Page:US Patent 5830035.djvu/3

 TOE PUPPET

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/553,885, filed Nov. 6, 1995 now abandoned.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates broadly to puppets, and more particularly, pertains to a puppet adapted to be mounted on a single digit of a human appendage, such as a toe on one’s foot, for providing animated motion of a figurine responsive to flexure or similar movement of the single digit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Although the prior art is replete with puppets providing animated movement through the use of two or more digits or fingers, there has been limited development in creating single digit-mounted puppets which provide a three dimensional, amusing effect. One example of a finger puppet worn on a single digit is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,911,618 issued Oct. 14, 1975 to Gerst. In this patent, correspondingly different facial expressions can be generated by differential movement of the finger joint. That is, when digit flexure occurs at one or more joints, animated movement of a nose, nostrils, and upper lip movement in combination with jaw movement produces a comic facial animation.

It remains desirable to provide a simplified, single digit-mounted puppet in which a minimal amount of flexure will produce a fully animated motion such that a character or figurine moves in a predominantly backward and forward path. It is also desirable to provide a single digit-mounted puppet which may be snugly worn on one’s finger or toe. It is further desirable to provide a single digit mounting structure for a puppet which permits adjustability and interchangeability of various characters or figurines.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention advantageously provides a novelty or amusement device in the form of a toe or finger-mounted puppet which provides a relatively high degree of comic animation in response to a nominal amount of toe or finger flexure. The puppet depends upon a unique, yet simple mounting structure which mimics the advance and retreat of a chosen character or figurine.

In one aspect of the invention, a puppet is adapted to be mounted on a single human digit for providing animated motion of a figurine responsive to movement of the single human digit. The puppet comprises a hollow, elastic cap having an interior wall defining a cavity into which the single human digit is snugly received. The cap includes a resilient neck portion for supporting the figurine at a distance spaced from the single human digit such that movement of the single human digit causes the neck portion and the figurine to oscillate to and fro. In the preferred embodiment, the neck portion is constructed and arranged to be one-piece with the elastic cap. In an alternative embodiment, the neck portion is a separate element constructed and arranged to be attached to the elastic cap.

In another aspect of the invention, a puppet is adapted to be mounted on a single digit of a human appendage for providing animated motion of a figurine responsive to flexure of the single digit. The puppet comprises a hollow, elastic cap having an interior wall defining a cavity into which the single digit is snugly received. The cap includes a resilient, solid, elongated neck portion extending upwardly and rearwardly with respect to the single digit for supporting the entirety of the figurine at a distance spaced from the single digit such that flexure of the single digit causes the figurine to travel in a predominantly forward and backward path relative to the human appendage.

In yet another aspect of the invention, a toe puppet is adapted to be mounted on the large toe for providing animated motion of a character responsive to wiggling movement of the large toe. The puppet comprises a hollow, elastic cap having an interior wall defining a cavity into which the large toe is snugly received. The cap includes a resilient, solid, elongated neck portion extending upwardly and rearwardly with respect to one's foot for supporting the character at a distance spaced from the large toe such that, due to the length of the neck portion and the weight of the character, wiggling movement of the large toe causes the character to traverse back and forth. The character is friction fit on the neck portion to allow adjustability and interchangeability of the character on the neck portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will become better understood by reference to the following detailed description of the preferred exemplary embodiment when read in conjunction with the appended drawing wherein like numerals denote like elements; and

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a human foot showing a mounting digit in the form of a large toe provided with the puppet embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view illustrating the elastic cap integrally formed with the neck portion embodying the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3—3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view illustrating an alternative embodiment of the invention illustrating the elastic cap bonded or otherwise affixed to the neck portion; and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5—5 of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a puppet generally identified by the reference numeral 10 as mounted on a single digit of a human appendage, in this case, the large toe 12 of a person's foot 14.

The puppet 10 comprises a hollow, elastic cap 16 preferably formed of soft rubber or the like. The cap 16 has an interior wall 18 defining a cavity into which the large toe 12 is snugly received. The cap 16 includes a resilient, solid, elongated neck portion 20 constructed preferably of rubber, which extends from an upper portion 16a of the cap 16 upwardly and rearwardly with respect to the large toe 12. The neck portion 20 functions as a mounting structure to support a figurine or character 22 at a predetermined distance spaced from the large toe 12. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cap 16 is molded or otherwise formed in one piece with the neck portion 20. In an alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the neck portion 20 is a separate element which is bonded or similarly attached to the elastic cap 16 which is formed of an elastic fabric material such as spandex or the like. In each embodiment, the neck portion 20 has a free end 24 which is typically friction fit into the figurine or character 22 in such a manner that an interchangeable figurine or character 22 may be readily attached and detached from the neck portion 20.