U.S. patent application number 12/963109 was filed with the patent office on 2012-06-14 for stick figure.
Invention is credited to Jeff Jordan, John Jordan, Scott Jordan.
Application Number | 20120149276 12/963109 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46199834 |
Filed Date | 2012-06-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120149276 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jordan; John ; et
al. |
June 14, 2012 |
STICK FIGURE
Abstract
A figurine include a ductile core and a flexible protective
covering. The figurine is configured to plastically deform in
response to moderate bending force that is within the capabilities
of an average human. The figurine is configured to have less than
5% springback.
Inventors: |
Jordan; John; (US) ;
Jordan; Scott; (US) ; Jordan; Jeff;
(US) |
Family ID: |
46199834 |
Appl. No.: |
12/963109 |
Filed: |
December 8, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/374 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 3/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/374 |
International
Class: |
A63H 3/04 20060101
A63H003/04 |
Claims
1. A figurine comprising: a ductile core; a flexible protective
covering, the figurine is configured to plastically deform in
response to moderate bending force that is within the capabilities
of an average human, wherein the figurine is configured to have
less than 5% springback.
2. The figurine according to claim 1, wherein the core includes a
metal.
3. The figurine according to claim 2, wherein the core includes a
steel alloy.
4. The figurine according to claim 1, wherein the coating a
polymer.
5. The figurine according to claim 1, wherein the coating includes
a polyurea coating.
6. The figurine according to claim 1, wherein the coating includes
a colorant.
7. The figurine according to claim 1, further comprising: an
accompanying article.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a flexible
figurine. More particularly, the present invention relates to an
anthropomorphic figurine that is able to be posed and accompanying
articles for same.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] It is generally know that people place figurines in and
around gardens and yards to introduce interest, whimsy, amusement
to the area. Examples of such figurines includes garden gnomes are
a well know example of such figurines. For outdoor use, these
figurines are typically cast in ceramic or phenolic resin.
[0003] However, such conventional figurines have a static
appearance that is generally not modifiable by the owner. As such,
the opportunities to individualize conventional figurines are
generally restricted to arranging the position of one figurine to
another.
[0004] Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a figurine that is
capable of overcoming the disadvantages described herein at least
to some extent.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The foregoing needs are met, to a great extent, by the
present invention, wherein in some embodiments a figurine,
anthropomorphic figure, and/or accompanying articles for same are
provided.
[0006] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a
figurine. The figurine include a ductile core and a flexible
protective covering. The figurine is configured to plastically
deform in response to moderate bending force that is within the
capabilities of an average human. The figurine is configured to
have less than 5% springback.
[0007] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, certain
embodiments of the invention in order that the detailed description
thereof herein may be better understood, and in order that the
present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There
are, of course, additional embodiments of the invention that will
be described below and which will form the subject matter of the
claims appended hereto.
[0008] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment
of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the
invention is not limited in its application to the details of
construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in
the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The
invention is capable of embodiments in addition to those described
and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is
to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed
herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description
and should not be regarded as limiting.
[0009] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the
conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be
utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods
and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present
invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded
as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not
depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a figurine in a suitable pose
according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the figurine according to
FIG. 1 in a suitable pose which includes a suitable accompanying
article.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the figurine according
to FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The present invention provides, in some embodiments, a
figurine anthropomorphic figure, and/or accompanying articles for
same that may be manipulated and otherwise posed in any suitable
manner. In general, the figurine includes a ductile portion that is
configured to plastically deform in response to moderate bending
force that is within the capabilities of an average human. In this
manner and as shown herein, this plastic deformation allows a user
to personalize the figurine.
[0014] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a figurine 10 in a suitable
pose according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG.
1, the figurine 10 is a stylized anthropomorphic figure having a
body 12, a head 14, a pair of arms 16, and a pair of legs 18. The
body 12 may be stylized to include an outline in any suitable
geometric shape such as a rectangle, square, circle, triangle,
star, heart, ovoid, and the like. The head 14 may include a
circular outline with an opening or gap 20 disposed between the
head 14 and body 12. The arms 16 include a pair of respective hands
22, with each hand 22 having associated fingers 24
[0015] Also shown in FIG. 1, the figurine 10, is configured to be
posed in any suitable manner. In the particular example shown, the
figurine 10 is posed to "peek" around the corner waving a hand. As
disclosed herein, to provide this ability to be posed, the figurine
10 includes a plastically deformable material that is configured to
deform in response to moderate bending force that is within the
capabilities of an average human.
[0016] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the figurine 10 according to
FIG. 1 in a suitable pose which includes a suitable accompanying
article 30. As shown in FIG. 2, a particular example of the article
30 includes a wheelbarrow. More generally, the article 30 may
include any suitable object. Examples of suitable objects include:
signs; tools such as rakes, shovels, hoes, and the like; other
figurines; and the like.
[0017] Also shown in FIG. 2, the figurine 10 includes a respective
foot 32 disposed at a distal end of each leg and a support 34
disposed below each foot 32. These feet 32 and supports 34
facilitate posing the figurine 10 in a standing position. In
particular, the supports 34 may be inserted or driven into the
ground 40 or other suitably receptive surface to secure the
figurine 10 to the ground 40. In this manner, the figurine 10 may
be posed outside, in a yard for example, to add interest and/or
express the personality of the home owner.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the figurine 10
according to FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the figurine 10 includes a
core 50 and a coating 52. The core 50 may include an suitable
ductile, malleable, or plastically deformable material. Examples of
suitable materials for the core 50 include metals, plastics,
putties, composites such as fiber reinforced plastics and papers,
and the like. In a particular example, the core 50 includes an
iron, a steel or steel alloy that is easily bent by an average
human. Once bent, the core 50 is configured to retain the bend with
minimal (less than 5%) springback. In this regard, the term
"springback" refers to the tendency of many materials to return to
an original shape after being urged into a new shape. In order to
provide a user with the ability to pose the figurine into a desired
pose, it is important to reduce the tendency to spring back.
[0019] The coating 52 includes any suitable flexible material.
Examples of suitable materials for the coating 52 include rubbers,
plastics, other polymers, mixtures and layers of polymers, paints,
and the like. In a particular example, the coating 52 includes a
polyurea coating. More particularly, the coating 52 includes M 25
coatings manufactured by Titus, Inc. of Plymouth, Ind. 46563 U.S.A.
In some examples, the coating 52 is operable to provide a
protective coating for the core 50. For example, the coating 52 may
provide protection from moisture, corrosive chemicals, oxygen, and
the like. In this manner, a relatively inexpensive ductile steel
alloy may be protected from rusting in an outdoor environment. In
addition, the coating 52 may include a colorant or coloring agents
such as dyes, pigments, and the like.
[0020] The many features and advantages of the invention are
apparent from the detailed specification, and thus, it is intended
by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of
the invention which fall within the true spirit and scope of the
invention. Further, since numerous modifications and variations
will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired
to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation
illustrated and described, and accordingly, all suitable
modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within
the scope of the invention.
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