CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63/357,838 filed on July 1, 2022.

BACKGROUND

[0002] This disclosure generally relates to method and device for creating a figurine using connecting and joining members in combination with elastic bands. More particularly, this disclosure relates to a method and device for creating figurines from elastic bands.

SUMMARY

[0003] A kit for creating a figurine having links formed form closed loop elastic bands according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure includes, among other possible things includes a plurality of closed loop elastic bands for creating a linked assembly, at least one appendage assembly including a joint portion and a clip portion, the clip portion configured for securing an end of a linked assembly formed from the closed loop elastic bands and a body portion having at least one receiver portion for coupling with the joint portion to create a movable joint for orientating the at least one appendage assembly relative to the body portion.

[0004] A method of forming a figurine having linked closed loop elastic bands according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure includes, among other possible things, forming an appendage assembly by installing a closed loop elastic band onto a joint portion and clipping a closed loop elastic band to a clip portion, wherein a linked assembly created from closed loop elastic bands extends between the clip portion to an distal end of the appendage assembly and attaching the appendage assembly to a receiving portion of a body to create a movable joint.

[0005] A figurine assembly according to another disclosed exemplary embodiment includes, among other possible things, a body portion including at least one receiving portion, a linked assembly having plurality of closed loop elastic bands linked together, and at least one appendage assembly including a joint portion and a joint portion, the clip portion securing an end of a plurality of linked closed loop bands, wherein the linked assembly is attached to the clip portion and the joint portion is configured to couple to the at least one receiving portion of the body portion to form a movable joint.

[0006] Although the different examples have the specific components shown in the illustrations, embodiments of this invention are not limited to those particular combinations. It is possible to use some of the components or features from one of the examples in combination with features or components from another one of the examples.

[0007] These and other features disclosed herein can be best understood from the following specification and drawings, the following of which is a brief description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 is a schematic view of an example kit for creating a figurine having linked elastic bands.

[0009] Figure 2 is a front view example completed figurine embodiment.

[0010] Figure 3 is a front view of an example appendage formed with linked elastic bands assembled to example connectors.

[0011] Figure 4 is a front view of the example appendage movably attached to another portion of an example figurine.

[0012] Figure 5 is a front view of an example arm connector embodiment.

[0013] Figure 6 is a front view of another arm connector embodiment.

[0014] Figure 7 is a front view of yet another arm connector embodiment.

[0015] Figure 8A is a front view of an arm portion extending straight.

[0016] Figure 8B is a front view of the arm portion of Figure 8A, bent to simulate arm movement.

[0017] Figure 9A is a front view of an example assembled joint components.

[0018] Figure 9B is a front view of the example disassembled joint components.

[0019] Figure 10 is a front view of an example arm portion attached to a torso portion.

[0020] Figure 11 is a front view of an example poseable arm portion without elastic bands. [0021] Figure 12 is a front view of the example poseable arm portion with elastic bands.

[0022] Figure 13 is a front view of the example poseable arm portion connected to a torso portion of an example figurine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a kit 10 for assembling and creating a figurine 15 (Figure 2) according to one disclosed example embodiment includes a loom 12, a hook tool 14, a plurality of elastic bands 16 and components for creating connectable appendages such as to simulate arms 17 and legs 19 of a person, animal or other creature. The components include different connecting devices 18 that correspond and combine with different joint and body components 20 to form articulating appendages. The connecting devices 18 and the body components 20 are linkable together to provide articulatable joints. Moreover, the connecting devices 18 provide for creation of the poseable figurine 15. The body components 20 may include portions that simulate feet 21 and hands 23.

[0024] The figurine 15 includes a body portion 22 that has portions that form a joint 25 at various locations. In one disclosed example embodiment, the joints 25 are ball and socket type joints that provide various movements in multiple directions. It should be appreciated that other joint configurations could be utilized and are within the contemplation of this disclosure. The connectors define appendage assemblies when combined with a linked item formed from the closed loop elastic bands. Each of the connector devices 18 are configured with features that provide for attachment of a linked assembly formed from the elastic bands 16. The elastic bands 16 may be weaved into links along the various components to provide a desired appendage, such as the arms 17 and legs of the example figurine 15. The elastic bands 16 may be arranged according to various link structures, including a Brunnian link structure.

[0025] Referring to Figure 4 with continued reference to Figures 1 and 2, the body portion 22 is shown with an arm 17 attached at the joint 25. The example arms 17 is formed with a plurality of linked elastic bands 16 formed into a linked assembly 70 between a joint coupler 24 and a loop coupler 30. The joint coupler 24 and the loop coupler 30 are disclosed examples of body components 20 (Figure 1) that are utilized to create portions of a completed figurine 15.

[0026] The joint coupler 24 includes a joint portion 26 and a clip portion 28. The clip portion 28 provides for securement of the elastic bands 16. The joint portion 26 is a ball shape that couples to a receiver 40 disposed on the body portion 22. The ball shaped joint portion 26 snaps into the receiver 40 to provide a moveable and poseable joint.

[0027] In this disclosed example, the arm 17 is formed utilizing a plurality of elastic bands 16 linked into the linked assembly 70 utilizing a Brunnian link. A Brunnian link is a link that uses a closed loop member, such as the example elastic bands 16. One closed loop is folded is doubled over itself to capture another closed loop to form a chain. At least one end of such a chain of closed loops is secured by the clip portion 28 to prevent unraveling.

[0028] Accordingly, in this disclosed example, the chain of elastic bands 16 is started at the loop portion 34 of the loop coupler 30. A first elastic band is inserted through the loop portion 34. A second elastic band is then inserted through doubled over ends of the first elastic bands. Additional bands are added along the chain until doubled over ends of the last elastic band are secured on the clip portion 28 of the joint coupler 24. In this disclosed example, the clip portion 28 includes two clip features that are inwardly biased to hold an end of an elastic band within a securement space. The number of links and specific configuration of the links can be varied to provide a desired length and look to the created arm 17. The completed arm 17 may than be attached to the body portion 22 by inserting the joint portion 26 into the receiver 40.

[0029] In this disclosed example, the length between the loop coupler 30 and the joint coupler 24 is entirely made from elastic bands 16. Accordingly, the form of the arm 17 will not easily remain in a desired position. Instead, the elastic bands 16 will move back to a natural position based on the link structure when released.

[0030] Referring to Figures 5, 6 and 7 with continued reference to Figures 2 and 3, several arm structure embodiments are shown that provide for posing of the figurine 15. A first arm 45 (Figure 5) includes a joint coupling end 48 that includes a ball joint portion 26 and the clip portion 28. The joint coupling end 48 is attached to a semi-rigid poseable connecting member 42. The connecting member 42 extends from the joint coupling end 56 to distal end 44. In this disclosed example the first arm 45 includes a loop at the distal end formed from the connecting member 42. The example connecting ember 42 is a piece of metal wire that is bendable into various shapes and will remain in a formed shape.

[0031] Referring to Figure 6, a second arm 46 includes a connecting member 42 that extends between a ball joint 50 and a joint coupling end 48. The ball joint 50 is configured to attach to a receiver 40. Figure 7 shows a third arm 52 that includes a connecting member 42 disposed between a ball joint 50 and a hook coupler end 54. The hook coupler end 54 includes a ball joint 26 with outstretched fingers 56 for securement of an end of a plurality of Brunnian linked elastic bands 16.

[0032] Each of the arms 45, 46 and 52 provide for a plurality of elastic bands to extend between each end while also enabling posing of that arm 17. Once elastic bands are secured on each arm, the connecting member 42 will be substantially covered. The semirigid, ductile nature of the connecting member 42 will hold a shape that is set by a user.

[0033] Referring to Figures 8 A and 8B, the example arm 52 is shown in a posed and non-posed condition. In Figure 8A, the arm 52 is shown in an initial position where the connecting member 42 is straight. In Figure 5B, the arm 52 is shown in a posed position. In the posed position, the connecting member 42 is bent such that the relative position between the ball joint 50 and the hook coupler 54 simulates a bent arm. The arm 52 stays in this posed position due to the mechanical properties of the connecting member 42. It should be appreciated, that although the example connecting member 42 is disclosed by way of example as a metal wire, other materials that maintain a formed shape could be used and are within the contemplation and scope of this disclosure.

[0034] Referring to Figure 9 A and 9B, a tab receiver 58 is shown prior to coupling with a ball joint 50. The tab receiver 58 includes a receiver 40 and tab portion 60. The receiver 40 and ball joint are of a common configuration that is provided for each joint interface. The size of the receiver 40 and ball joint 50 are configured to provide a snap fit such that once the ball joint 50 is snapped into the receiver 40, the ball joint 50 does not fall out, but provides a fit that provides for relative movement. The receiver 40 and the ball joint 50 may be incorporated into various structures to provide a pivotal connection. In this disclosed example, the receiver 40 is part of the tab receiver 58 that includes the tab portion 60 that extends from the receiver 40. The tab portion 60 includes a hole that provides for attachment to the components and/or elastic bands to enable construction of a figurine 15 of a desired shape, size and configuration.

[0035] Referring to Figure 10 with continued reference to Figures 8A, 8B, 9A and 9B, a body portion 22 is shown that includes receiver portions 40. The receiver portions 40 are arranged at locations that correspond with how arms and legs would be attached for a humanoid figure. In this example, the body portion 22 is a torso that includes an upper torso portion 62 pivotally coupled to a lower torso portion 64. In this example, the upper torso portion 62 includes a ball joint and the lower torso portion includes a receiver 40. Each of the upper torso portion 62 and the lower torso portion 64 include other receivers 40 to provide for the formation of a coupling to simulate arms and legs of a person, robot or other humanoid shaped figurine.

[0036] Referring to Figures 11 and 12, another arm configuration is shown with elastic bands 16. In this example, the arm 52 is used that includes the ball joint 50 at one end of a connecting member 42 and the hook coupler end 54. The elastic bands 16 are held on the fingers 56 of the hook coupler end 54. In this example, the link structure formed by the elastic bands 16 started at the ball joint end and ended at the hook coupler end 54. Because the elastic bands 16 are linked around the connecting member 42, the arm could be posed as desired and will remain where moved.

[0037] Although an arm is disclosed and discussed by way of example, legs or other appendages that correspond with the intended shape of the figurine. The body portion 22 may be arranged to provide for the attachment of a tail, more legs, a neck or any other appendages or structures that are limited only by a user’s imagination.

[0038] Accordingly, the disclosed example kit includes connector and joint devices that combine articulable joint structures with structures utilized to secure elastic bands. The combined securement and articulation structures provide for the creation of figurines and other structures and shapes with linked elastic bands.

[0039] Although an example embodiment has been disclosed, a worker of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this disclosure. Moreover, no part of disclosure is intended, either explicitly or implicitly, as any disclaimer or narrowing of claim scope. The description of any one embodiment is not intended, either explicitly or implicitly, as limiting the plain and ordinary meaning set out in the following clams. The example embodiment is only one of many possible structures and methods that are properly within the scope of this disclosure.