Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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HAIR STYLING MECHANISMS AND HAIR STYLING DOLLS
Background of the Invention
[0001] The present disclosure is directed to hair styling mechanisms and hair
styling dolls,
particularly hair styling mechanisms and hair styling dolls with one or more
strings and string
feeding mechanisms. Examples of hair styling mechanisms and hair styling dolls
include U.S.
Patent Nos.: US 3,156,999, US 3,162,976, US 3,477,170, US 3,670,451, US
3,694,957, US
3,696,551, US 3,696,552, US 3,698,134, US 3,704,542, US 3,808,736, US
3,834,071, US
4,170,085, US 4,685,893, US 4,801,286, US 4,917,647, US 5,116,277, US
5,586,696, US
7,063,590, US RE27,267; and Great Britain No. GB 2,149,678. The complete
disclosures of the
above patents and patent applications are herein incorporated by reference for
all purposes.
[0002] Some conventional hair styling dolls have straight hair, the length of
which can be
adjusted by a user. Typically, the straight hair of the doll is pulled into an
opening formed in the
head of the doll, thereby creating the appearance that the length of the hair
has been changed.
The hair for those dolls is moved linearly.
[0003] However, braided hair for a doll moves in a different manner than
straight hair when the
length of the hair is adjusted relative to the doll. Thus, there is a need for
a hair styling
mechanism that can be used by a child to adjust the length of braided hair for
a doll.
Summary of the Invention
[0004] In one embodiment, a doll includes a head defining an opening, an
extension of hair
coupled to the head proximate to the opening, the hair being braided along at
least a portion of its
length, an elongate member coupled to the hair at multiple locations, the
elongate member
extending into the opening of the head, and an adjustment mechanism coupled to
the elongate
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member such that the adjustment member can move the elongate member relative
to the head,
and movement of the elongate member changes the shape of the hair.
[0005] In one embodiment, the extension of hair includes three braided
sections and each of the
braided sections includes at least one of the multiple locations.
Alternatively, the extension of
hair includes three braided sections and the elongate member is alternately
coupled to the three
braided sections. Alternatively, the elongate member is a first elongate
member and the doll
further comprises a second elongate member coupled to the hair, the second
elongate member
being coupled to the adjustment mechanism and movable simultaneously with the
first elongate
member.
[0006] In one embodiment, the extension of hair includes three braided
sections and each of the
first elongate member and the second elongate member is alternately coupled to
each of the three
braided sections along the length of the respective elongate member.
[0007] In another embodiment, the extension of hair includes a proximal end
and a distal end,
the proximal end being located proximate to the head of the doll, the distal
end being moved
upwardly when the elongate member is drawn into the head of the doll.
[0008] In another embodiment, the extension of hair has curled configuration
when the distal end
is raised to its upper position. The adjustment mechanism includes a take-up
device to which the
elongate member is coupled, and rotation of the take-up device moves the
elongate member
relative to the head.
[0009] In one embodiment, a doll has adjustable hair that includes a head, a
lock of braided hair
having a base end and a distal end opposite to the base end, the base end
being coupled to the
braided head, and an elongate member engaged with the lock of braided hair
proximate the distal
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end and to at least one intermediate position between the distal end and the
base end, the
elongate member being engaged with the lock of braided hair in a coiled
configuration that
causes the elongate member to move the lock of braided hair into a
predetermined curled
configuration when the elongate member is tensioned.
[0010] In another embodiment, the head includes a cavity with an opening, and
the elongate
member extends through the opening from the cavity. In another embodiment, the
elongate
member is attached to the lock of braided hair proximate to the distal end, at
a first intermediate
position along the lock of braided hair, and at a second intermediate position
along the lock of
braided hair. In yet another embodiment, the lock of braided hair includes a
first section, a
second section, and a third section, the first intermediate position being
located on the first
section, and the second intermediate position being located on one of the
second section or the
third section.
[0011] In one embodiment, a hair styling mechanism for a doll having a body
and a head
includes a bundle of hair supported by the head, the bundle of hair including
a first attachment
region and a second attachment region spaced from the first attachment region,
and an elongate
member coupled to the first attachment region and to the second attachment
region, wherein
pulling the elongate member moves the first attachment region toward the
second attachment
region to alter the shape of the bundle of hair.
[0012] In one embodiment, the head includes a cavity with an opening, and the
elongate member
extends through the opening from the cavity. In another embodiment, the bundle
of hair includes
a first braided section and a second braided section, the first attachment
region being located on
the first braided section and the second attachment region being located on
the second braided
section.
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[0013] In another embodiment, the bundle of hair includes a first braided
section, a second
braided section, and a third braided section, the first attachment region
being located on the first
braided section, the second attachment region being located on the second
braided section, and
the bundle of hair includes a third attachment region spaced from the first
attachment region and
the second attachment region, the third attachment region being located on the
third braided
section.
[0014] In one embodiment, the bundle of hair includes a first braided section,
a second braided
section, and a third braided section, and the first attachment region and the
second attachment
region are located on the first braided section.
[0015] In an alternative embodiment, the bundle of hair has a proximal end and
a distal end, the
proximal end being located proximate to the head, the distance between the
distal end and the
head when the first attachment region is moved toward the second attachment
region.
[0016] In another embodiment, the mechanism includes a take-up mechanism, the
elongate
member being coupled to the take-up mechanism so that movement of the take-up
mechanism
adjusts the length of the bundle of hair. In another embodiment, the take-up
mechanism includes
a spool rotatably mounted within the cavity of the body, and a release
mechanism operatively
coupled to the spool and configured to selectively allow rotation of the
spool.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0017] Fig. 1 is a schematic drawing of a hair styling mechanism supported
within a simulated
head of a hair styling doll.
[0018] Fig. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing an embodiment of an
adjustment
mechanism for a hair styling doll.
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[0019] Fig. 3 is a schematic block diagram showing another embodiment of an
adjustment
mechanism for a hair styling doll.
[0020] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of some components of another embodiment
of an
adjustment mechanism for a hair styling doll.
[0021] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of an alternative embodiment
of a head of a
hair styling doll.
[0022] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of another embodiment of a
head of a hair
styling doll.
[0023] Fig. 7 is a plan view of an embodiment of some components of a hair
styling
mechanism including a lock of hair, a string, and a counterweight in a first
style or configuration.
[0024] Fig. 8 is a plan view of multiple hair styling mechanisms, each having
a lock of hair
and a string, in a first style or configuration.
[0025] Fig. 9 is a plan view of the hair styling mechanisms illustrated in
Fig. 8 in a different
style or configuration.
[0026] Fig. 10 is a close-up view of a portion of one of the locks of hair
illustrated in Fig. 9.
[0027] Fig. 11 is a close-up view of another portion of one of the locks of
hair illustrated in
Fig. 9.
[0028] Fig. 12 is a plan view of the hair styling mechanisms illustrated in
Fig. 8 in another
style or configuration.
[0029] Fig. 13 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of a hair styling
mechanism, which
includes a lock of hair, multiple strings, and a counterweight, in a first
style or configuration.
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[0030] Fig. 14 is a plan view of the hair styling mechanism illustrated in
Fig. 13 in another
style or configuration.
[0031] Like reference numerals have been used to identify like elements
throughout this
disclosure.
Detailed Description of the Invention
[0032] It is to be understood that terms such as "left," "right," "top,"
"bottom," "front," "rear,"
"side," "height," "length," "width," "upper," "lower," "interior," "exterior,"
"inner," "outer" and
the like as may be used herein, merely describe points or portions of
reference and do not limit
the present invention to any particular orientation or configuration. Further,
terms such as
"first," "second," "third," etc., merely identify one of a number of portions,
components and/or
points of reference as disclosed herein, and do not limit the present
invention to any particular
configuration or orientation or any particular quantity of such elements. The
disclosed hair
styling mechanisms and hair styling dolls are set forth in the following
detailed description and
the drawings. The detailed description and drawings provide merely examples of
the various
inventions described herein.
[0033] A doll including a hair styling mechanism is referred to herein
alternatively as a hair
styling doll. Referring to Fig. 1, a portion of an exemplary doll is
illustrated. In various
embodiments, a hair styling doll may support a hair styling mechanism in a
variety of locations
on the doll. For example, as shown in Fig. 1, the hair styling mechanism may
be supported in a
cavity of a head of the doll. Additionally or alternatively, the hair styling
mechanism may be
supported in a cavity of a body of the doll.
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[0034] Referring to Fig. 1, the doll 10 includes a body 12 that includes a
cavity 14 formed
therein. The doll 10 also includes a head 20 that has a scalp or scalp region
22 that has several
strands of hair 36 coupled thereto (only a few of which are illustrated).
Formed in the scalp 22 is
an opening or aperture 26 that is defined by an edge 24. The head 20 includes
an inner surface
28 that defines an inner chamber or receptacle 32. In various embodiments, the
shape and
configuration of the head 20 of the doll 10 can vary. In addition, the
location, color, appearance,
and length of hair 36 can vary.
[0035] The doll 10 shown in Fig. 1 includes a hair styling mechanism 100 that
has a feed
mechanism or adjustment mechanism 110, an elongate member or string 150, and a
lock or
bundle of hair 200. The feed mechanism can be referred to alternatively as a
take-up device.
The lock of hair 200 can be referred to alternatively as an extension of hair.
The elongate
member 150 can be referred to alternatively as a strand. As shown in Fig. 1,
the feed mechanism
110 is supported within a cavity 30 of a head 20 of the hair styling doll 10.
In alternative
examples, the feed mechanism 110 is supported within a cavity 14 of a body 12
of the hair
styling doll 10. The hair styling mechanism 110 of Fig. 1 allows a user, such
as a child, to adjust
the style of the lock of hair 200, which may provide amusement and
entertainment to the user.
[0036] The feed mechanism 110 is configured to feed and retract the elongate
member or
string 150 to respectively increase and decrease the apparent length of the
string 150 and as a
result, the length of the hair coupled to the string 150. The apparent length
of the string 150
refers to the length of string 150 extending beyond the feed mechanism 110 to
support the lock
of hair 200. However, in alternative embodiments of dolls, the hair styling
mechanism does not
include a feed mechanism. Instead, in those embodiments, a user simply pulls
on the string 150
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or lets the string 150 go slack to increase or decrease its apparent length
and thereby adjust the
length of the lock of hair 200.
[0037] The feed mechanism 110 may be any structure suitable for feeding and
retracting the
string 150. For example, the feed mechanism 110 may be a rotatably mounted
cylinder 120,
such as a spindle, drum, or spool. The feed mechanism 110 may be configured to
wind the string
150 or to translate the string 150. In some embodiments, the feed mechanism
110 includes a
motor 130, which may be powered by a power source, such as batteries.
[0038] The motor 130 may be actuated by an input from a user, such as the
pressing of an
actuator or button or the closing of a switch. Referring to Fig. 2, a
schematic block diagram of
an embodiment of an adjustment mechanism is illustrated. In this embodiment,
the adjustment
mechanism 60 includes a feed mechanism 62, such as a cylinder or drum, that
has an elongate
member or string 64 coupled thereto. The elongate member 64 is coupled to the
lock of hair 66.
The rotation of the feed mechanism 62 is limited by a dampener 68 that is
coupled to the feed
mechanism 62 and/or the axle of the feed mechanism 62. The adjustment
mechanism 60
includes a drive mechanism 70, such as a motor, that is activated in response
to a user input 72,
such as a button 74 or lever 76. When a user provides the input 72, the drive
mechanism 70 is
activated.
[0039] The adjustment mechanism 62 includes a release mechanism 80 that is
used to maintain
the feed mechanism 62 in a particular position until a change in the length of
the elongate
member 64 is desired. In one embodiment, the release mechanism 80 includes a
latch 82 with an
engagement portion 84, such as one or more teeth, that engages the feed
mechanism 62 directly
or indirectly. A biasing mechanism 88, such as a spring, biases the latch 82
into engagement
with the feed mechanism 62 to hold the feed mechanism 62 in place. When
movement of the
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feed mechanism 62 is desired, the latch 82 is moved against the force of the
biasing mechanism
88 and out of engagement from the feed mechanism 62. The release mechanism 80
may also
include an additional brake mechanism 86 that controls the movement of the
feed mechanism 62.
[0040] In other embodiments, the feed mechanism 110 relies on human motive
force and
manually adjusted. For example, the doll may include a gear or roller that can
be moved by a
user to rotate the cylinder 110. Referring to Figs. 3-4, such an exemplary
embodiment is
illustrated. In Fig. 3, the adjustment mechanism 90 includes a user input 92
that is coupled to a
feed mechanism 94 such that the input 92 directly controls the movement of the
feed mechanism
94. An elongate member 96 is coupled to the feed mechanism 94 and the length
of the elongate
member 96, which is coupled to the hair 98, is adjusted by movement of the
feed mechanism 94.
[0041] Referring to Fig. 4, an exemplary embodiment of some components of an
adjustment
mechanism is illustrated. Adjustment mechanism 170 includes a user input 172
that is rotatably
mounted to the body of the doll. The user input 172 includes an engagement
portion 174 that is
contacted by a user. The input or disk 172 is engaged with gear 176 having
teeth that are
engaged with teeth on gear 178. Gear 178 is mounted on axle 180 which is
coupled to the
cylinder 182 around which elongate member 150 is wound. As the user moves
input 172 back
and forth along the direction of arrows "D," the cylinder 182 rotates back and
forth along the
direction of arrows "E" and the elongate member 150 moves along the direction
of arrows "F."
In different embodiments, the quantity of gears and the particular components
of the gear
mechanism can vary.
[0042] To guide the retraction and release of the string 150, the hair styling
mechanism 100
may include a guide element. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the guide
element is an
opening 26 in the head 20 through which the string 150 extends from inside 32
of the head 20 to
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outside of the head 20. The opening 26 is relatively small to reduce its
visibility and to make the
doll 10 appear more life-like. Further, the head 20 of the hair styling doll
10 may include hair 36
that is distinct from the lock of hair 200 and that covers most of a scalp 22
of the head 20 except
the opening 26.
[0043] In an alternative embodiment, as shown in Fig. 5, the guide element 50
is a ring or loop
52 that is fixed in a position where the string 150 passes through an opening
54 in the loop 52
when the string 150 is tensioned or released. For example, the ring or loop 52
may be coupled to
the head 20 of a hair styling doll 10. In an alternative embodiment, as shown
in Fig. 6, the guide
element 58 is a rod 58 or a pulley (not shown) that the string 150 moves
around.
[0044] Referring back to Fig. 1, the string 150 functions to raise and lower
the lock of hair 200
into different styles or configurations. For example, Fig. I shows a first
style or configuration in
which the lock of hair 200 is fully extended. A second style or configuration
may be similar to a
"bun" hairdo where the lock of hair 200 is gathered or folded upon itself into
a compact or
collapsed mound. (See Fig. 12 for examples of the second style, which are
discussed below.) In
the compact mound, the lock of hair 200 is curled up on itself. Several
intermediate styles exist
between the first style or configuration and the second style or
configuration. (See Fig. 9 for
examples of intermediate styles, which are discussed below.)
[0045] The string 150 may be any elongate tension bearing member. For example,
the string
150 may be formed of cord, fibers, thread, fishing line, wire, or any elongate
member. In some
embodiments, the string 150 is formed of a material having significant
elasticity. The string 150
may be selected to be transparent or of a color that is similar to the color
of the lock of hair to
reduce the visibility of the string 150.
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[0046] The lock or bundle of hair 200 shown in Fig. I includes a root end or
base end 210 near
the head 20 of the hair styling doll 10 and a tip end or distal end 212
opposite the root end 210.
In one embodiment, the lock of hair 200 includes several fibers or strands
that are bundled or
coupled together. For example, referring to Fig. 2, the lock of hair 200 may
simulate human
hair.
[0047] As shown in Fig. 1, the lock of hair 200 may include one or more
attachment regions or
locations at which the string 150 is coupled to the hair 200. In this
embodiment, attachment
regions 160, 162, and 164 are the locations at which the string 150 is
attached or secured to the
lock of hair 200. The string 150 may be attached or secured to the lock of
hair 200 at one of the
attachment regions by any suitable mechanism or technique, including tying,
sewing, adhering,
mechanical fastening, and/or coalescing with heat.
[0048] In some embodiments, a single attachment region is defined on the lock
of hair 200.
For example, a single attachment region may be defined near the tip end of the
lock of hair 200,
such as attachment region 164 in Fig. 1. In other embodiments, a single
attachment region is
defined at a point between the tip end 212 and the root end 210 of the lock of
hair 210.
[0049] As shown in Fig. 1, several attachment regions 160, 162, and 164 may be
defined on
the lock of hair 200. Region 164 may be proximate to the distal end 212, and
regions 160 and
162 may be intermediate along the lock of hair 200. The attachment regions may
define and be
set forth in a pattern, such as a coiling or styling pattern. The attachment
regions may be
arranged to cause the lock of hair 200 to fold, coil, or retract in a desired
manner when the string
150 is tensioned.
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[0050] In some embodiments, the attachment regions for a lock of hair can be
located along a
single braided section. In other embodiments, the attachment regions for a
lock of hair can be
located on different braided sections. The movement of the attachment regions
relative to each
other causes the configuration of the lock of hair to change.
[0051] For example, the pattern of attachment regions may be arranged to cause
the lock of
hair 200 to coil into a bun-style hairdo when the string 150 is tensioned and
the distal end 212 of
the hair 200 is raised. Alternatively, the pattern of attachment regions may
be arranged to cause
the lock of hair 200 to form one or more loops when the string 150 is
tensioned. In some
examples, the attachment regions are arranged into a pattern designed to
reduce the apparent
length of the lock of hair 200.
[0052] Referring to Fig. 7, an embodiment of a lock of hair is illustrated. In
this embodiment,
the lock of hair 300 includes a proximal end or root end 310 that is located
proximate to the head
of a doll. The lock of hair 300 also includes a distal end 312 that is
opposite the proximal end
310. The lock of hair 300 includes several strands 314 that are gathered into
sections or portions
320, 322, and 324 that are braided together as illustrated.
[0053] The lock of hair 300 shown in Fig. 7 includes a counterweight 340 that
is located near
the tip end 312. The counterweight 340 biases the lock of hair 300 toward the
first style 302
(shown in Fig. 7), which is the lock of hair 300 in a substantially linear
configuration, when
tension on the string 350 is reduced. In Fig. 7, the counterweight 340 is a
nut, such as a metal
nut, and is intended to be exemplary of an object that can be coupled to the
lock 300 to help
effect the movement of the lock 300. In other embodiments, the counterweight
340 is designed
or configured as a hair accessory, such as a barrette, clip, or other object.
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[0054] Four different examples of locks of hair bundled together in braids are
shown in Figs. 8,
9, and 12. Referring to Fig 8, in different embodiments, the braids may be
braided relatively
tightly or relatively loosely. The tightness of braiding may be selected based
on desired folding
characteristics of the particular lock of hair. Referring to Fig. 8, the
different tightness of the
various braids is illustrated. Lock of hair 400 is the tightest braid with
lock of hair 500 being the
loosest braid. Locks 300 and 600 are intermediate braids as compared to locks
400 and 500. In
one embodiment, the braiding lock of hair 300 is a preferred tightness as the
tightness determines
how the locks are collapsed or retracted.
[0055] Each of the locks of hair illustrated in Figs. 8, 9, and 12 includes a
single string that is
coupled to the lock of hair in a pattern of attachment regions. The single
string in each lock is
passed along the length of the locks through the different portions of the
braid, through the
spaces or gaps between the different portions of the braid, or a combination
of both. The locks
are moved from a deployed configuration having a length "L1" in Fig. 8, to an
intermediate
configuration having a length "L2" in Fig. 9, to a collapsed or folded
configuration having a
length "L3" in Fig. 12.
[0056] Referring to Fig. 8, lock of hair 400 includes a proximal end 410, a
distal end 412, and
several strands of hair that are collected into three sections 420, 422 and
424 that are braided
together. The single strand 450 is visible for a majority of the length of the
lock 400 as the lock
400 is tightly braided and the strand 450 is inserted through the lock 400.
The strand 450 is
woven through the crossing center of the braid at interval point locations as
shown.
[0057] Proximate to end 412 is a coupler 445 that keeps the braided sections
420, 422, and 424
together and maintains the distal end 412 in contact with the string 450. In
this embodiment, the
string 450 is coupled to lock 400 at attachment or coupling locations 460,
462, 464, 466, and
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468, which are spaced apart along the length of the lock 400. The distance
between adjacent
locations determines the particular collapsed configuration. The greater the
distance between
attachment locations results in bigger loops being formed by the lock 400.
[0058] Similarly, lock of hair 500 includes a proximal end 510, a distal end
512, and strands
that are collected into three sections 520, 522, and 524 that are braided
together. A single strand
550 is visible only for a portion of the length of the lock 500 because the
strand 550 is inserted
into the sections 520, 522, and 524 in an alternating pattern along the length
of the lock 500. In
particular, the strand 550 goes down the center of the braid 500 and is
attached proximate to end
512. A coupler 545 is located proximate to end 512 to maintain the braided
sections 520, 522,
and 524 together.
[0059] Also, lock of hair 600 includes a proximal end 610, a distal end 612,
and braided
sections 620, 622, and 624. A single strand 650 is inserted into the sections
620, 622, and 624 in
an alternating pattern along the length of the lock 600. A coupler 645 is
located proximate to
end 612 to maintain the braided sections 620, 622, and 624 together.
[0060] Referring to Fig. 9, each of the locks 300, 400, 500, and 600 has been
moved to an
intermediate style or configuration. As illustrated in Fig. 9, the locks of
hair coil into an
intermediate style or configuration that is defined and determined by the
pattern of attachment
regions when the string is tensioned. The attachment regions can be the
locations at which the
string is coupled to a lock of hair and/or the locations on the lock of hair
through which are
inserted.
[0061] The strings 350, 450, 550, and 650 of the locks 300, 400, 500, and 600,
respectively,
have been pulled along the direction of arrow "G." When the locks 300, 400,
500, and 600 are
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coupled to a doll, arrow "G" can be referred to as an upward direction. The
particular collapsing
or folding patterns of the different locks are illustrated by the locks 300,
400, 500, and 600 being
in their respective intermediate positions 304, 404, 504, and 604.
[0062] String 450 of lock 400 is visible as the string 450 extends through the
lock 400 from
side-to-side because string 450 is inserted through gaps or spaces between the
braided sections.
Lock 400 is tightly braided and as the string 450 is pulled, the lock 400
folds over on itself. As a
result, the distal end 412 is pulled upwardly and the lock 400 folds on itself
based on the
locations through which the string 450 passes through the lock 400. In
particular, lock 400 folds
randomly aligning the woven point locations as the center of the collapsed
configuration.
[0063] String 550 of lock 500 is visible as string 550 is pulled, thereby
moving end 512 toward
end 510 because the lock 500 is loosely braided and spacing between adjacent
braided sections
increases. As shown, as string 550 is pulled, the loose braids bunch up and
the lock 500 widens.
In this embodiment, the hair 500 is loosely braided to accommodate space for
maximum
clumping during full retraction of the string 550.
[0064] Strings 650 and 350 of locks 600 and 300, respectively, pass through
and along the
braided sections of the respective locks. In other words, the strings 650 and
350 are sewn
primarily internally along the length of the locks 600 and 300. As a result,
the strings 650 and
350 are not visible, even when the strings 650 and 350 are pulled and the
locks 600 and 300
collapse and move to their intermediate positions 604 and 304, respectively.
The strings 650 and
350 are inserted and woven through a combination of the center, right, and
left sides or the three
sections of the braids to achieve a specific bun-style. When the strings 650
and 350 are pulled,
each of the locks 600 and 300 coils and wraps around itself. In other
embodiments, a string may
be inserted or sewn through only one of the braided sections along its length.
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[0065] Referring to Figs. 10 and 11, partial sectional views of lock 300 are
illustrated. Each of
the braided sections 320, 322, and 324 is made up of several fibers or strands
that are grouped
together and braided. In Fig. 10, the string 350 is illustrated as being
inserted into a side wall
328 of a braided section between different fibers. The string 350 then passes
through portions of
the braided sections 320, 322, and 324 in an alternating manner as shown so
that the string 350 is
alternately coupled to the braided sections 320, 322, and 324. In Fig. 11,
only braided section
322 is illustrated for ease of reference. String 350 is inserted into the
section 322 and illustrated
in phantom lines as traveling through the section 322. The arrangements
illustrated in Figs. 10
and 11 are representative of the locks 600 and 300 illustrated in Figs. 8, 9,
and 12.
[0066] Referring to Fig. 12, the folding characteristics of a given lock of
hair depends on
several factors. One factor is how tightly the lock of hair is braided.
Another factor is how
many strings are used or coupled to a lock of hair. Another factor is how many
locations the
string is coupled to the lock. An additional factor is where the coupling
locations and the
spacing between the locations. By varying these factors, the resulting folded
or collapsed
configuration can be varied.
[0067] The second or collapsed style or configuration resulting from the
pattern of attachment
regions and further tensioning of the string is shown in Fig. 12. As can be
seen in Fig. 12, the
second style may resemble a bun hairdo. The strings 450, 550, 650, and 350 of
each of the locks
400, 500, 600, and 300 has been pulled so that the distal end of each of the
locks is proximate to
its proximal end and is in its upper position. As a result, the locks 400,
500, 600, and 300 are
illustrated as being in their collapsed configurations 406, 506, 606, and 306.
[0068] As shown, collapsed lock 400 has a flower-like appearance in that it
has several petal-
shaped extending portions. Collapsed lock 500 is simply squashed down on
itself and has a
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beehive like appearance. Collapsed locks 600 and 300 resemble typical bun-like
structures and
have a generally tight appearance.
[0069] An alternative example of a hair styling mechanism for a hair styling
doll is illustrated
in Figs. 13-14. Referring to Fig. 6, the hair styling mechanism includes a
lock of hair 700,
multiple strings 750 and a counterweight 740. The lock of hair 700 has a
proximal end 710 that
is coupled to a mounting component 705, which is representative of a portion
of a doll's head or
a structure coupled to the doll's head. The lock of hair 700 also has a distal
end 712 that has a
counterweight 740 coupled thereto.
[0070] The multiple strings 750 of the hair styling mechanism of Fig. 13 are
attached to
different portions of the lock of hair 700. For example, some of the different
strings 750 can be
alternately coupled to each of the braided sections of the lock of hair 700.
In addition, each of
the multiple strings 750 has a different length, which results in the pulling
of different parts of
the lock of hair 700 as the strings 750 are tensioned simultaneously.
Tensioning one or more
strings 750 causes the lock of hair 700 to retract at that particular string's
point of attachment or
points of attachment. In Fig. 13, the lock of hair 700 is illustrated in a
first configuration in
which it is in its longest length and deployed in a substantially linear
configuration.
[0071] Fig. 14 shows the lock of hair 700 of Fig. 13 in an intermediate style
or configuration
704 that is achieved upon tensioning certain strings 750 by a given amount.
The intermediate
style 704 resembles a spiral. Further tensioning of the strings 750 causes the
lock of hair 700 to
coil into a mound resembling a bun style hairdo. Reducing tension on the
strings 750 allows the
counterweight 740 to return the lock of hair 700 to the first style 702. In
some embodiments,
using a single elongate member design is simpler than using a multiple
elongate member design.
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[00721 Referring to Fig. 14, some of the features and attributes of the hair
styling mechanism
example shown in Fig. 13 are illustrated. In this embodiment, the externally
connected strings
are visible. In this embodiment, the use of multiple strings and corresponding
attachment
locations enables the lock 700 to have a spiraling retraction pattern when one
or more of the
strings 750 is pulled. The spiraling manner of retraction is indicated by the
arrows "I," "J," "K,",
"L," and "M" as illustrated in Fig. 14. The result is a varying diameter of
the lock of hair 700
when it is coiled and a general bun-like appearance in this configuration 704.
[00731 In some examples, the hair styling mechanism includes a release to
selectively trigger
the feed mechanism to unwind or otherwise supply string. For instance, the
release may include
ratchet teeth or a brake that is biased to selectively engage the feed
mechanism to prevent it from
rotating in a string feeding direction. Additionally or alternatively, the
release may include a
user input device, such as a button or lever, that overcomes the bias of the
ratchet teeth or brake
when engaged by a user. Thus, engaging the user input device allows the feed
mechanism to
rotate in a string feeding direction.
[00741 Additionally or alternatively, the hair styling mechanism may include a
dampener to
dampen or smooth the release of string and, correspondingly, dampen or smooth
the motion of
the lock of hair as it moves back to the first style. The dampener may include
a restrictor that
restricts or retards the rotation of the feed mechanism in a given direction,
such as by reducing
the rate at which the feed mechanism may rotate. In some examples, the
dampener includes a
weight, which serves to offset some of the pull of the counterweight, attached
to the string
opposite the guide member from the counterweight.
[00751 The hair styling mechanisms and hair styling dolls described above may
additionally
and alternatively be described as follows.
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[0076] In one embodiment, the doll has a head that includes a scalp, an
adjustable lock of hair
attached to the scalp at a root end and having a tip end opposite the root
end, a string attached to
the lock of hair near the tip end, and a guide element supported by or defined
by the scalp, the
string interacting with the guide element to move the tip end of the lock of
hair towards the guide
element when the string is pulled.
[0077] In another embodiment, the doll has a bundle of hair for use with the
doll. The bundle
of hair includes a first attachment region, a second attachment region spaced
from the first
attachment region, and a string attached to the first attachment region and to
the second
attachment region, wherein pulling the string draws the first attachment
region toward the second
attachment region to alter the shape of the bundle of hair.
[0078] In another embodiment, the doll includes a mechanism that can be used
to change the
appearance of a lock of hair extending from a doll. The mechanism includes a
string coupled to
the lock of hair, a feed mechanism configured to release and retract the
string to change the
appearance of the lock of hair, and a dampener configured to smooth the
release of string from
the feed mechanism.
[0079] In another embodiment, the doll includes a string or elongate member
that is attached in
more than one position to alter shape of the hair of the doll. The doll
includes a head defining an
opening, an extension of hair attached to the head near the opening, and a
string coupled to the
extension of hair in multiple positions and extending into the opening of the
head, wherein the
string changes the shape of the extension of hair when tensioned.
[0080] In another embodiment, the doll includes a string or elongate member
that is coupled to
a lock of hair in a predetermined pattern. The doll includes a head, a lock of
hair coupled to the
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head at a root end and including a tip end opposite the root end, and a string
coupled to the lock
of hair proximate the tip end and to at least one intermediate position
between the tip end and the
root end, the string being coupled to the lock of hair in a predetermined
coiling pattern that
causes the string to move the lock of hair into a predetermined style when
tensioned.
[0081] In another embodiment, the doll includes an external lock of hair that
is adjustable. The
doll includes a head defining a scalp, a guide element attached to or
supported by the scalp, an
adjustable lock of hair attached to the scalp at a root end and having a tip
end opposite the root
end, and a string having a first end coupled to the adjustable lock of hair
proximate the tip end
and extending through or around the guide element to cause the first end of
the string to move to
the guide element when the string is tensioned.
[0082] In another embodiment, the doll includes a system or mechanism
including a spool, a
release, and a dampener to regulate the length of the string. The doll
includes a body defining a
cavity, a head coupled to the body and defining an aperture, a lock of hair
coupled to the head
and having a tip end distal the head, a spool rotatably mounted within the
cavity of the body, a
release mechanism operatively connected to the spool and configured to
selectively allow
rotation of the spool, a string passing through the aperture of the head and
having a first end and
a second end, the first end being coupled to the spool and the second end
being coupled to the tip
end of the lock of hair, and a dampener operatively connected to the spool to
limit the rate at
which the spool may rotate when released by the release mechanism.
[0083] In another embodiment, the doll head includes a scalp region for the
attachment of doll
hair, an aperture formed in the scalp region, a plurality of strands of doll
hair attached to the
scalp region, with distal end portions, and a separate strand extending
through the doll head and
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out of the aperture, the separate strand movable through the aperture and
operatively attached to
different portions of the plurality of strands of doll hair.
[00841 While embodiments of a toy and methods of use have been shown and
described, many
variations may be made. This disclosure may include one or more independent or
interdependent embodiments directed to various combinations of features,
functions, elements
and/or properties. Other combinations and sub-combinations are regarded as
included within the
subject matter of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the foregoing
embodiments are
illustrative, and no single feature or element, or combination thereof, is
essential to all possible
combinations that may be claimed in this or a later application. Each example
defines an
embodiment disclosed in the foregoing disclosure, but anyone example does not
necessarily
encompass all features or combinations that may be eventually claimed.
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