Freestanding, reconfigurable, disposable character form and kit for making same

Abstract

A freestanding, reconfigurable character form and a kit for making the character form, the kit including a rigid support member, self-adhering materials removably affixed to the support member, and a base member capable of receiving a distal end portion of the support member, whereby the support member is freestanding when inserted into the base member. The self-adhering materials can be removably affixed to the support member before or after the support member is inserted into the base member, without requiring a permanent means of attaching the self-adhering materials to the support member, or a permanent means of attaching the support member to the base member.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 551,781 filed Mar. 11, 2004, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to puppets, dolls or action figures, and more particularly, to a freestanding, easily reconfigurable character form to be used mainly by children for enjoyment and education, or by adults for marketing and other promotional purposes. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] Children like to role-play and tell stories for enjoyment and education. They especially like to create their own characters using dolls, action figures and puppets, and to change the look of their characters by using different facial features, hairstyles, and accessories. While doll and action figure characters often come with changeable hair and accessories, the facial features and overall personalities of these cha...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] To overcome these and other disadvantages of the prior art, it is an object of the present invention to create an inexpensive kit that allows the user to create freestanding, reconfigurable and disposable character figures that are sturdier than paper dolls.

[0010] It is further an object of this invention to create a kit that allows the user to create a wide range of characters through interchangeable, removable and disposable facial features, hair and accessories.

[0011] It is further an object of this invention to create an inexpensive kit that provides a theme and all of the characters and accessories necessary for the user to act out a story using that theme.

[0013] It is further an object of this invention to create a portable, mess-free, all-inclusive kit that easily can be carried and used in transient settings.

[0014] Finally, it is an object of this invention to provide an outlet for creative entertainment and storytelling that is easy to use and cost-efficient to manufacture.

Problems solved by technology

Although certain puppets allow children to completely change the puppet's appearance, such puppets lack the playability that upright dolls and action figures offer.

Moreover, such puppets typically require glue, tape, markers or other means of permanently affixing certain features of the puppet's appearance.

Further, acquiring multiple characters for use simultaneously in acting out a theme or story requires a significant investment in toys and accessories.

These toys and accessories then create clutter, because they are too expensive to throw away after just a few uses.

Such toys and accessories also are ill-suited for travel, as they are cumbersome to pack and carry, and difficult to track.

Yet there are no known processes for easily creating personalized, inexpensive, rigid, freestanding and easily reconfigurable character figures with branded clothing and accessories.

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