Abstract:
A display stand for supporting either a rigid or non-rigid doll or other inanimate human-shaped figure. A flat base and vertical post balance the figure in an upright position. The vertical post telescopes to adjust for the height of the figure. A bracket and a belt extend from the post and provide further support for the figure. The bracket fits under and against the figure&#39;s pelvis, providing upward support, and may be moved along the vertical post to adjust for the length of the figure&#39;s legs. The belt fits around the figure&#39;s torso. Both the bracket and the belt are sufficiently flexible so as to adjust for the figure&#39;s circumference and to not mar its surface or weaken its structure. A variation of the display stand permits the figure to be held in a range of positions varying from vertical to horizontal.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to the field of display stands for dolls or other inanimate figures of human-shaped beings. More particularly, the invention relates to stands that do not require the figure to be already configured for use with a particular stand or to be modified for use with the stand. 
     Devices for displaying dolls are typically used to balance the figure in a vertical position. One type is a stand that requires a bar or rod to be projected into the body of the figure. Stands of this type are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,009,284 and 3,010,225. This type of stand in unsatisfactory because it requires either that the figure be already configured for use with the stand or that the figure be modified, such as by drilling a hole into it. 
     Another type of stand grips or restrains the feet or legs on the figure. Such stands are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,516,632 and 3,675,362. In the first of these patents, the stand grips both legs near the hips. In the second, the legs are restrained below the knees. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,567,084 and 4,127,251 disclose stands for supporting a doll by clamping onto one foot or one leg. Such doll stands are limited in usefulness because they are only able to support a doll that is rigid through the legs, back and shoulders. Further, such stands are inherently unstable unless the base is substantially heavy to compensate for the lack of support for the upper portion of the figure. 
     Another type of doll stand includes a base with a vertical framework having portions that grip the figure under the arms or around the waist. A stand of this type is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 479,481, in which the figure is grasped around the waist with spring-tensioned arms. Another stand of this type is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,009,284. These grip-type stands are undesirable for fragile or delicate figures because the figure merely hangs from a single gripping position. This position could weaken a delicate figure. These grip-type stands are also undesirable because the gripping means are necessarily rigid. The gripping means rely on substantial pressure against the figure, and therefore tend to tear, mar, and weaken the surface of fragile and delicate figures. Furthermore, if the gripping means are placed over the clothing, the clothing is likely to be torn and dressing or undressing the figure is inhibited. Nor do the gripping means contour to the shape of the figure&#39;s body, and thus tend to result in an unsightly appearance whether placed inside or outside of the figure&#39;s clothing. The gripping also means tend to slip on round-bodied figures. 
     Still other doll stands have used a Y-shaped vertical support in which the figure straddles the fork of the Y. Such stands are undesirable because there is nothing to support the upper torso and nothing to prevent the figure from falling sideways. 
     None of the above stands are desirable for use with fragile or delicate figures, such as antique dolls. For such figures, it is desirable to have a stand that supports the figure in more than one place. Preferably, the means of supporting the figure should be those means that are least likely to weaken the figure&#39;s structure, and offset the effects of gravity by supporting the figure from underneath its center of gravity. 
     Additionally, none of the stands listed above easily allow the figure to be dressed and undressed without removing the figure from the stand, Dressing and undressing in each of the types of stands discussed above requires that the figure be unfastened or removed from all support means. This is especially detrimental for antique, fragile, or valuable figures, where limited handling is desirable. 
     Additionally, the above-described stands each require to some extent that the figure be balanced on, or supported by, its own feet. If the feet are not flat on the bottom, the stability of the doll in the stand is impaired. 
     Finally, none of these stands are adaptable to support a figure in a non-vertical position. Thus, they have limited usefulness when it is desired to display the figure in a tilted position. They also have limited usefulness for &#34;baby dolls&#34;, whose legs are in a bowed position similar to those of a newborn human infant. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the invention is to provide an adjustable stand for supporting either a rigid or non-rigid, inanimate, human-shaped figure in a secure, upright position. A telescoping post permits adjustment of the stand to accommodate figures of varying heights. A bracket extends from the mid-portion of the post and supports the figure under and against its lower torso. A lateral back support and belt extend from the upper end of the post and support the figure around its upper torso. A flat base is sufficiently heavy to stabilize the stand. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a stand that is adjustable for differently proportioned figures. The bracket is adjustable in height to permit support for figures of varying leg length and is adjustable in depth to permit support for figures of varying hip circumference. Similarly, the belt is adjustable to permit support for figures of varying torso circumference. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a stand that easily permits the figure to be dressed and undressed without removal from the stand. The bracket and the belt independently support the figure. Thus, one support means can be removed without the figure falling over. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a stand that will not allow the figure to rotate around the stand. Thus, the telescoping post may be rectangular in cross-sectional area. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a stand that is not destructive to fragile or delicate figures. Thus, the bracket may be covered with soft material and the belt may be made from soft, flexible materials. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a stand that is adaptable so that it may be used for holding the figure in positions that range from vertical to horizontal. Thus, the inner bar of the telescoping post may be replaced with another bar having a pivot fastener at it upper end. The bracket is replaced with a modified bracket, whose mid-portion is attached to the top of the telescoping post by means of the pivot fastener. The lateral back support and belt extend from this modified bracket at its upper end, rather than from the upper end of the telescoping post. The pivot fastener permits adjustment of the figure to any position ranging from vertical to horizontal. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS. 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the stand as used for holding a figure in an upright position. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the stand shown in FIG. 1, holding a figure, as supported by the stand in FIG. 1. 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the stand with an alternative bracket, inner vertical bar, and pivot fastener. 
     FIG. 4 is a detail view of the pivot fastener shown in FIG. 3. 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the stand shown in FIG. 3, holding a figure as supported by the stand in FIG. 3. 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative telescoping post. 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative telescoping bracket for the bracket shown in FIG. 3. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to FIG. 1, the invention has a flat base 10, having a front end 12 and a back end 14. The base 10 is of a size and shape to deter the stand from toppling due to an imbalance of weight when the stand holds a figure. 
     The base 10 has a hollow outer vertical bar 16 mounted on it. The lower end 18 of the outer vertical bar 16 is attached to the base 10, and the upper end 19 of the outer vertical bar 16 extends upward perpendicular to the base 10. An inner vertical bar 22 is slideably placed inside the outer vertical bar 16. The inner vertical bar 22 has a cross sectional area of the same proportions, but of slightly smaller dimensions than the outer vertical bar 16. The lower end 23 of the inner vertical bar is slidably engaged by the outer vertical bar 16, and the upper end 24 of the inner vertical bar 22 extends upward perpendicular to base 10. The configuration of the outer and inner vertical bars 16 and 22 allows the inner vertical bar 22 to telescope inside the outer vertical bar 16. 
     To secure the inner vertical bar 22 at a desired position inside the outer vertical bar 16, a first locking means 30 is located at the upper end 19 of the outer vertical bar 16. The first locking means 30 comprises two flanges 32 and 34 extending from opposing sides of the outer vertical bar 16. These flanges each have an orifice 36 and 38 through which a tightening screw 40 passes. The tightening screw 40 is outwardly threaded. One or both of the orifices 36 and 38 may be inwarwardly threaded. When the tightening screw 40 is tightened, the flanges are pushed against opposing sides of the inner vertical bar 22, thereby securing the inner vertical bar 22 at a desired position. The tightening screw 40 has a lug head 42 so that the first locking means 30 may be tightened and loosened without the aid of tools. 
     A bracket 50 extends from the inner vertical bar 22. Preferably, the bracket 50 is made of semi-rigid material and is covered with a soft coating. The bracket 50 is sufficiently flexible to permit it to be bent to conform to the shape of the figure&#39;s torso, and is sufficiently rigid to permit it to securely hold the figure in a desired orientation. The bracket 50 has a rear portion 52 and a front portion 54. The rear portion 52 of the bracket 50 is sufficiently narrow to permit it to fit under the pelvis between the legs of the figure to be supported. The end of the rear portion 52 of the bracket 50 is joined to the inner vertical bar with a second locking device 62. The front portion 54 of the bracket 50 extends toward the front end 12 of the base 10, and forms a brace for supporting the lower torso of the figure. 
     The second locking means 60, which is attached to the bracket 50, includes a rigid collar 62 and a tightening screw 64. The collar 62 surrounds the inner vertical bar 22 and has an inner cross-sectional area that is of the same proportions but of slightly larger dimensions than the inner vertical bar 22. The collar 62 has a rear side 67 and a front side 66. The front side 66 of the collar 62 is attached to the end of the rear portion 52 of the bracket 50. The rear side 67 of the collar 62 has an inwardly threaded aperture 68 through which the tightening screw 64 passes. The tightening screw 64 is outwardly threaded. The tightening screw 64 may be screwed into or out of the aperture 68, thereby securing or unsecuring the bracket 50 at a desired location along the inner vertical bar 22. The tightening screw 64 has a lug head 65 so that the second locking means 60 may be tightened and loosened without the aid of tools. 
     At the upper end 24 of the inner vertical bar is a lateral support bar 70 for supporting the upper torso of the figure against the inner vertical bar 22. Preferably, the lateral back support bar 70 is slightly arcuate, with the concave side facing the front 12 of the base 10. The lateral back support bar may also have slots 72 and 74 through which a belt 80 passes. The lateral support bar 70 is sufficiently flexible to allow for adjustment to accommodate the curvature of the figure&#39;s torso, and sufficiently rigid to permit it to securely hold the figure in a desired position. 
     The belt 80 provides further support for the figure around its upper torso. Preferably, the belt is made of soft, flexible material. The ends 82 and 84 of the belt fasten together with hook and eye fastening means. 
     FIG. 2 shows the display stand in FIG. 1 with a figure mounted thereon. The figure&#39;s feet rest on the top of the base 10. The front of the figure faces the front 12 of the base 10. The legs of the figure straddle the rear portion 52 of the bracket 50. The figure may thereby be supported upwardly, so that, if desired, all or most of its weight rests on the bracket rather than on the base 10. The lower torso of the figure is supported against the vertical bar 22 by the front portion 54 of the bracket 50. The upper torso of the figure rests against the lateral support bar 70 and is held against the lateral support bar 70 by the belt 80. The curvature of the lateral support bar may be adjusted to accommodate the curvature of the circumference of the figure&#39;s upper torso. The height of the inner vertical bar 22 is adjusted to a position inside the outer vertical bar 16 to accommodate the overall height of the figure. The height of the bracket 50 is adjusted along the inner vertical bar 22 to accommodate the length of the figure&#39;s legs. The front portion 54 of the bracket 50, being of semi-rigid material, may be bent to accommodate the thickness of the lower torso and to thereby cradle the lower torso of the figure into the bracket 50 and against the inner vertical bar 22. The belt 80 is adjusted to accommodate the circumference of the upper torso of the figure and to secure it against the lateral support 70. The bracket 50 may be removed from the inner vertical bar 22 if desired, and may be slid down the vertical bar 22 for ease in dressing and undressing or otherwise handling the figure. 
     FIG. 3 shows an alternative configuration of the stand shown in FIG. 1, wherein the inner vertical bar 22, second locking means 60 and bracket 50 shown in FIG. 1 have been replaced with a substitute inner vertical bar 100, pivot fastener 110 and bracket 120. In FIG. 3, the pivot fastener 110 is attached to the top of the inner vertical bar 100. The inner vertical bar 100 has a bore 102 drilled through its upper end. 
     FIG. 4 is a detail view of the pivot fastener 110 shown in FIG. 3. The pivot fastener 110 has two arms 112 and 114 and a connecting bar 116. The arms are sufficiently spaced apart to allow the top of the inner vertical bar 100 to fit between them. Each of the arms 112 and 114 have an aperture 113 and 115 that is congruous to the bore 102 in the upper end of the inner vertical bar 100. Through this bore 102 and these apertures 113 and 115 passes a tightening screw 119. One or both of the apertures 113 and 115 may be inwardly threaded. The top of the inner vertical bar 100 is a plane diagonal to the plane of the base 10. Depending on the slant of the diagonal, the top of the inner vertical bar prevents the bracket 110 from pivoting past a predetermined point. This prevents the doll, when placed in the stand from falling backward. 
     Referring again to FIG. 3, the substitute bracket 120 has a rear portion 122 and a front portion 124. The rear portion 122 is connected to a lateral support bar 130. Preferably, the lateral support means 130 has a slot on either end, through which the belt 80 passes. The lateral support bar 130 is of semi-rigid material, and is sufficiently flexible to permit adjustment to correspond to the curvature of the figure and sufficiently rigid to support the figure in a desired orientation. 
     FIG. 5 shows the display stand in FIG. 3 with a figure mounted therein. The figure may rest in any position ranging from vertical to horizontal. The figure&#39;s legs straddle the bracket 120 and its lower torso is supported by the front portion 124 of the bracket 120. Its back is supported longitudinally by the rear portion 122, of the bracket 120 and laterally by the lateral support bar 130. The upper torso of the figure is secured against the lateral support bar 130 by the belt 80. The bracket 120, being of semi-rigid material, is sufficiently flexible to permit it to be shaped to conform to the thickness of the figure&#39;s torso and is sufficiently rigid to hold the figure in a desired orientation. The lateral support bar 130, being of semi-rigid material, is sufficiently flexible to permit it to be shaped to conform to the curvature of the figure&#39;s torso and is sufficiently flexible to hold the figure in a desired orientation. The belt 80 is adjusted to conform to the circumference of the upper torso. 
     It is to be understood that the lower portion of the doll stand, consisting of the base 10 and the outer vertical bar 16, shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, are the same. Thus, the alternative configurations of the upper portion of the stand, as shown by FIGS. 1 and 3, can be used interchangeably with a single base 10 and outer vertical bar 16. 
     FIG. 6 shows an alternative configuration of the outer 16 and inner 22 vertical bars of FIG. 1 or the outer 16 and inner 100 vertical bars of FIG. 3. The outer vertical bar 16 is replaced with an alternative outer vertical bar 200, whose inner cross-sectional area is rectangular. The inner vertical bar 22 is replaced with an alternative inner vertical bar 210, whose outer cross-sectional area is also rectangular in the same proportions but of slightly smaller dimensions than those of the outer vertical bar 200. The slidable engagement of the inner vertical bar 210 and outer vertical bar 200 prevents the inner vertical bar 210 from rotating relative to the outer vertical bar 200. 
     FIG. 7 shows an alternative configuration of the bracket 120 in FIG. 3, with a telescoping adjustment means. Bracket 120 in FIG. 3 is replaced with bracket 400. This bracket 400 has a rear portion 402, a middle portion 404 and a front portion 406. The rear portion 402 is a hollow bar. The middle portion 404 is a bar whose outer cross-sectional area is of the same proportions but of slightly smaller dimensions than the inner cross-sectional area of the rear portion 402. One end of the middle portion 404 is slidably engaged by the rear portion, permitting the middle portion 404 to telescope inside the rear portion 402. A locking means 410 is located at an end of rear portion 402. This locking means 410 consists of an inwardly threaded aperture 412, through which a threaded tightening screw 414 passes. This telescoping adjustment of bracket 400 permits it to be adjusted to accommodate figures of varying torso lengths. 
     While the stand has been described in connection with its preferred embodiments, the description is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms set forth. To the contrary, the description is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.