Patent Publication Number: US-5830035-A

Title: Toe puppet

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/553,885, filed Nov. 6, 1995 now abandoned. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates broadly to puppets, and more particularly, pertains to a puppet adapted to be mounted on a single digit of a human appendage, such as a toe on one&#39;s foot, for providing animated motion of a figurine responsive to flexure or similar movement of the single digit. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Although the prior art is replete with puppets providing animated movement through the use of two or more digits or fingers, there has been limited development in creating single digit-mounted puppets which provide a three dimensional, amusing effect. One example of a finger puppet worn on a single digit is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,911,618 issued Oct. 14, 1975 to Gerst. In this patent, correspondingly different facial expressions can be generated by differential movement of the finger joint. That is, when digit flexure occurs at one or more joints, animated movement of a nose, nostrils, and upper lip movement in combination with jaw movement produces a comic facial animation. 
     It remains desirable to provide a simplified, single digit-mounted puppet in which a minimal amount of flexure will produce a fully animated motion such that a character or figurine moves in a predominantly backward and forward path. It is also desirable to provide a single digit-mounted puppet which may be snugly worn on one&#39;s finger or toe. It is further desirable to provide a single digit mounting structure for a puppet which permits adjustability and interchangeability of various characters or figurines. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention advantageously provides a novelty or amusement device in the form of a toe or finger-mounted puppet which provides a relatively high degree of comic animation in response to a nominal amount of toe or finger flexure. The puppet depends upon a unique, yet simple mounting structure which mimics the advance and retreat of a chosen character or figurine. 
     In one aspect of the invention, a puppet is adapted to be mounted on a single human digit for providing animated motion of a figurine responsive to movement of the single human digit. The puppet comprises a hollow, elastic cap having an interior wall defining a cavity into which the single human digit is snugly received. The cap includes a resilient neck portion for supporting the figurine at a distance spaced from the single human digit such that movement of the single human digit causes the neck portion and the figurine to oscillate to and fro. In the preferred embodiment, the neck portion is constructed and arranged to be one-piece with the elastic cap. In an alternative embodiment, the neck portion is a separate element constructed and arranged to be attached to the elastic cap. 
     In another aspect of the invention, a puppet is adapted to be mounted on a single digit of a human appendage for providing animated motion of a figurine responsive to flexure of the single digit. The puppet comprises a hollow, elastic cap having an interior wall defining a cavity into which the single digit is snugly received. The cap includes a resilient, solid, elongated neck portion extending upwardly and rearwardly with respect to the single digit for supporting the entirety of the figurine at a distance spaced from the single digit such that flexure of the single digit causes the figurine to travel in a predominantly forward and backward path relative to the human appendage. 
     In yet another aspect of the invention, a toe puppet is adapted to be mounted on the large toe for providing animated motion of a character responsive to wiggling movement of the large toe. The puppet comprises a hollow, elastic cap having an interior wall defining a cavity into which the large toe is snugly received. The cap includes a resilient, solid, elongated neck portion extending upwardly and rearwardly with respect to one&#39;s foot for supporting the character at a distance spaced from the large toe such that, due to the length of the neck portion and the weight of the character, wiggling movement of the large toe causes the character to traverse back and forth. The character is friction fit on the neck portion to allow adjustability and interchangeability of the character on the neck portion. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will become better understood by reference to the following detailed description of the preferred exemplary embodiment when read in conjunction with the appended drawing wherein like numerals denote like elements; and 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a human foot showing a mounting digit in the form of a large toe provided with the puppet embodying the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view illustrating the elastic cap integrally formed with the neck portion embodying the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3--3 of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view illustrating an alternative embodiment of the invention illustrating the elastic cap bonded or otherwise affixed to the neck portion; and 
     FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5--5 of FIG. 4. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a puppet generally identified by the reference numeral 10 as mounted on a single digit of a human appendage, in this case, the large toe 12 of a person&#39;s foot 14. 
     The puppet 10 comprises a hollow, elastic cap 16 preferably formed of soft rubber or the like. The cap 16 has an interior wall 18 defining a cavity into which the large toe 12 is snugly received. The cap 16 includes a resilient, solid, elongated neck portion 20 constructed preferably of rubber, which extends from an upper portion 16a of the cap 16 upwardly and rearwardly with respect to the large toe 12. The neck portion 20 functions as a mounting structure to support a figurine or character 22 at a predetermined distance spaced from the large toe 12. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cap 16 is molded or otherwise formed in one piece with the neck portion 20. In an alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the neck portion 20 is a separate element which is bonded or similarly attached to the elastic cap 16 which is formed of an elastic fabric material such as spandex or the like. In each embodiment, the neck portion 20 has a free end 24 which is typically friction fit into the figurine or character 22 in such a manner that an interchangeable figurine or character 22 may be readily attached and detached from the neck portion 20. 
     Due to the length and resiliency of the neck portion and the weight of the figurine or character 22, minimal flexure or wiggling movement of the large toe 12 fitted with the puppet 10 will cause the figurine or character 22 to traverse to and fro or oscillate in a predominantly backward and forward path which mimics the advance and retreat of the figurine or character 22 and provides an amusing effect. However, depending on the dexterity and control of one&#39;s single digit, one may also move or oscillate the figurine or character 22 to and fro in a limited lateral or circular motion. 
     Neck portion 20 is constructed such that it provides a relatively gradual and constant taper in its depth between upper wall 16a and free end 24. Neck portion 20 has a relatively great reduction in its width at its base adjacent upper wall 16a, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, and thereabove tapers gradually and constantly toward free end 24. This provides a reduction in the overall cross-section of neck portion 20 toward free end 24. During movement of the user&#39;s toe 12, figurine 22 experiences compound back and forth movement under the influence of its own weight movement caused by flexure of neck portion 20 due to its tapered cross-section, and movement of neck portion 20 as a whole relative to cap 16. 
     It should be appreciated that by virtue of the friction fit mounting of the figurine or character 22 on the neck portion 20, the figurine or character 22 may be adjustably positioned upwardly or downwardly as well as from side-to-side depending on the male and female design of the figurine or character 22 and the free end 24 of the neck portion 20. It should also be understood that other figurines or characters 22 may be mounted on other single digits of the hand or foot to provide the desired effect. 
     While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain substitutions, alterations and omissions may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, while the puppet 10 of the present invention is shown mounted on the large toe of a human foot, the elastic cap of the puppet is also conformable to the shape of a finger on one&#39;s hand. Accordingly, the foregoing description is meant to be exemplary only, and should not be deemed limitative on the scope of the invention set forth with following claims.