved to each side as indicated by arrow  490  in FIG. 8 over a range of about 100 degrees. The head can be rotated in a 360-degree range as indicated by arrow  440  in FIG. 7. Finally the head  12  of a doll  10  can be turned from side to side with relation to the body  14  (not shown) over a range of about 180 degrees.  
     [0055] The upper portion  40  of the rearward limb  30  can be moved as indicated by arrow  450  in FIG. 7 and arrow  480  in FIG. 8. That is, the upper portion  40  of the rearward limb  30  can be moved as indicated by arrow  450  forward about 180 degrees and can be moved backward about 60 degrees, for a total range of movement forward and backward of about  240  degrees. The upper portion  40  of the rearward limb  30  can also move to the side about 65 degrees, as indicated by arrow  480  in FIG. 8.  
     [0056] It is important to the present invention that the support system  200 , while providing a predetermined natural range of motion, also enables the doll  10  to maintain a particular position or pose once the doll  10  is moved into that position or pose. This “poseability” is provided by supplying the support system  200  described above with a predetermined amount of friction, so that the components  230 ,  240 ,  250 ,  260  of the support system  200 , once moved, maintain their position until moved again. The predetermined amount of friction is such that the components  230 ,  240 ,  250 ,  260  can be easily moved but sufficient friction exists so that the component  230 ,  240 ,  250 ,  260  will be able to support the weight of the doll  10  in the chosen position and also be able to resist the resiliency of the flexible integument  300 . Because of its resilient properties, the flexible integument  300 , once stretched by the motion of an underlying component, tends to return to its original, default position. The predetermined amount of friction of the support system  200  is sufficient to resist this resilience of the flexible integument  300 .  
     [0057] At desired positions, a connector  700  can be attached by the modular interlocking system of the present invention (or by a conventional method) to the sections  210 ,  220  and the components,  230 ,  240 ,  250 ,  260  of the support system  200  to provide an attachment point for other parts of the doll such as the head  12  or foot  60  or tail  70 . An example of a connector  700  attached to the forward section  210  is shown FIGS.  1 - 5 . The connector  700  can be attached directly to the forward section  210 , as shown in FIGS. 1, 4, and  5 , or the first component  230  can be placed between the connector  700  and the first section  210  if more flexibility is desired in the neck, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The connector  700  is illustrated in more detail in FIGS. 9 and 10. In this preferred embodiment, the connector  700  comprises a largely cylindrical male portion  750  having a series of detents  755  on its exterior surface, with a flange  757  extending from the connector  700 . A modular interlock (not shown) is located at the end of the connector  700  for attachment of the connector  700  to a section  210 ,  220 , or a component  230 ,  240 ,  250 ,  260  of the support system  200 , such as the forward section  210  as illustrated in FIG. 1 or the first component  230  as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. A female element  760  corresponding to the male portion  750  is located on the head  12  or other part that is to be attached. To connect the head  12  to the body  14 , for example, the female element  760  is slipped over the male element  750  until it is stopped by the flange  757 , as can be seen in more detail in FIG. 10. The detents  755  then act to prevent the attached part from being detached without the action of considerable force. It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the description of the connector  700  found herein and that other conventional attachment systems are contemplated under this disclosure. For example, portions of the dolls  10  can be connected by gluing or soldering the parts, or by other attachment systems that are known to those skilled in the art.  
     [0058] Flexible Integument  
     [0059] An important aspect for providing a natural appearance, natural feel and natural range of motion to dolls involves the use of an outer covering, or integument, that reflects the properties of the skin of the living being. Among these properties, those of most interest to the present invention are the properties that permit a wide range of motion, that is, elasticity and resiliency. Elasticity is the ability to resist deformation by stretching, and resiliency implies the ability to recover to the original shape after the deforming influence is removed.  
     [0060] Previous embodiments of dolls have been constructed with fabric bodies, often including all of or portions of the limbs, to provide a soft and more true-to-life feel to the touch. These fabric bodies are often made of a cotton cloth or cotton/polyester blend. Such fabric bodies have the advantages of being inexpensive and easy to manufacture, and can be constructed in nearly any shape desired. When conventionally stuffed with batting, the fabric also permits a certain amount of movement of the limbs.  
     [0061] However, when dolls with cotton fabric bodies are required to provide a range of motion similar to that available to a living body, the cotton fabric can restrict the full extent of the motion. This occurs when the limb of the doll is moved beyond the point where the fabric can follow. Indeed, when the motion of a limb places tension on the cotton fabric, the fabric not only restricts movement, but it can pull the limb back to the default position. Tension on the cotton fabric can also cause other portions of the doll to move when such movements were not intended. The result is that the limbs of dolls having conventional cotton fabric bodies cannot be placed for any long period of time in positions other than the default position.  
     [0062] For example, by rotating the shoulder joint, human beings can move their arms through a range of about 180 degrees from a position in which the hand points toward the ground to a position in which the hand extends upward and over the head. In a prior art doll  500  representing a human figure and constructed of a cotton fabric body, as illustrated in FIG. 11A, when the arm  510  is lifted  515  at the shoulder joint upward toward the head  540 , the fabric restricts the full motion of the arm  510  as the fabric is pulled tight under the armpit  520 . Thus, the arm  510  of such dolls  500  cannot rise completely above the shoulder; indeed, the arm  510  cannot rise above a position parallel to the ground. Similar problems occur at the other joints of the body. Thus, the range of motion of the limbs of such dolls is limited by the amount of cotton fabric available in the body of the doll. To remedy this problem, it is possible to provide additional amounts of cotton fabric around the joints  525 . However, the additional fabric results in large folds and bulges of excess fabric at the joints when the limb is not bent, which is unattractive and detracts from a realistic appearance. In addition, the excess fabric does not hold the stuffing material firmly, and often allows the stuffing material to migrate, forming unsightly lumps and bulges.  
     [0063] A preferred embodiment of the present invention remedies this problem by providing dolls  10  with an integument  300  that is constructed of a flexible, elastic, and resilient fabric that can stretch in any direction to follow the motions of the body  14  and limbs  20 ,  30  of the doll  10 , yet recover its original shape when the body  14  and limbs  20 ,  30  are in an extended or default position, enabling the body  14  and limbs  20 ,  30  to move throughout the full range of natural motions found in the living organism, and enabling the limbs  20 ,  30  to be placed in a position other than the default position. Such a flexible integument  300  also furnishes dolls  10  with a more natural feel and appearance than a cotton fabric or vinyl covering, while maintaining the advantages of low cost, ease of manufacture, and the ability to be constructed in any desired shape.  
     [0064] An example of a doll  10  with a flexible integument  300  is illustrated in FIG. 11B. In comparison with the prior art doll  500  having a cotton fabric body as shown in FIG. 11A, the doll  10  shown in FIG. 11B is capable of having its joints positioned throughout the entire range of natural motion, with the flexible integument  300  stretching  530  when necessary to follow the flexing of, for example, a shoulder joint and recovering its shape when the joint is returned to its default position. Because of the elastic properties of the flexible integument  300  that enable it to stretch  530 , little excess  550  is necessary to enable a limb to move.  
     [0065] Another example of a doll  10  with a flexible integument  300  is illustrated in FIG. 1. Here, the flexible integument  300  extends over the body  14  of the doll  10  and along the upper portions  40  of the limbs  20 ,  30 . It is to be understood that the flexible integument  300  could extend further along the lower portions  50  of the limbs  20 ,  30 , and indeed along the entire surface of the doll  10 , including the feet and head, as illustrated by the dog doll  10  of FIG. 2.  
     [0066] The flexible integument  300  of a preferred embodiment of the present invention can be made of one or several of the conventional elastomeric fabrics that are presently available in commerce, such as, for example, fabrics containing spandex. Spandex is a synthetic fiber made of at least 85% of the polymer polyurethane. While these preferred elastomeric fabrics can be used in the present invention, other known elastomeric fabrics having a particularly desired amount of elasticity and resiliency also can be used in the present invention, as will be obvious to those skilled in the art, and such other elastomeric fabrics are considered to be contained within the scope of the present invention. Examples of such elastomeric fabrics are described in the prior art by Greenwald et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 3,357,076) and Hamilton (U.S. Pat. No. 5,478,514).  
     [0067] The fabrics of Greenwald et al. are stated to have a potential stretch in the range of less than 10% to about 215% longer than the resting length of the fabric, whereas the fabrics described by Hamilton have a potential elastic stretch of 18% to 45%. For the purposes of the present invention, an elastomeric fabric having a potential stretch in all directions of about 0% to about 100% is preferred. That is, if a piece of this preferred elastomeric fabric has a resting length L 1 , for example, it can be stretched to a longer length, for example, L 1 +100% L 1 =L 2 .  
     [0068] Dolls can be made with the flexible integument  300  covering different portions of their surfaces. In a first preferred embodiment, illustrated by the animal dolls  10  in FIGS. 2 and 3, the flexible integument  300  extends over the entire surface of the head  12 , body  14 , and limbs  20 ,  30  of the doll  10 , from head to toe. In this first preferred embodiment, the extension of the flexible integument  300  over the entire surface of the doll  10  permits all the joints to obtain their full predetermined range of motion. In a second preferred embodiment, such as that illustrated in FIG. 1, the flexible integument  300  may cover a substantial portion of the doll  10 , for example, from the neck over the entire body  14  and extending along the upper limbs  40  to the knee and elbow joints, and the remainder of the limbs  50  may be formed from vinyl or another conventional substance. In this second preferred embodiment, the extension of the flexible integument  300  down to the elbow and knee joints enables these joints to bend naturally at the appropriate location. This is especially important for those dolls  10  discussed below that also have a support system  200  in addition to the flexible integument  300 . Prior art dolls often have vinyl arms and legs in which the vinyl extends past the area of the elbow and knee joints and closer to the body. In these dolls, the arms and legs bend in the middle of what is normally a straight and inflexible portion of the limb. Thus, extending the flexible integument  300  to the hinge joint  250  areas of the limbs  20 ,  30  represents an important advance in providing a realistic doll capable of natural movements. The extension of the flexible integument  300  down the arms  20  of human dolls  10  also provides such dolls  10  with a realistic feel when they are picked up and handled, as most people tend to pick up such dolls  10  by grasping them in the shoulder and upper arm areas.  
     [0069] In a first preferred embodiment, the flexible integument  300  can be smooth, as would be desired for a doll  10  representing a human figure as shown in FIG. 1 or representing a hairless animal such as an amphibian or snake (not shown). In a second preferred embodiment, the flexible integument  300  can be textured, for example, to represent fur or feathers, as would be desired for a doll  10  representing an animal such as the dog shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The flexible integument  300  can be left exposed, as would be desired for a doll  10  representing a human figure as shown in FIG. 1, or the flexible integument  300  can be covered with a second flexible integument  310  having fur or other textured material attached on the outside, as would be desired in the case of an animal doll. In the latter case, as shown in FIG. 6 and in more detail in FIG. 10, the first flexible integument  300  is substantially tightly stuffed, and the second flexible integument  310  is slightly larger than the first integument  300 , so that the second integument  310 , when drawn over the first integument  300  as illustrated in FIG. 10 is more loosely draped. This dual integument system provides a natural feel to the animal doll  10 , as the second integument  310  can be moved over the first, firmer integument  300  similar to the manner in which the skin and hide of a living animal can be moved over the underlying fascia and muscles.  
     [0070] In dolls  10  that do not contain a support system  200 , the flexible integument  300  can be used to provide natural motion to the doll  10  in the following manner. It is contemplated by the present invention that fabrics having different elasticities and resiliencies could be combined in one doll  10  so that, for example, the front portion of an elbow joint would be covered with a portion of flexible integument  300  with very low elasticity, while the back portion of the elbow joint would be covered with a portion of flexible integument  300  with greater elasticity. Thus, it would be easier for such an elbow joint to flex in the direction away from the more elastic integument  300  than to flex in the opposite direction.  
     [0071] Combination of Support System  200  and Flexible Integument  300   
     [0072] Although dolls can be manufactured with a flexible integument  300  that provides a wide range of motion and a realistic feel as described above, the limbs of such dolls may still be able to be moved into positions that are not usually found in living beings. The present invention therefore contemplates a highly preferred embodiment in which dolls are constructed that have both a support system  200  and a flexible integument  300 . Such dolls  10  are illustrated in FIGS.  1 - 3 ,  5 - 6 , and  14 - 15 .  
     [0073] In this highly preferred embodiment of the dolls  10  of the present invention, the flexible integument  300  is drawn over the support system  200 . If, as in the dog doll  10  shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the flexible integument  300  extends from neck to toe, the flexible integument  300  is first drawn over the support system  200 , and then stuffing material  380  (as shown in FIG. 7) is stuffed into the flexible integument  300  and around the support system  200  to fill out the shape of the body. In an alternative preferred embodiment, the support system  200  can be first cushioned by wrapping it with foam (not shown) and/or disposing the stuffing material  380  around the support system  200  before the flexible integument  300  is drawn on.  
     [0074] If, as in the human doll  10  shown in FIG. 1, the flexible integument  300  extends only part way along the length of the limbs  20 ,  30  to the elbows and knee joints, one method of manufacturing a doll  10  having both the support system  200  and the flexible integument  300  is performed as follows. The rearward limbs  30  are first attached to the support system  200  using the modular interlocking system described hereinabove, or by conventional methods that will be known to those skilled in the art. Once the rearward limbs  30  and the support system  200  are connected, the flexible integument  300  can be drawn over this “skeleton” and attached to the proximal ends of the vinyl lower limbs  50  by such methods as gluing or stapling or other conventional methods to form a firm connection. The flexible integument  300  is then stuffed with stuffing material  380 . As with the dog doll  10  discussed above, the support system  200  of the human doll  10  can be wrapped with foam or stuffing material  380  can be disposed around the support system  200  if desired before the flexible integument  300  is placed over it.  
     [0075] Once the bodies of the dolls  10  are prepared, the heads  12  are attached to the support system  200 , for example, by connectors  700  as discussed above. The heads  12  can be manufactured of, for example, vinyl, or of any other conventional material that can be molded, as will be known by those skilled in the art. For the human dolls  10 , this completes the basic manufacturing process. However, for the animal dolls  10 , a second flexible integument  310  having a furry or hairy exterior may be drawn over the first flexible integument  300  as described above before the head  12  is attached.  
     [0076] The heads  12  of the animal dolls  10  usually do not have two layers of flexible integument  300 ,  310 . In animal dolls  10 , the heads  12  are generally sculpted or molded of vinyl or another conventional substance to substantially model the actual shape of the head and face of the particular type of animal represented, such as the boxer dog shown in FIGS. 5, 12, and  13 . For these heads  12  formed of molds  80 , a separate portion  600  of the flexible integument  300  is drawn over the formed mold  80  like a glove is drawn onto a hand, to provide a textured exterior before the head  12  is attached to the body of the doll  10 , as illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13. This separate portion  600  of the flexible integument  300  often will have different stretch characteristics than those described above. That is, it is sometimes preferable for the separate portion  600  to be less elastic and more resilient than the flexible integument  300 ,  310  used on the body portion of such dolls  10 . This would mean that the separate portion  600  would not be able to stretch as much and the flexible integument  300 ,  310  used on the body portion. It is contemplated under the teachings of the present invention that the separate portion  600  of the flexible integument  300  would have a potential stretch of about 0% to about 100%.  
     [0077] The dolls  10  of the highly preferred embodiment described above that have both a support system  200  and a flexible integument  300  can be moved in a natural predetermined range of motion throughout the entire range of motion that is found in the living beings that they represent, and without the use of unattractive excess fabric bunching at the joints when they are moved. Equally important, the limbs  20 ,  30  of dolls  10  that have both the support system  200  and the flexible integument  300  cannot be placed in positions that living creatures are unable to obtain. Thus, dolls  10  manufactured according to the present invention have a desirable natural and realistic appearance and feel and their limbs can be placed in a plurality of chosen true-to-life positions, as illustrated by the dog doll  10  in FIGS. 14 and 15. Furthermore, once the dolls  10  are put into a chosen position, the support system  200  will maintain that pose. This is illustrated by the dolls  10  in FIGS. 14 and 15. In FIG. 14, the doll  10  is placed in a recumbent position with the forward limbs  20  bent at the elbow joint and one of the rearward limbs  30  extended. The flexible integument  300  is slightly wrinkled  550  at the top of the elbow joint and is stretched  560  over the bottom of the elbow joint, and these reactions of the flexible integument  300  to the position of the forward limb  20  are no more than might be seen in a living dog. In FIG. 15, in contrast, the doll  10  has been posed in a sitting position with a forward limb  20  extended outward and the formerly extended rearward limb  30  flexed tightly. This pose can be maintained indefinitely by the support system  200  (not shown in FIG. 15) against the weight of the forward limb  20 .  
     [0078] The above discussion represents an important feature of the present invention in that the design of a jointed limb constructed with the support system, stuffing, and flexible integument of the present invention can be utilized in and of itself to create a lifelike, poseable limb whether or not used with other doll elements.  
     [0079] The above disclosure sets forth a number of embodiments of the present invention. Other arrangements or embodiments, not precisely set forth, could be practiced under the teachings of the present invention and as set forth in the following claims.