FIGURE AND METHOD OF DECORATING A FIGURE

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to doll/figures, and in particular wooden doll/figures, to be decorated/dressed by children and others, and in particular to a wooden doll that is dressed by utilizing grooves on the doll body.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The existing doll is generally provided already dressed, so that the playability is not strong. Most of the materials in existing dolls on the market are plastic materials, so the environment is not protected. The market is also lacking a doll that is suitable for young children to play with, which addresses the above-mentioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to doll/figures, and in particular a wooden doll, that is decorated/dressed by the user/purchaser by utilizing grooves on the doll body. In one embodiment, the doll is a 3-dimensional figure with grooves to permit the detachable attachment of decorative articles for dressing and adornment in any desired manner. In one embodiment, the present invention contemplates a wooden doll comprising a torso or trunk and a head, along with a lower body and a base. The trunk is characterized by further comprising two or more circular grooves. At least one grooves is preferably positioned on the upper end of the trunk and dimensioned to accommodate a flexible attachment device such as rubber bands, string, cords, wire, pipe cleaners and the like that are pressed into the grooves. Clay can also be used to detachably attach articles such as fabric, paper, fur, foil, cloth, tissue paper and the like. Facial features such as eyes and the like can be attached by using clay, available commercially including from ClaymatesUSA (www.claymatesusa.com).

The 3-dimensional figure can represent a man, woman, child, dog, or other animal, and is provided with suitable grooves, as well as flat broad surface or contours. The grooves or contours are utilized for the attachment of the articles to be worn, the same being capable of frequent changing and interchanging.

No glue or adhesives are needed. The doll is safe and environment-friendly and is suitable for young children.

The present invention contemplates a method for forming a at least partially dressed doll according to one embodiment of the present invention involves utilizing the grooves in the doll body, and in particular, the grooves in a wooden body. Articles such as fabric, paper, fur, foil, cloth, tissue paper and the like can be applied to the surface of the doll by utilizing the grooves together with a flexible attachment device selected from the group consisting of pipe cleaners, rubber bands, cords, string, wire and the like. Pieces of cloth, fabric and the like can be easily detachably mounted on all surfaces without the use of an adhesive. The cloth, paper, fabric, foil and the like are held to the doll body by positioning under the flexible attachment device (e.g. pipe cleaner) and pressing the pipe cleaner into a groove thereby fixing the cloth, paper, fabric and the like without an adhesive to the doll body. Facial features such as eyes and the like can be attached by using clay, available commercially including from ClaymatesUSA (www.claymatesusa.com).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention showing the dolls or figures without any articles attached, i.e. in blank form, with grooves. In particular, FIG. 1 shows two circular, circumferential grooves comprise a first groove positioned on or near the upper end of the torso and a second groove positioned on or near the lower end of the torso.

FIG. 2 is a front view an embodiment of the present invention wherein flexible attachment devices (e.g. pipe cleaners and string) are utilized to decorate the doll or figure with various articles (e.g. paper, cloth, etc.).

DEFINITIONS

“Circumferential grooves” are grooves that extend completely or at least partially around the circumference of a body part of the doll/figure. In a preferred embodiment, the groove is circular or at least a partial circle around the body part.

“Detachably” attached is distinct from permanent attachment. For example, the decorative articles can be detached from the figure simply by releasing the flexible attachment device (e.g. pipe cleaner, etc.) from the groove(s).

It is not intended that the present invention be limited to where the grooves are dimensioned such that the flexible attachment device fits completely into the groove. While this is contemplated in some embodiments (e.g. where the grooves are deeper), in other embodiments the flexible attachment device (e.g. pipe cleaner) is positioned at least partially in one of the grooves, such that some portion is in the groove and some portion is not in the groove or is extending outward from the groove. However, other dimensions are contemplated, including deeper and wider grooves.

It is not intended that the present invention be limited by the precise placement of the grooves. In one embodiment, they are placed 5/16 inch above the mid-line (see e.g. 110) and 5/16 inch below the neck line (see e.g. 109).

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a doll/figure, and in particular, wooden doll/figures to be decorated/dressed by children and others by utilizing grooves on the doll body. The invention utilizes a blank form of a doll, or wooden figure, whether of a man, woman, child, dog, or other animal. The blank form or wooden figure is designed with suitable grooves on their surfaces or contours. The user utilizes said grooves or contours for the attachment of the articles to be worn by the doll without the use of adhesives. The grooves allow for easy and frequent changing and interchanging of the articles, i.e. easy attachment and detachment.

It is not intended that the present invention be limited by the size or dimensions of the figure. In one embodiment, the wooden figures are between 3 and 8 inches high, and preferably between 4 and 6 inches high, and present as non-binary adults and children, made from white maple and brown walnut as to represent race. The 3-dimensional figures come with clay that is pressed or applied to the figure in ways to create, express and communicate variety of people, life scenarios, emotional expressions, non-verbal expressions, to show actions and to express through role play.

FIG. 1 shows four figures (representing two older figures and two younger figure). As shown in FIG. 1, the doll or figure (101) has a generally round head (102), a torso (or trunk) (103) and a lower body (104) mounted on a base (105). To create a human like shape, the doll's head is attached to the torso's upper end through a narrowing neck area (106), i.e. the neck is smaller in width or diameter than the head or torso. As shown in FIG. 2, the torso's width or diameter increases from the neck down to the torso's lower end or waist (107) of the doll. Thereafter, the lower body (optionally) gradually narrows from the connection to the waist down to a base (105). The base can be any shape (e.g. square, diamond shaped, etc.) but is preferably circular. To provide a sturdy support for the doll, the diameter of the circular base is equal to or greater than the diameter of the head and/or the diameter of the torso at the torso's greatest width. Preferably, the lower body is mounted through a narrow connector (108) to the base (105).

FIG. 1 shows two grooves (109, 110), one on the torso just below the neck region (109) and one at or near the waist (110), i.e. at or near the region where the torso has the greatest width. However, other grooves are contemplated, e.g. a groove near the top of the head and/or another groove on the torso.

It is not intended to be limited by what and how one could apply different articles to the figure provided that no adhesive is used. By adding grooves, the dolls now have numerous places to attach articles such as cloth, fabric, paper, fur, hair, foil, tissue paper and like materials. Detachable attachment can be achieved with flexible attachment devices such as, but not limited to: cloth, tassles, string, pipe cleaners. For example, the decorative articles can be positioned on the figure and then secured (or sandwiched) with a pipe cleaner positioned at least partially in one of the grooves. In one embodiment, detachable attachment is achieved with clay, and in particular, non-drying clay.

FIG. 2 shows examples of decorative articles positioned on three figures (representing two older figures and one younger figure) and secured with a pipe cleaner (111) or string (112). It is not intended that the present invention be limited by the nature or number of decorative articles. FIG. 2 shows examples of cloth (113) and paper (114). FIG. 2 also provides an example of a figure with facial features such as eyes (115). Other facial features include a nose made by clay. FIG. 2 also provides examples where the pipe cleaner (111) can be positioned to give the appearance of arms (116).

In one embodiment, non-drying clay can be applied to a wooden figure by children and others for the purpose of dressing the dolls without the need of having the apparel prepared as complete articles. A child can use the 3-dimensional figure and apply decorative articles for dressing and adornment in any desired manner. By using the doll/figure, children to have hands on, tactile, experiential activities that support the emotional and social growth.

The present invention contemplates methods as well as grooved figures. In one embodiment, the present invention contemplates a 3-dimensional figure, comprising a head mounted through a neck to a torso, the torso increasing in width from the neck to a waist, with a lower body that narrows to a connector mounted on a base, the torso comprising at least two circumferential grooves to permit the detachable attachment of decorative articles, said at least two circumferential grooves comprising a first groove positioned on the upper end of the torso (e.g. below the neck line) and a second groove positioned on the lower end of the torso at or near the waist (or mid-line), said first and second grooves dimensioned to accommodate a flexible attachment device that is pressed at least partially into the grooves. In one embodiment, the figure is wooden. In one embodiment, the neck is smaller in width or diameter than the width or diameter of the head and torso. In one embodiment, the base is circular. In one embodiment, the diameter of the circular base is equal to or greater than the diameter of the head and/or the diameter of the torso at the torso's greatest width. In one embodiment, the 3-dimensional figure further comprises a flexible attachment device detachably attached to the torso, said flexible attachment device at least partially pressed into said first or second groove. In one embodiment, said flexible attachment device is selected from the group consisting of rubber bands, string, cords, wire and pipe cleaners. In one embodiment, said flexible attachment device attaches or secures one or more articles (e.g. such that the articles are sandwiched between the figure and the flexible attachment device), said articles selected from the group consisting of fabric, paper, fur, hair, foil, cloth and tissue paper. In one embodiment, the 3-dimensional figure further comprises one or more facial features.

In one embodiment, the present invention contemplates a method of decorating a 3-dimensional figure, comprising: a) providing i) one or more decorative articles, ii) one or more flexible attachment devices; and iii) a 3-dimensional figure comprising a torso comprising an upper end and a lower end, a head mounted through a neck to said upper end of said torso, the torso increasing in width from the neck to said lower end (or waist), with a lower body extending below the torso that narrows to a connector mounted on a base, the torso comprising at least two circumferential grooves to permit the detachable attachment of decorative articles; and b) detachably attaching one of said decorative articles to said figure using a flexible attachment device, wherein said flexible attachment device is at least partially pressed into one or said two grooves, thereby securing said decorative article to said figure. In one embodiment, said at least two circumferential grooves comprise a first groove positioned on said upper end of the torso and a second groove positioned on said lower end of the torso, said first and second grooves dimensioned to accommodate a flexible attachment device that is pressed at least partially into the grooves. In one embodiment, the flexible attachment device is selected from the group consisting of rubber bands, string, cords, wire and pipe cleaners. In one embodiment, said decorative articles are selected from the group consisting of fabric, paper, fur, hair, foil, cloth and tissue paper. In one embodiment, the method further comprises c) detaching said attached decorative article by releasing said flexible attachment device from said groove.