US2884739A - Doll construction - Google Patents

Doll construction Download PDF

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Publication number
US2884739A
US2884739A US654727A US65472757A US2884739A US 2884739 A US2884739 A US 2884739A US 654727 A US654727 A US 654727A US 65472757 A US65472757 A US 65472757A US 2884739 A US2884739 A US 2884739A
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thumb
doll
fingers
arm
formation
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Expired - Lifetime
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US654727A
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Ketcham Henry King
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    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63HTOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
    • A63H3/00Dolls
    • A63H3/36Details; Accessories
    • A63H3/46Connections for limbs

Definitions

  • This invention relates to the arm of a doll and more particularly to its hand portion by which the doll is capable of grasping objects while suspending them in various realistic positions.
  • the idea of forming a dolls hand so as to permit it to grasp objects is not broadly new but prior devices have been prohibitively complex or entirely inadequate for the intended purpose.
  • the desirability of such a doll has been recognized for a considerable period of time with no apparent successful solution.
  • a dolls hand which is formed of a resilient plastic material which, at the finger and thumb portions of the hand, is thickened so as to provide sturdiness and enhanced grasping ability.
  • T he thumb is bent inwardly toward the other fingers in such a way so that a space of almost complete circularity is defined by the thumb and fingers.
  • a great many objects which are conventionally grasped in the hand, i.e., hammers, spears, pencils, pens, etc. are substantially round in cross-section. Accordingly, the circular space can be made to firmly grasp such an object without re-v quiring any supplementary mechanical contrivance.
  • 1 form the arm in a bent position, i.e., with the elbow bent for the purpose of achieving a high degree of realism.
  • the doll may appear to be using a hammer (or a spear, tomahawk, etc.) in a realistic manner since the use of such objects generally involves a bent elbow. It is understood that while this is a seemingly minor detail, such details often make the difference between an acceptable and an unacceptable article to a childs discerning mind.
  • Figure 1 is an elevational view of a doll constructed according to this invention
  • Figure 2 is a fragmentary, longitudinal, cross-sectional view of the arm and shoulder portion of the doll
  • Figure 3 is a fragmentary, partly broken away crosssectional view of the dolls leg
  • Figure 4 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view of the neck portion of the doll.
  • Figure 5 is a. fragmentary view of the arm illustrating the grasping function of the dolls fingers.
  • the doll body is fabricated of a resilient plastic material such as one of the yielding or resilient vinyl co polymers. However, it may also be fabricated of resilient rubber.
  • the essential feature of this invention is best illustrated in Figures 2 and 5.
  • the arm has a finger formation comprising the four integrated fingers Ill, and an opposing thumb 12. Arm it) is hollow for greater softness but the extreme ends 11a of the fingers are relatively solid and thickened so as to impart increased sturdiness and consequent holding strength to such fingers. Extreme end 12a of thumb 12 is similarly solidified.
  • the illustrated arm lll is that of a baby, it nevertheless has an elbow formation 13 which is in a bent position.
  • the relationship of the fingers to the thumb is of primary significance.
  • the fingers 11 and thumb 12 are curled inwardly toward each other so as to define a space 14 between them which is substantially completely circular. Its circularity is, however, interrupted by a slight spacing or discontinuity between the extreme ends of the 2,884,739 Patented May 5, 1959 fingers and thumb respectively.
  • the full lines 15 of Figure 5 illustrate that this discontinuity in of the circle is of the order of approximately 20 so that the circular space 14- is accordingly about 340. This is the normal or rest position of the fingers.
  • This discontinuity or spacing 16 serves as an opening and permits the insertion of any one of a variety of objects, for example, hammer 17, into the circular space 14 whereupon the fingers and thumb will separate from the normal rest position thereof to an expanded position such as is illustrated by the dotted lines of Figure 5. Spacing 14 still remains substantially round accommodating almost exactly the round nature of the object disposed within it.
  • the thickened ends 11a and 12a of the fingers and thumb respectively are of utility in enhancing the grip since a hammer or a spear can be quite heavy.
  • the use of the doll as above stated may be quite simple. One simply pushes the object through the opening 16 and it is immediately grasped and retained by the i sturdy cooperating fingers and thumb which spread and encircle the object.
  • arm 10 is provided with an integral hollow circular end button 18 which ofiers good articulation in the opening of shoulder 19.
  • This method of articulation is not claimed per se in this invention, it being shown herein to illustrate the utility of the arm formation.
  • the arm should be capable of being lifted and pivoted in the shoulder socket in a manner such as is conventional in the use of the objects above mentioned.
  • Figure 3 discloses the use of a hollow button 20 which articulates the leg 21 in the hip 22.
  • the doll be arranged to simulate flinging a spear, it would be desirable to show it with an uplifted leg, a position of this type being extremely realistic.
  • Figure 4 shows that the neck 23 may be provided with the hollow button formation 24 so that the head may be cocked in various positions. This further increases realism since differently cocked positions of the head are found to enhance the realism associated with throwing a spear or employing a hammer, etc.
  • an arm formed wholly of resilient material and comprising a finger formation and an opposing thumb, said finger formation and thumb being curled inwardly toward each other in a normal rest position thereof so as to define a substantially circular space between them, the extreme ends of the finger formation and thumb being separated from each other to provide an opening communicating with said circular space whereby an object may be inserted through said opening into said circular space so as to be grasped by said finger formation and thumb as they spread from said normal rest position, said arm being hollow and the extreme ends of said finger formation and said thumb being solid and thickened relative to the walls of the remainder of said arm.

Description

May 5, 1959 H. KLKETICHAM 2,884,739
DOLL CONSTRUCTION Filed April 24, 1957 2,884,739 DGLL CQNSTRUCTIQN Henry King Ketcham, Carmel V alley, (Calif. Application April 24, 1957, Seriai No. 654,727 2 Claims. (til. 46-163) This invention relates to the arm of a doll and more particularly to its hand portion by which the doll is capable of grasping objects while suspending them in various realistic positions. The idea of forming a dolls hand so as to permit it to grasp objects is not broadly new but prior devices have been prohibitively complex or entirely inadequate for the intended purpose. However, the desirability of such a doll has been recognized for a considerable period of time with no apparent successful solution.
With the foregoing in mind, I have devised a dolls hand which is formed of a resilient plastic material which, at the finger and thumb portions of the hand, is thickened so as to provide sturdiness and enhanced grasping ability. T he thumb is bent inwardly toward the other fingers in such a way so that a space of almost complete circularity is defined by the thumb and fingers. A great many objects which are conventionally grasped in the hand, i.e., hammers, spears, pencils, pens, etc., are substantially round in cross-section. Accordingly, the circular space can be made to firmly grasp such an object without re-v quiring any supplementary mechanical contrivance.
In combination with the foregoing, 1 form the arm in a bent position, i.e., with the elbow bent for the purpose of achieving a high degree of realism. In other words, the doll may appear to be using a hammer (or a spear, tomahawk, etc.) in a realistic manner since the use of such objects generally involves a bent elbow. It is understood that while this is a seemingly minor detail, such details often make the difference between an acceptable and an unacceptable article to a childs discerning mind.
The invention will be further understood from the following description and drawings in which:
Figure 1 is an elevational view of a doll constructed according to this invention;
Figure 2 is a fragmentary, longitudinal, cross-sectional view of the arm and shoulder portion of the doll;
Figure 3 is a fragmentary, partly broken away crosssectional view of the dolls leg;
Figure 4 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view of the neck portion of the doll; and
Figure 5 is a. fragmentary view of the arm illustrating the grasping function of the dolls fingers.
The doll body is fabricated of a resilient plastic material such as one of the yielding or resilient vinyl co polymers. However, it may also be fabricated of resilient rubber. The essential feature of this invention is best illustrated in Figures 2 and 5. Thus, the arm has a finger formation comprising the four integrated fingers Ill, and an opposing thumb 12. Arm it) is hollow for greater softness but the extreme ends 11a of the fingers are relatively solid and thickened so as to impart increased sturdiness and consequent holding strength to such fingers. Extreme end 12a of thumb 12 is similarly solidified. Although the illustrated arm lll is that of a baby, it nevertheless has an elbow formation 13 which is in a bent position.
The relationship of the fingers to the thumb is of primary significance. For example, referring to Figure 5 it will be observed that the fingers 11 and thumb 12 are curled inwardly toward each other so as to define a space 14 between them which is substantially completely circular. Its circularity is, however, interrupted by a slight spacing or discontinuity between the extreme ends of the 2,884,739 Patented May 5, 1959 fingers and thumb respectively. The full lines 15 of Figure 5 illustrate that this discontinuity in of the circle is of the order of approximately 20 so that the circular space 14- is accordingly about 340. This is the normal or rest position of the fingers. This discontinuity or spacing 16 serves as an opening and permits the insertion of any one of a variety of objects, for example, hammer 17, into the circular space 14 whereupon the fingers and thumb will separate from the normal rest position thereof to an expanded position such as is illustrated by the dotted lines of Figure 5. Spacing 14 still remains substantially round accommodating almost exactly the round nature of the object disposed within it. The thickened ends 11a and 12a of the fingers and thumb respectively are of utility in enhancing the grip since a hammer or a spear can be quite heavy.
The use of the doll as above stated may be quite simple. One simply pushes the object through the opening 16 and it is immediately grasped and retained by the i sturdy cooperating fingers and thumb which spread and encircle the object.
It will be observed that arm 10 is provided with an integral hollow circular end button 18 which ofiers good articulation in the opening of shoulder 19. This method of articulation is not claimed per se in this invention, it being shown herein to illustrate the utility of the arm formation. In other words, the arm should be capable of being lifted and pivoted in the shoulder socket in a manner such as is conventional in the use of the objects above mentioned. For the same reason, Figure 3 discloses the use of a hollow button 20 which articulates the leg 21 in the hip 22. As an example, should the doll be arranged to simulate flinging a spear, it would be desirable to show it with an uplifted leg, a position of this type being extremely realistic. Figure 4 shows that the neck 23 may be provided with the hollow button formation 24 so that the head may be cocked in various positions. This further increases realism since differently cocked positions of the head are found to enhance the realism associated with throwing a spear or employing a hammer, etc.
While I have shown and described what I believe to be the best embodiments of my invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as shown in the appended claims.
What is claimed is:
1. In a doll, an arm formed wholly of resilient material and comprising a finger formation and an opposing thumb, said finger formation and thumb being curled inwardly toward each other in a normal rest position thereof so as to define a substantially circular space between them, the extreme ends of the finger formation and thumb being separated from each other to provide an opening communicating with said circular space whereby an object may be inserted through said opening into said circular space so as to be grasped by said finger formation and thumb as they spread from said normal rest position, said arm being hollow and the extreme ends of said finger formation and said thumb being solid and thickened relative to the walls of the remainder of said arm.
2. An article according to claim 1 and wherein the normal separation of the extreme ends of the finger formation and thumb is substantially 20 of a circle whereby said circular space is substantially 340.
References Cited in the file of this patent 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS
US654727A 1957-04-24 1957-04-24 Doll construction Expired - Lifetime US2884739A (en)

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Cited By (19)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3009284A (en) * 1959-07-24 1961-11-21 John W Ryan Doll construction
US3052061A (en) * 1960-11-04 1962-09-04 American Doll & Toy Corp Doll's head and body joint
US3071893A (en) * 1959-10-13 1963-01-08 Sayco Doll Corp Movable doll's hand
US3310907A (en) * 1965-03-04 1967-03-28 Robbins Saul Figurine having improved inertia characteristics
US3706155A (en) * 1971-08-30 1972-12-19 Mattel Inc Jointed figure toy having cooperating bearing surfaces of duplicate size and contours
FR2170781A5 (en) * 1972-02-05 1973-09-14 Brandstatter Georg
US3862513A (en) * 1974-02-15 1975-01-28 Marvin Glass & Associates Articulated figure toy
US3874113A (en) * 1973-02-02 1975-04-01 Georg Brandstatter Doll wherein head connects to a support member, thereby locking on body and limbs
DE3026795A1 (en) * 1980-07-15 1982-02-11 Ferrero Ohg, 3570 Stadtallendorf Small toy human figure - is made of plastics material with plug connections for quick assembly and has rotatable head and movable limbs
US4386479A (en) * 1980-11-04 1983-06-07 Marvin Glass & Associates Walking doll
US4708687A (en) * 1986-02-07 1987-11-24 Coleco Industries, Inc. Rolling figure toy
US4725257A (en) * 1986-05-01 1988-02-16 Coleco Industries, Inc. Doll with gripping hand construction and clip therefor
US4995846A (en) * 1990-02-02 1991-02-26 The Little Tikes Company Toy figure with pivotal lower torso
WO1998050126A1 (en) * 1997-05-07 1998-11-12 Hearthsong, Inc. Poseable toy figure and accessories
US5855499A (en) * 1995-06-27 1999-01-05 Kabushiki Kaisha Bandai Packaging apparatus mounting a displayed article using a component of the article
US20060186280A1 (en) * 2004-12-09 2006-08-24 Thompson Tyler M Appliance for the handicapped
US20130165016A1 (en) * 2011-12-06 2013-06-27 Mattel, Inc. Frictional joint for a toy figure
WO2014123911A3 (en) * 2013-02-08 2014-10-02 Hasbro, Inc. Toy figure assembly
US11602698B2 (en) * 2010-10-05 2023-03-14 Oyo Toys, Inc. Toy sports-player figure

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US849588A (en) * 1906-07-13 1907-04-09 Sylvester A West Doll.
US1880109A (en) * 1931-01-28 1932-09-27 Ideal Novelty & Toy Co Doll

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US849588A (en) * 1906-07-13 1907-04-09 Sylvester A West Doll.
US1880109A (en) * 1931-01-28 1932-09-27 Ideal Novelty & Toy Co Doll

Cited By (23)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3009284A (en) * 1959-07-24 1961-11-21 John W Ryan Doll construction
US3071893A (en) * 1959-10-13 1963-01-08 Sayco Doll Corp Movable doll's hand
US3052061A (en) * 1960-11-04 1962-09-04 American Doll & Toy Corp Doll's head and body joint
US3310907A (en) * 1965-03-04 1967-03-28 Robbins Saul Figurine having improved inertia characteristics
US3706155A (en) * 1971-08-30 1972-12-19 Mattel Inc Jointed figure toy having cooperating bearing surfaces of duplicate size and contours
FR2170781A5 (en) * 1972-02-05 1973-09-14 Brandstatter Georg
US3874113A (en) * 1973-02-02 1975-04-01 Georg Brandstatter Doll wherein head connects to a support member, thereby locking on body and limbs
US3862513A (en) * 1974-02-15 1975-01-28 Marvin Glass & Associates Articulated figure toy
DE3026795C2 (en) * 1980-07-15 1987-05-27 Ferrero Ohg, 3570 Stadtallendorf, De
DE3026795A1 (en) * 1980-07-15 1982-02-11 Ferrero Ohg, 3570 Stadtallendorf Small toy human figure - is made of plastics material with plug connections for quick assembly and has rotatable head and movable limbs
US4386479A (en) * 1980-11-04 1983-06-07 Marvin Glass & Associates Walking doll
US4708687A (en) * 1986-02-07 1987-11-24 Coleco Industries, Inc. Rolling figure toy
US4725257A (en) * 1986-05-01 1988-02-16 Coleco Industries, Inc. Doll with gripping hand construction and clip therefor
US4995846A (en) * 1990-02-02 1991-02-26 The Little Tikes Company Toy figure with pivotal lower torso
US5855499A (en) * 1995-06-27 1999-01-05 Kabushiki Kaisha Bandai Packaging apparatus mounting a displayed article using a component of the article
WO1998050126A1 (en) * 1997-05-07 1998-11-12 Hearthsong, Inc. Poseable toy figure and accessories
US20060186280A1 (en) * 2004-12-09 2006-08-24 Thompson Tyler M Appliance for the handicapped
US7469866B2 (en) 2004-12-09 2008-12-30 Thompson Tyler M Appliance for the handicapped
US11602698B2 (en) * 2010-10-05 2023-03-14 Oyo Toys, Inc. Toy sports-player figure
US20130165016A1 (en) * 2011-12-06 2013-06-27 Mattel, Inc. Frictional joint for a toy figure
US9919230B2 (en) * 2011-12-06 2018-03-20 Mattel, Inc. Frictional joint for a toy figure
WO2014123911A3 (en) * 2013-02-08 2014-10-02 Hasbro, Inc. Toy figure assembly
US9205344B2 (en) 2013-02-08 2015-12-08 Hasbro, Inc. Toy figure assembly

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