FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a toy figure configured to simulate a human being or an animal. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a toy figure having elongatable limb members.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Toy dolls and toy figures in the shape of humans and animals have been known for a very long time in the toy manufacturing arts. Toy dolls and toy figures having limb members attached through use of elastic members are also well known.

In several toy dolls of the prior art, the head and/or the limbs of the toy doll are attached to a main body or trunk portion by elastic members such as rubber bands, rubber cords and the like. Such toy dolls are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 2,611,998 and 2,966,762. In these toys, a cavity or cup is provided to receive and frictionally engage a respective male member or stud which is located on the respective head and/or limb portions of the toy. The elastic members are disposed within the trunk portion and are under sufficient tension to hold the attached head and/or limb members in engagement with the respective cavities or cups.

The above described structures permit at least a limited pivoting movement of the head and/or limb members relative to the main body or trunk portion of the doll. Nevertheless, toy dolls of this type have several drawbacks. They do not permit highly significant movement of the head and/or limb members relative to the main body or trunk portion of the doll. The further often do not permit movement of a portion of a limb member relative to the balance of the limb member due to the fact that such limb members are typically composed of an inflexible, molded compound. Similarly, the length of the limb members is fixed and cannot be varied.

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It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a toy doll with highly significant movement of the head and/or limb members relative to the main body or trunk portion of the doll.

It is further an object of the invention to provide a toy doll with limb members which permit movement of a portion of the limb member relative to the balance of the limb member.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a toy doll which possesses limb members the length of which may be varied.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a toy figure configured to simulate a humanoid or an animal comprising a body member configured to simulate the body of such animal or humanoid; a head member configured to simulate the head of said animal or humanoid, said head member being appropriately positioned upon and fixedly attached to said body member, said head member bearing at least one first attachment poin ; a plurality of limb members configured to simulate the limb members of said animal or humanoid, said limb members having first and second ends, the first ends of said limb members being appropriately positioned upon and fixedly attached to said body member, the second ends of each of said limb members each bearing a second attachment point, said limb members further being defined by a flexible outer layer between the first and second ends thereof; four elastic members each of which have first and second ends which respectively are fixedly attached to said first attachment point and one of the second attachment points, each of said elastic members in the relaxed state having a length substantially greater than the distance between the first attachment point to which it is attached

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and the point at which it exits the body member; said limb members having a length substantially greater than the elastic member (in the relaxed state) which is attached to the second attachment point within said respective limb member, such that the outer layer of each of said limb members is caused to be repeatedly folded.

The objects and features of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. The present invention may be best understood by reference to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which like numerals indicate like parts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGURE 1 is an exploded front view of a specific embodiment of the present invention wherein said elastic members are in the relaxed state.

FIGURE 2 is an exploded front view of a specific embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGURE 1 wherein said elastic members are fully extended.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following specification taken in conjunction with the drawings sets forth the preferred embodiment of the present invention in such a manner that any person skilled in the toy manufacturing arts can practice the invention. The embodiment of the invention disclosed herein is the best mode contemplated by the inventor for carrying out the invention in a commercial environment, although it should be understood that various modifications can be accomplished within the parameters of the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to the exploded frontal view of FIGURE 1, a specific embodiment of the toy doll of the present invention is disclosed. It should be noted at the outset that although the ensuing description is specifically directed to the toy doll shown in the drawings which is configured in the shape of a

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humanoid figure, a toy figure simulating the shape of an animal (not shown) may also be constructed in accordance with the present invention.

The toy doll includes a body member (1) , a head member (2) , a plurality of the limb members shown as arms (3,4) and legs (5,6) .

The composition of the head member (2) is not critical. Its composition may be varied from a molded polymeric material to cloth. It may further be hollow or solid. It should have a surface that will suitably serve as a substrate for the application of printing inks, paints and/or various minor parts such that the head member (2) may be made to more closely resemble a human or animal. The head member (2) further serves as a base for the first attachment points (2a,b,c and d) . Such first attachment points may vary in their composition according to the composition of head member (2) . For instance, if the head member is composed of wood, such first attachment points may comprise metal eyelets, staples or tacks. If head member (2) is made of cloth, such first attachment points may consist of cloth tabs or simple stitching to which the elastic members (7, 8, 9 and 10) may be fastened. It should here be noted that while it is preferred that there be four (4) first attachment points, in some circumstances it may be possible to utilize less than four first attachment points.

As with head member (2) , the composition of body member (1) is not critical. Its composition may also vary widely and may include such substances as polymers, cloth and wood. It may further be hollow or substantially solid. If solid, it must provide suitable passageways therein for the unobstructed passage of elastic members (7, 8, 9 and 10) therethrough. The body member (1) further comprises areas of attachment (la, 2a, 3a, and 4a) for the first ends of the limb members. As with head member (2) , it should also preferably have a surface that will suitably serve as a substrate for the application of printing inks, paints

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and/or various minor parts such that the toy figure of which it is a part may be made to more closely resemble a human or animal.

The doll of the present invention has a plurality of limb members which are shown in the drawings as components (3, 4, 5 and 6). Typically, a doll of the present invention would have four of the limb members which have the construction described below. However, a doll may have more or less than four of said limb members and still be within the scope of the present invention. For instance, if the doll is in the form of an elephant, its trunk may be of the same construction. Further, a doll may have one or more limbs of conventional construction, such as arms or legs in the case of a humanoid doll, coupled with the balance of its limbs constructed as set forth below.

The limb members are all of similar construction and will be described in relation to limb member (3) shown on the attached FIGURE l and 2. Limb member (3) comprises first and second ends, the first end of which is adapted to be fixedly attached to said body member (1) . It may be attached to the body member (1) by suitable means depending upon the composition of said body member (1) . For instance, if the body member is wooden, the first end of the limb member may be secured thereto with staples and/or glue. While if the body member (1) is cloth, the limb member (3) may be secured thereto with suitable stitching. The second end of the limb member bears a second attachment point (3c) attached end unit (3b) . The composition of the end unit (b) and the second attachment point (3d) may be as with head member (2 ) and the first attachment points (2a-d) as discussed above. The end units may further be configured to resemble hands, feet, paws and the like in order to make the toy figure more closely resemble a humanoid or animal. The limb member (3) further comprises a flexible outer layer (3a) between the first and second ends thereof which may be composed of cloth, polymeric films and the like.

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While the shape of the limb member (i.e. its length vs. width) is not critical, the length of said limb member (when fully extended) must exceed the length of the portion of the elastic member (9) which extends from body member (1) while said elastic member (9) is in a relaxed state. This assures that the limb member (3) will be repeatedly folded while the elastic member is in a relaxed state. This is shown in the depiction of the limb members in FIGURE 1. It also assures that the limb member may be stretched to its fully extended length at which time it no longer has the folds in its outer layer. While there is no true criticality to the length of the limb member as stated above, it should not be so long that it would exceed the length of the elastic member (9) when extended to its full length. To do so would place under strain upon the elastic member (9) and any lead to its early failure. In the interest of safety, it is further recommended that the extended length of the outer layer of any limb member not exceed about 12 inches. This is to help prevent a child from becoming entangled with toy figure while playing with it. The limb members may also include optional straps (3d, 4d, 5d and/or 6d) attached to the respective end units (3b, 4b, 5b, and/or 6b) . These straps may be composed of cloth, cord or, preferably, elastic material. They may be used to affix the end units of the limb members to a child's hands and/or feet and allow the child to more easily play with the toy doll.

The elastic members (7, 8, 9 and 10) may be composed of any elastic material such as a rubber band or a rubber cord. It should be sized such that the force required to extend it from its relaxed state to a length such that the outer layer of the limb member(s) is fully extended is within the ability of the child for which the toy is intended. The elastic member should, however, be of sufficient strength to withstand continued usage by the child. It should further be noted that while four elastic members are shown in the drawings, less may be used. For instance, elastic members

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(7 and 9) need not be separate lengths of elastic material but rather may be one continuous length that is tied off at a first attachment point (e.g. 2a) with its ends then extending to two end units (e.g. 3b and b) .

Several modifications of the above described toy may become readily apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should be interpreted solely from the following claims.

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