Patent Document

RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   The present invention is related to U.S. Pat. No. 4,986,719 for PUPPET, issued Jan. 22, 1991, included herein in its entirety by reference. 
   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention pertains to puppets and, more particularly, to a puppet having a control system for imparting realistic movements to a head, wings, or tail thereof. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Puppeteers often utilize puppets placed on or near the bodies, for example, for use as a ventriloquist&#39;s dummy. In such situations, it is desirable to discreetly impart movement to portions of the puppet perched, for example, on the shoulder of the puppeteer. Many mechanisms have been developed to accomplish this purpose, such as solid rods attached to the head of a puppet, etc. None of the methods of the prior art provides realistic movements using a mechanism discreetly operable by the puppeteer. 
   DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED ART 
   U.S. Pat. No. 3,390,481 for PUPPET AND ANIMATION DEVICES, issued Jul. 2, 1961 to Boris Runanin provides a complex actuation mechanism using pulleys in cooperation with other mechanisms to motivate a puppet. The RUNANIN puppet is not adapted for placement on or near the body of a puppeteer and the complex mechanism provided could not be easily adapted for discrete operation of a puppet. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,986,791 for PUPPET, issued Jan. 22, 1991 to Albert Alfaro shows a mechanism wherein a sheathed cable is used to actuate the head of a shoulder-sitting puppet. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,498,193 for MANUALLY ACTUATED TOY DINOSAUR STRUCTURE AND METHOD, issued Mar. 12, 1996 to Salvatore Locricchio provides a figurine having movable parts remotely actuatable by a sheathed cable having plural actuating cable strands housed therewithin. Actuation is provided by a hand-held apparatus having plural triggers for imparting only linear motion to individual actuating cable strands. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,827,626 for MARIONETTE, issued Dec. 7, 2004 to Mary Jo Feeney, et al. provides a marionette having, in addition to strings, a solid actuating rod attached to the head of the marionette. 
   None of these patents taken singly, or in any combination, is seen to teach or suggest the puppet and actuating mechanism of the present invention. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention features a unique control mechanism for use with a puppet and puppets adapted for control thereby. One or more single-strand, sheathed cables are adapted for imparting motion to at least one movable part of a puppet. Both longitudinal (i.e., in-and-out) and rotary motions may be imparted to the cable strands thereby allowing a wide range of resulting movements of the attached puppet part. In one embodiment, longitudinal movement of the cable strand imparts a flapping motion to the wings of a puppet while rotary motion of the same cable imparts a wagging motion to the puppet&#39;s tail. Regardless of whether one or two cables are used, the actuation of the cables may be performed discreetly and out of view of the audience of the puppeteer&#39;s show. 
   It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide a puppet figure having at least one part movable with respect to another part. 
   It is an additional object of the invention to provide a puppet figure wherein a part is moved by the movement of a cable strand within a sheathed cable. 
   It is another object of the invention to provide a puppet figure wherein the movement of the cable strand may be both longitudinal and rotary. 
   It is a further object of the invention to provide a puppet figure wherein two parts may be selectively moved independently by longitudinal and rotary motion of a single cable. 
   It is a still further object of the invention to provide a puppet figure wherein the moved part is supported solely by the cable strand of the sheathed cable. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when taken in conjunction with the detail description thereof and in which: 
       FIG. 1   a  is a side elevational view of a first embodiment of a puppet in accordance with the invention; 
       FIG. 1   b  is a side elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the puppet of  FIG. 1   a;    
       FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b  are side elevational views of a second embodiment of a puppet in mouth closed and mouth open positions, respectively; 
       FIG. 2   c  is an enlarged schematic view of a hinge portion of the puppet of  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b;    
       FIG. 3   a  is a rear, perspective view of a third embodiment of a puppet in accordance with the invention; and 
       FIG. 3   b  is a detailed, schematic view of the puppet shown in  FIG. 3   a.    
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   The present invention features a control system for a multi-part puppet wherein one portion of the puppet, for example a head, is supported solely by a flaccid control cable and is thereby movable independently of any other body part. 
   Referring first to  FIG. 1   a , there is shown a side elevational pictorial view of a two piece puppet, generally at reference number  100 . Puppet  100  is designed to resemble a dragon. It will be recognized, however, that any other puppet shape might be substituted therefor. Consequently, the inventive puppet control system may be used with any suitable puppet shape and the invention is not considered limited to the shape chosen for purposes of disclosure. 
   Puppet  100  has a main body portion  102  and a head portion  104 . Main body portion  102  and head portion  104  are made from polymer clay. Body portion  102  and head  104  may be formed by casting, sculpting, or any other suitable means. Body portion  102  has a posterior region  106  having a first bore  108  therethrough sized to accept the outer diameter of a cable  110 . Body portion  102  has a neck portion  120  having a second bore  122  therethrough. Second bore  122  is also sized and configured to receive and secure a proximal end of a hollow outer sheath  112  of cable  110 . Cable  110  has sheath  112  and a central shaft  114  disposed substantially concentrically therein. Shaft  114  is free to move both longitudinally and rotatively with respect to sheath  112 . An actuator  116  is disposed at a distal end  118  of shaft  114  of cable  110 . 
   Head  104  is securely affixed to proximal end  124  of shaft  114 . Securement is typically by an adhesive. It will be recognized by those of skill in the art that other mechanical mechanisms such as clips, staples, clamps, screws, etc. may also be used to secure head  104  to shaft  114  and the invention is not limited to any particular securing method. 
   Typically, proximal end  124  of shaft  114  protrudes beyond second bore  122  sufficiently so that head  104  is spaced apart from body  102 , thereby allowing room for movement of head  104  relative to body  102 . 
   An inexpensive cable found useful for practicing the invention is brake control cable well known to those of skill in the bicycle arts. 
   In operation, an operator of puppet  100  moves head  104  by pushing, pulling, or rotating actuator  116 . Because head  104  is securely affixed to proximal end  124  of shaft  114 , head  104  moves up and down or around in response to movement of actuator  116 . Unlike other puppet constructions of the prior art, the inventive control system, while simple in concept, provides unique motions to head  104 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1   b , there is shown an alternate embodiment of puppet  100  of  FIG. 1   a . Most details remain the same, but a piece of fur  126  is placed between head portion  104  and body portion  102 . As head portion  104  moves, fur  126  moves responsively creating an interesting visual illusion. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 2   a - 2   c , there are shown side elevational pictorial views of another puppet, generally at reference number  200 .  FIG. 2   a  depicts puppet  200  in a closed mouth position while  FIG. 2   b  depicts puppet  200  with an open mouth.  FIG. 2   c  shows details of a mouth hinge  230 . Puppet  200  is similar in construction to puppet  100  ( FIG. 1   a ) but includes a movable mouth. 
   Puppet  200  has a main body portion  202  and a head portion  204 , both made from polymer clay or other suitable material as discussed hereinabove. Head portion  204  consists of an upper portion  226  and a lower mouth portion  228  attached thereto by a hinge  230 , best seen in  FIG. 2   c . Hinge  230  is attached to both upper mouth portion  226  and lower mouth portion  228  using screws  232  or other suitable fasteners. In alternate embodiments, hinge  230  could be adhesively affixed to one or both of upper mouth portion  226  or lower mouth portion  228 . A rigid support member  234  holds lower mouth portion  228  fixed relative to body portion  202 . A thin, stiff wire or other such device may be used as support member  234 . A flaccid restraining member  236  is attached to upper portion  226  and to body portion  202 . Flaccid restraining member  236  is preferably a piece of thin, non-elastic fabric. 
   As discussed hereinabove in conjunction with puppet  100  ( FIG. 1 ), body portion  202  has both a first bore  238  and a second bore  240  adapted to receive a cable  242 . Cable  242  has an outer sheath  244  and a shaft  246  disposed substantially concentrically therein. The distal end  248  of shaft  246  is equipped with an actuator  250 . 
   In operation, inward pressure on actuator  250  causes shaft  246  to move longitudinally within sheath  244 . Because lower mouth portion  228  is held in a fixed relationship to body portion  202  by rigid support member  234 , the movement of head portion  204  is substantially upward as upper portion  226  rotates around a pivot, not shown, formed by hinge  230 . Upward movement of head  204  is limited by flaccid restraint member  236 . The motion of head  204  caused by in-and-out motion of actuator  250  creates an upward opening illusion in the motion of puppet  200 . The open position of head  204  may be seen in  FIG. 2   b.    
   Referring now to  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b , there are shown a rear perspective, pictorial view and a detailed view of a portion thereof, respectively, of a third puppet, generally at reference number  300 . Puppet  300  is similar to puppets  100  and  200  ( FIGS. 1 and 2   a - 2   c , respectively) discussed hereinabove. Similar components and/or features previously described are not further described in detail. Puppet  300 , however, has additional, movable appendages, described in greater detail hereinbelow. Puppet  300  has a body portion  302  and a one-piece head portion  304 , similar to head portion  104  of puppet  100 . While a one-piece head portion  304  is shown for purposes of disclosure, it will be recognized that puppet  300  might be provided with a two-piece head similar to head portion  204  of puppet  200  ( FIG. 2   a ). As has already been described, body portion  302  has a first bore  306  a second bore  308  sized and adapted to receive a first, head control cable  310 . 
   Four legs  312  are attached to body portion  302 . Legs  312  may be fixed or movable with respect to body portion  302 . 
   Body portion  302  has a pair of sockets  314  disposed in a central, posterior region thereof. Sockets  314  are each adapted to loosely receive the end of a wing support member  316  therein. Wing support members  316  are typically formed from stiff wire and each has a bent portion  318  formed at a proximal end thereof. Bent portion  318  may move freely within socket  314 , typically experiencing three degrees of freedom of movement. Dragon wings, not shown, are typically attached to wing support members  316 . 
   A third bore  318  formed in body portion  302  is sized and adapted to receive and retain a second cable  320 . Second cable  320  has an identical construction as first head cable  310  and has an outer sheath  322  and an inner shaft  324 . Sheath  322  is retained within a third bore  318 . Shaft  324  extends beyond third bore  318  and has a bend  326  formed therein. A loop  328  is formed at the proximal end of shaft  324  of second cable  320 . Loop  328  is configured for attachment to a tail, not shown. An actuator  320  is disposed at the distal end of shaft  324 . 
   Wing actuating links  330  are formed from thin, non-elastic fabric or the like. A distal end  332  of wing actuating link  330  is knotted around wing support member  316  proximate bent portion  318 . The proximal ends of wing actuating links  330  are each knotted around and secured to shaft  324  proximate bend  326  forming a main operating joint  334 . 
   In operation, first cable  310  controls the movement of head portion  304  in a manner similar to that of head portion  104  of puppet  100  ( FIG. 1 ) as described hereinabove. Second cable  320  provides control of the puppet&#39;s wings and tail, neither of which are shown. In-and-out motion of shaft  324  of cable  320  imparts up-and-down linear motion to main operating joint  334  which, in turn, moves wing support members  316  through wing actuating links  330 . However, rotary motion imparted to shaft  324  within cable  320  causes rotation of loop  328  and the proximal end thereof which, in turn, imparts wagging (i.e., back and forth movement) of the puppet&#39;s tail, not shown. 
   Since other modifications and changes varied to fit a particular operating requirements and environment will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute a departure from the true spirit and scope of the invention. 
   Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequent appended claims.

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