Improvements in Designing and Constructing Figure Forms and Garments for Dolls and Baby-carriage Forms, and Piano Forms for Doll Furniture, out of Paper or other Materials.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application
29th Jan 1805
Complete Specification Left, 16th Apr., 1895-Accepted, 24th Aug., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 16th Apr., 1895-Accepted, 24th Aug., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Designing and Constructing Figure Forms and
Garments for Dolls and Baby-carriage Forms, and Piano Forms
for Doll Furniture, out of Paper or other Materials.
I, Mrs. BERTHA ALICE TRUFANT, residing at 1241 Philip Street, City of New
Orleans, in the Parish of Orleans, and State of Louisiana, United States of
America, Housewife, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
-
This invention relates to improvements in designing and constructing figure forms
and garments for dolls and baby carriage forms and piano forms for doll furniture
out of paper or other materials.
In carrying out one part of my invention I cut a blank for a figure form of one
or two pieces of paper, cardboard, linen, or other suitable texture or material, with
head portions, body portions, skirt portions and tabs on the skirt portion. This
blank is printed, lithographed, or otherwise decorated to represent different classes
or races of people or animals, and different kinds of costumes. In building up the
figure form, if made of paper, I secure the head portions and body portions together
by adhesive material or other material so as to form a preferably flat upper part.
This part may be embossed or rounded. The tabs on the front portion of the
skirt are next folded inward, and secured either to the inside or outside of the back
portion of the skirt by means of adhesive material or other means, to produce
the rounded effect. As additional means for fastening the skirt-portions of the
figure-form together, I provide tabs on the rear portion of the skirt which pass
outside of the tabs of the front portion of the skirt and through slits in the tabs.
One of the tabs is formed with a tongue or head which engages slits of the other
tab. This fastening dispenses with glueing, and can be fastened and unfastened at
will. If the blank is made of some textile material I stitch or fasten the upper
parts together, and also stitch or fasten the tongues to the back portion of the skirt
in a similar manner. The figure-form thus produced will readily stand by itself,
thus dispensing with any extraneous support.
As a modification the blank may be connected at the foot of the figure-form
by a base portion having end tabs or strips. The back of the skirt portion is
provided with tongues extending the length of the skirt portion providing side strips
which are folded. In building up this modified figure-form the upper parts are
secured together, the end strips of the base portion are secured to the lower edge
of the front portion of the skirt and the strips on the sides of the back portion of
the skirt are secured to the front portion of the skirt, thus producing another
figure-form. As another modification the head portion may be connected as already
described, and the base portion dispensed with. This figure-form is built up by
connecting the front of the skirt portion with the strips on the back of the skirt
portion, producing a different figure-form.
The decorated blank for a garment in the form of a bridal dress or any evening
or full dress may be cut in one or more pieces with the body portions, head opening,
rounded skirt portions, the front portion of the skirt having securing tabs folded and
secured to the back portion.
The decorated blank for a bridal veil may have a train and illusion, the position of
the head of the figure-form being also shown. This is secured by a tongue, which

page_text: "
may enter a slit in the head of the figure form so as to be locked thereto. The veil
is preferably glued at the edges.
A hat blank has a front portion formed with a tongue which passes back of the
head, slits at the sides of the tongue to receive the head of the figure form, whereby
the hat is supported, and having a back portion overhanging the back of the head
of the figure form. The tongue may enter a transverse slit in the upper part of the
figure-form, so as to be securely and removably locked thereto. The hat portions
are folded and glued together.
A blank for a mantle has a slitted or divided front portion, a neck opening, and
a back portion provided with tabs which are folded and by which the front and
back parts are secured together. The preferred form of blauk for the garment. or
dress is formed in one or two pieces, the front and back portions being joined by
tabs, and additionally by tabs on the rear portion passing through slits in the front
portion and provided with a fastening consisting of a tongue or head in one member,
and slits in the other member of the fastening.
The blanks for the figure-form and garments may be cut in one or two pieces,
and may be decorated with a variety of different figures or costumes.
My baby carriage form is made from linen, paper, cardboard or other suitable
texture, printed, lithographed or otherwise decorated in different designs, and the
main parts thereof constructed of single pieces of material forming blanks.
The blank for the body is formed with a bottom, sides, front, back, outer
handle portion, inner handle portion, inner bow portion, outer bow portion, and
shade support.
To construct the body from this blank the sides are folded inward, which brings
the bow portions toward each other, the outer portion of the bow overlapping the
inner portion of the bow, and the shade support assuming a central position. The
shade support is next folded inward so as to place its outer end between the outer
ends of the bow portions to form a loop in front of the bow. The ends of the shade
and bow portions are then secured together. The front has laps which are folded
upward, the front being folded inward with its laps between the sides where it is
secured by its laps to the sides.
The back also has laps which are folded upward, the back being folded inward
with its laps between the sides where it is secured by its laps to the sides, thus
elevating the handle portions. The inner handle portion has a lap which is slightly
folded, the inner handle portion being folded so as to bring it down over the outer
handle portion to which it is secured; the lap of the inner handle portion being
secured to the back so as to hold the handle portions in proper position.
The blank for the running gear is formed with front wheels, rear wheels, connecting
webs between the front and rear wheels and a cross-brace connecting the webs. To
set up the running gear the blank is folded inward.
The blank for the inside fitting of the body is formed with a mattress portion and
pillow portion. The mattress portion has side supports which are folded down,
and a foot support which is folded down. The pillow portion has side laps which
are folded down, and a head support which is folded down. The pillow portion is
folded upward on the mattress portion, and the whole placed within the body, where
it may be secured.
I may provide a shade which would be supported by a loop of a bow by means
of a suitable fastening.
The blank for the piano-form is printed, lithographed, or otherwise decorated,
and is formed with a back, a top, a music panel, a fall board, a name strip, a
key-board, a key-frame, a key-bed, a pedal panel, and sides having legs.
The piano-form is constructed from this blank as follows:-The top is folded
down. The sides have top laps separated from the top by slits. These laps are
folded down, and the sides are folded with their laps toward the front, bringing
the top laps beneath the top where they are secured.
The music panel is provided with side laps which are folded inward, and the music
panel with its laps is folded down into a vertical position, and its laps brought

page_text: between the sides beneath the top laps. The fall board is folded slightly outward
into an inclined position. The main strip is folded into vertical position. The
key-board is provided with laps which are folded inward, and the key-board with
its laps is folded to a horizontal position so as to bring the laps between the legs
where they are secured. The key-frame is folded down. The key-bed is folded
inward to a horizontal position under the key-frame. The pedal panel is provided
with laps which are folded inward, and the pedal panel with its laps is folded
inward to a position between the sides where it is secured by its laps.
This blank may be decorated in any suitable manner to represent an upright
piano or parlour organ. In the latter case stops would be represented on the
name strip.
The various parts may be secured together by adhesive material, stitching, and
metal or other suitable fastenings.
My blanks can be printed on sheets to be cut out by the purchaser or user' in
the ordinary manner.
The blanks may be formed in one or more pieces. They may also be printed with
advertising matter. The blanks for the piano-form may also be suitably decorated
to form gift, birthday, Christmas, New-year's, Easter or other cards.
Dated this 28th day of January 1895.
BOTTOMLEY & LIDDLE,
154 St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Applicant's Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Designing and Constructing Figure Forms and
Garments for Dolls and Baby-carriage Forms, and Piano Forms
for Doll Furniture, out of Paper or other Materials.
I, Mrs. BERTHA ALICE TRUFANT, residing at 1241 Philip Street, City of
New Orleans, in the Parish of Orleans, and State of Louisiana, United States of
America, Housewife; do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
In order that my invention may be fully understood I will proceed to describe
it with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure I is a plan view of a blank from which my improved doll figure-form is
constructed having the head portions connected.
Figure Il is a front view of the figure-form made therefrom.
Figure III is a side view thereof showing the head and body portion and the
downwardly flaring skirt portion.
Figure IV a plan view of a decorated blank of modified construction.
Figure V is a perspective view of the figure-form made from the modified
blank.
Figure VI is a plan view of a decorated blank for another modified construction
of figure-form.
Figure VII is a perspective view of the figure form made therefrom.
Figure VIII is a plan view of a decorated blank for a bridal dress, or any
dress requiring train and low neck cut.
Figure IX is a plan view of a decorated blank for the veil of a bridal dress
showing a tongue for holding the veil at the back of the head.
Figure X is a perspective view of the figure-form with bridal dress and veil
applied.
Figure XI is a front view of the figure-form with a street costume and hat
applied.

page_text: Figure XII is a back view thereof.
Figure XIII is a plan view of a decorated blank for a hat.
Figure XIV is a front view of the hat blank folded.
Figure XV is a plan view of a blank for a mantle.
Figure XVI is a front view of the figure-form with the street costume, hat, and
mantle applied.
Figure XVII is a plan view of a blank for a dress.
Figure XVIII represents a blank for the body of my improved toy baby-
carriage for doll furniture.
Figure XIX represents a blank for the running gear of the same.
Figure XX represents a blank for the inside fitting of the body thereof.
Figure XXI is a perspective view of the toy baby-carriage built up.
Figure XXII is a blank for my improved toy piano for doll furniture.
Figure XXIII is a front view of the toy piano produced from the blank.
Figure XXIV is a vertical transverse section of the toy piano on the
line XXIV-XXIV Fig. XXIII.
In carrying out one part of my invention, 1 cut a blank for a figure-form as
shown in Figure I, of one or two pieces of paper, cardboard, linen, or other
suitable stiff or firm texture or material, with head portions, 1, 1ª, body portions 2, 2",
skirt portions 3, 3, and approximately angular side extensions 31 and tabs 3" on the
skirt portion 3. This blank is printed, lithographed, or otherwise decorated to
represent different classes or races of people or animals and different kinds of
costumes. In building up the figure-form if made of paper as shown in Figs. II
and III, I secure the head portions, and body portions together by adhesive
material or other material so as to form a preferably flat upper part. This part
may be embossed or rounded as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. III. The tabs on
the front portion of the skirt are next folded inward on the dotted lines with the
approximately triangular side extensions and secured either to the inside or
outside of the back portion of the skirt by means of adhesive material or other
means, to produce the rounded effect. As additional means for fastening the
skirt-portions of the figure-form together, I provide tabs 3° on the rear portion of
the skirt which pass outside of the tabs of the front portion of the skirt and
through slits 3 in the tabs. One of the tabs 3 is formed with a tongue or head 3*
which engages slits 3h of the other tab 3°. This fastening dispenses with glueing
and can be fastened and unfastened at will. If the blank is made of some stiff or
firm textile material I stitch or fasten the upper parts together and also stitch
or fasten the tongues to the back portion of the skirt in a similar manner. The
figure-form thus produced is shown in Figs. II and III, and will readily stand
by itself, thus dispensing with any filling or extraneous support.
It will be seen that the skirt flares downwardly from the waist line to the base,
thus forming a skirt of approximately triangular form in side view while the body
and head portions are flat or flattened.
In Fig. IV, I show a modification in which the blank is connected at the foot
instead of at the head of the figure-form by a base portion 4 having end tabs or
strips 4º.
The back of the skirt portion is provided with tongues extending the
length of the skirt portion providing side strips 3° which are folded on the dotted
lines. In building up this modified figure-form the upper parts are secured
together, the end strips of the base portion are secured to the lower edge of the
front portion of the skirt and the strips on the sides of the back portion of the
skirt are secured to the triangular side extensions of the front portion of the skirt
thus producing the figure-form shown in Fig. V. In Fig. VI, I show still
another modification in which the head portions 1, 1*, are connected as shown in
Figure 1, and the base portion is dispensed with. This figure-form is built up by
connecting the triangular side extensions of the front of the skirt portion with
the strips 3d on the back of the skirt portion producing the figure-form shown in
Figure VII.
In Fig. VIII I show my decorated blank for a garment in the form of a bridal

page_text: dress or any evening or full dress cut in one or more pieces with the body-
portions 6, 62, head opening 7, rounded skirt-portions 8, 8; the front portion of
the skirt having approximately triangular side extensions 8 and securing tabs 8b
folded on the dotted lines and secured to the back portion as shown in Fig. I.
In Fig. 1X, I show my decorated blank for a bridal veil having a train
portion 9 and illusion portion 10, the position of the head of the figure-form
being indicated therein. This is secured by a tongue 9, which may enter a
slit 1 in the head of the figure-form so as to be locked thereto, or the head may
be fitted in the slits 9b, with the tongue fitting closely to the back of the head
while the illusion passes down the sides of the head at front to the back of the
body-portion under the veil. The veil is preferably glued at the edges, and applied
as shown in Fig. X.
In Fig. X, I show the bridal dress, and veil in position on the figure-form.
In Figs. XI and XII, I show a back and front view of a street costume or
high neck dress having closely fitting neck portion 11, and the slits 7 in the
body 6, 6 running parallel with the length thereof which permits the head of the
figure-form to be passed through the garment at right angles thereto and then
turned in the neck into position so as to be located in the same plane as the
garment. This costume has a rounded skirt 8, 8 connected by the triangular side
extensions 8¹.
In Fig. XIII, I show my hat blank having a front portion 12 formed with a
tongue 13, which passes back of the head, slits 12ª at the sides of the tongue to
receive the head of the figure-form, whereby the hat is supported, and having a
back portion 14 overhanging the back of the head of the figure-form. The
tongue may enter the transverse slit 1b in the upper part of the figure-form so as to
be securely and removably locked thereto. The hat portions are folded and glued
together as shown in Fig. XIV and applied as shown in Figs. XI and XII.
In Fig. XV, 1 show a blank for a mantle having a slitted or divided front
portion 15, a neck-opening 16 and a back portion 15" provided with tabs 15' which
are folded on the dotted lines and by which the front and back parts are secured
together. The mantle is shown in position on the dress and figure-form in
Fig. XVI. The preferred form of blank for the garment or dress is shown in
Fig. XVII formed in one or two pieces, the front and back portions being joined
by tabs 8b, (located on the triangular extensions 8') and additionally by tabs 8° on
the rear portion 8 passing through slits 8' in the front portion and provided with a
fastening consisting of a tongue or head 88 in one member and slits 8 in the other
member of the fastening.
By "triangular side extensions " or similar expressions in the Specification,
relating to these parts of the blanks, I refer to the difference in width between
the larger and the smaller skirt or base-portions, or those parts by which the full
rounded side skirt in the finished article, exceeds the narrow side in width and
which parts are indicated by dotted lines in the drawing. It is not to be understood
that these dotted lines necessarily indicate the location of creases, for, while the
wider portion may be creased on these lines in making a base of substantially
wedge-shape, the entire width of the wider portion, including these triangular
side-extensions, is preferably curved as a whole so as to make one full rounded
side.
The blanks for the figure-form and garments may be cut in one or two pieces
and may be decorated with a variety of different figures or costumes as 1 do not
restrict myself to the decoration shown in the drawings which do not give an
adequate idea of the really beautiful effects accomplished by hand painting the
blanks.
I am aware that rag-dolls or stuffed figure-forms have been made with rounded
bases and 1 do not therefore claim broadly a doll formed with a rounded base.
My toy baby-carriage is made from linen, paper cardboard, or other suitable
texture, printed, lithographed or otherwise decorated in different designs and the
main parts thereof constructed of single pieces of material forming blanks.

page_text: The blank for the body is formed with a bottom 21, sides 22, front 23, bick 24,
outer handle portion 25, inner handle portion 26, inner bow portion 27, outer bow
portion 28, and shade support 29.
To construct the body from this blank the sides 22 are folded inward on the
dotted Imes 30 which brings the bow portions 27, 28, toward each other; the outer
portion 28 of the bow overlapping the inner portion 27 of the bow and the shade
support 29 assuming a central position. The shade support 29 is next folded
inward on the dotted line 31 so as to place its outer end between the outer ends of
the bow portions to form a'loop 29ª in front of the bow. The ends of the shade
and bow-portions are then secured together. The front 23 has laps 23ª which are
folded upward on the dotted lines 32, the front being folled inward on the dottel
line 33 with its laps between the sides where it is secured by its laps to the sides.
The back 24 also has laps 21 which are folded upward on the dotted lines 3+,
the back being folded inward on the dotted line 35 with its laps between the sides
where it is secured by its laps to the sides, thus elevating the handle portions.
The inner handle portion 26 has a lap 26 which is slightly folded on the dotted
line 36 the inner handle portion being folded on the line 37 so as to bring it
down over the outer handle portion 25 to which it is secured; the lap 26 of the
inner handle portion being secured to the back so as to hold the handle portions in
proper position.
The blank for the' running gear is formed with front wheels 10, rear wheels 41,
connecting webs 42 between the front and rear wheels and a cross-brace 43
connecting the webs. To set up the running gear the blank is folded inward on the
dotted lines 44.
The blank for the inside fitting of the body is formed with a mattress portion 50
and pillow portion 51. The mattress portion has side supports 50 which are
folded down on the dotted lines 52, and a foot support 50% which is folded down
on the dotted line 53. The pillow-portion bas side laps 51 which are folded
down on the dotted lines 54 and a head support 51' which is folded down on the
dotted line 55. The pillow portion is folded upward on the mattress portion on
the dotted line 56 and the whole placed within the body where it may be
secured.
60 is a shade supported by the loop 29ª of the bow 27, 28, by means of a suitable
fastening 61.
The blank for the piano-form is printed, lithographed or otherwise decorated and
is formed with a back 71, a top 72, a music panel 73, a fall board 74, a name
strip 75, a key-board 76, a key frame 77, a key-bed 78, a pedal panel 79 and
sides 80 having legs 80*.
The toy piano is constructed from this blank as follows: The top is folded
down on the dotted line 81. The sides 80 have top laps 80" separated from the
top 72 by slits 82. These laps are folded down on the dotted lines 83 and the sides
are folded with their laps toward the front on the dotted lines 84 bringing the top
laps 80° beneath the top where they are secured.
The music panel 73 is provided with side laps 73ª which are folded inward on
the dotted lines 85 and the music panel with its laps is folded down into a
vertical position on the dotted line 86 and its laps brought between the sides 80
beneath the top laps 80%. The fall board 74 is folded slightly outward on the
dotted line 87 into an inclined position. The main strip 75 is folded into
vertical position on the dotted line 88. The key-board 76 is provided with
laps 76 which are folded inward on the dotted lines 89 and the key-board
with its laps is folded to a horizontal position on the dotted lines 90 so as to
bring the laps between the legs where they are secured. The key-frame 77 is
folded down on the dotted line 91. The key-bed 78 is folded inward to a
horizontal position under the key-frame on the dotted line 92. The pedal
panel 79 is provided with laps 79ª which are folded inward on the lines 93 and the
pedal panel with its laps is folded inward on the dotted line 94 to a position
between the sides where it is secured by its laps.

page_text: This blank may be decorated in any suitable manner to represent an upright
piano or parlour organ. In the latter case stops would be represented on the name
strip.
The various parts may be secured together by adhesive material, stitching, and
metal or other suitable fastenings.
My blanks can be printed on sheets to be cut out by the purchaser or user in the
ordinary manner.
The blanks may be formed in one or more pieces. They may also be printed
with advertising matter. The blanks for the toy piano may also be suitably
decorated to form gift, birthday, Christmas, New Year's, Easter or other carls..
therein and desire to secure by Letters Patent :-
1. A blank for a figure-form formed of one or more pieces of paper or analogous
firm material, having front and back skirt portions, one of the skirt portions
having approximately triangular side extensions to form a rounded skirt,
substantially as described.
2. A blank for a figure-form formed of one or more pieces of paper or analogous
firm material, having front and back head portions, front and back body portions,
a front skirt portion having approximately triangular side extensions, and a rear
skirt portion, substantially as described.
3. A blank for a figure-form formed of one or more pieces having front and back
skirt portions, connecting tabs on one portion having slits and connecting tabs on
the other portion having a fastening consisting of a tongue and slits; substantially
as described.
4. A blank for a figure-form formed of one or more pieces having front and back
head portions, front and back body portions, front and back skirt portions, one of
the skirt-portions having approximately triangular side extensions; connecting tabs
for the skirt portions, and a base portion connecting the lower edges of the skirt
portions; substantially as described.
5. A figure-form formed of paper or analogous firm material having head and
body portions secured together, and downwardly flaring skirt portions having tabs
by which they are secured together, one of the skirt portions having approximately
triangular side extensions; substantially as described.
6. A figure-form having head and body portions secured together, and
downwardly flaring skirt portions having approximately triangular side extensions
extending from the waist-line to the bottom of the skirt portions; substantially as
described.
7. A garment blank having body portions longitudinally slitted for the head of
the figure-form, a neck-opening, and skirt portions; substantially as described.
8. The combination of the figure-form having head and body portions, and
downwardly flaring skirt portions, secured together, and a garment having a
neck-opening longitudinally slitted body portions, and skirt portions; substantially
as described.
9. A blank for a bridal veil formed with a train portion, and illusion portion, a
tongue, and slits between the tongue and the illusion portion; substantially as
described.
10. A blank for a head covering having a front portion formed with a tongue
and slits for receiving the head at the sides of the tongue, and a back portion
connected with the front portion, and adapted to be folded on the front portion ;
substantially as described.
11. A blank for a mantle having a divided front portion, a neck-opening and
a back portion, and means for fastening the portions together; substantially as
described

page_text: 12. The combination of the figure-form having head portions formed with a
transverse slit in the upper part thereof, and body portions secured together,
downwardly flaring skirt portions secured together, and the head covering having
front and back portions secured together and having a tongue and slits on the front
portion for connecting the head covering with the head portions the head portions
being inserted in the slits of the rear of the tongue of the head-covering, and the
tongue bearing against the head-portions and inserted in the slit of the latter;
substantially as described.
13. A blank for the body of a toy baby carriage for doll furniture of the shape
substantially as shown and described.
14. The body of a toy baby-carriage for doll furniture made from a blank of the
shape substantially as shown and described.
15. A blank for the running-gear of a toy baby-carriage for doll furniture of the
shape substantially as shown and described.
16. The running-gear for a toy baby-carriage made from a blank of the shape
substantially as shown and described.
17. A blank for the inside fitting of a toy baby-carriage of the shape
substantially as shown and described.
18. The inside fitting for a toy baby-carriage made from a blank of the shape
substantially as shown and described.
19. A blank for a toy-piano for doll furniture of the shape substantially as shown
and described.
20. A toy-piano for doll furniture made from a blank of the shape substantially
as shown and described.
Dated this Thirtieth day of March 1895.
BOTTOMLEY & LIDDLE,
154 St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Applicant's Agents