GB2327367A - Doll stand - Google Patents

Abstract

A stand for supporting a doll 40 comprises a generally arch-shaped support member 10 which is removably attached to a base 12 and a C-shaped gripping member 34 removably attached to the top of the support member 10. In use, the gripping member 34 grips a doll's waist so as to support the doll in variety of different poses. The gripping member 34 may be arranged to rotate relative to the support member (Figure 8).

Description

Doll Stand This invention relates to a stand, and in particular to a stand for supporting a doll in one or more desired poses.

It is known to provide a stand for supporting a doll in one or more positions.

Such a stand generally comprises a support member attached to a base. The support member comprises a sleeve or cuff into which a doll's leg is inserted. The doll can then be arranged in a number of different positions.

However, the type and number of poses which can be supported by such a conventional stand are limited. Firstly, the leg which is held within the sleeve must always remain in the same poSition. Thus, a kicking or running pose is difficult to achieve. Furthermore, the angle at which the doll is supported cannot be altered.

Similar disadvantages are associated with conventional stands in which the arm of the doll is held in a cuff or sleeve which is supported on a vertical stand.

We have now devised an arrangement which overcomes the problems outlined above. Thus, in accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a stand for supporting a doll, comprising a base, a support member consisting of at least one post extending upwardly from the base, and gripping means attached to the support member for gripping a doll's torso.

Because the stand of the first aspect of the present invention grips the doll's abdomen, all of the doll's limbs are free to be moved into any desired position. The number of different poses which can be adopted is therefore greatly increased.

The gripping member is preferably attached to the support member at substantially the same level as the top of the support member. The stand of the present invention can be used with a doll of any size. However, the support member is preferably of a similar length to a doll's legs and pelvis, and the gripping member preferably grips the doll's waist in use.

The support member is preferably arranged on the base such that it is located to one side or on either side of the vertical axis of a doll.

Thus, for example, the support member may comprise a generally inverted Lshaped member, wherein the gripping means is attached at or adjacent the free end of the horizontal portion of the member.

The support member preferably comprises two posts extending upwardly from the base with a space therebetween, the two posts being joined together at the top. In a preferred embodiment, the support member is substantially arch-shaped, with the gripping member being attached at the top of the arch, at a generally central position.

The gripping member preferably includes a regular polygonal peg which is inserted into a corresponding regular polygonal aperture in the support member. In one embodiment, the peg and aperture are octagonal.

Similarly, the base is preferably provided with one or more apertures into which corresponding pegs on the bottom of the support member are inserted to attach the support member to the base.

The base preferably includes a slot for receiving a card such that any matter printed thereon is visible. The upper surface of the base is preferably textured.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a stand for supporting a doll, comprising a base, a support member, and gripping means for supporting the doll, the gripping means being attached to the support member and rotatable relative thereto.

The angle of the doll being supported can be changed by rotating the gripping means relative to the support means. Again, the number of poses which can be adopted is greatly increased.

The gripping member is preferably rotatable between two or more predetermined positions.

All of the components of the doll stand of both aspects of the present invention are preferably formed of moulded plastics material.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front view of the base and support member of a stand according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of the base of a stand according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a card slot included in the base of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the base, support member and gripping member of a stand according to an embodiment of the present invention, before assembly; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the gripping member of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a simplified perspective view of the stand of Figures 1 to 5; Figure 7 is a perspective view of the stand of Figure 6, when in use; and Figure 8 is a front view of the stand of Figure 6, when in use.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, a doll stand according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a generally arch-shaped support member 10 fitted to a base 12. The support member 10 is formed with an octagonal aperture 14 at its upper end.

The base 12 is generally square-shaped, but having rounded corners, as shown in Figure 2 of the drawings. The upper surface of the base 12 is largely textured to simulate a grassy area, as denoted by reference numeral 16. A small ridge 23 is provided around the bottom of the base 12.

A small section 18 of the upper surface of the base is not textured, thereby providing a smooth area for application of a sticker depicting, for example, a logo.

The portion 24 at the rear of the base 12 is also smooth to enable the support member 10 to be attached thereto. Each of the two corners at the rear of the base 12 is provided with two apertures 26, arranged as shown in Figure 2.

The front edge of the base 12 is provided with a slot 20 for holding a card having, for example, a doll's name printed thereon. Referring in particular to Figure 3, the slot 20 is formed by means of a cut-away portion 21 in the front edge of the base 12. At each end of the cut-away portion 21, there is provided a small overlapping section 22 which extends from the outer surface of the base edge. The overlapping sections 22 provide means for holding the card (not shown) in place, while leaving most of the slot open such that the matter printed on the card is visible. A gap is provided between the overlapping portions and the rear wall of the slot such that a card can be inserted therein. The lower ends of the overlapping portions are covered so as to prevent the card from dropping out of the bottom of the slot.

Referring to Figure 4 of the drawings, the base 12, the support member 10 and the gripping member 30 are detachable from each other, for ease of packaging. As shown, the underside of each limb of the support member 10 is provided with two pegs 28 which correspond with the two apertures 26 provided in the rear corners of the base 12. In order to assemble the base 12 and the support member 10, the pegs 28 are pushed into the apertures 26 in the base. The pegs 28 preferably engage with the expansion of moulded clips on support member 10.

The gripping member 30 comprises a generally C-shaped portion which is intended to grip a doll in use. Extending rearwardly of the C-shaped portion, there is provided a post 34 having an octagonal cross-section for engagement with the octagonal aperture 14 in the upper section of the support member 10. During assembly, the post 34 is inserted into the aperture 14 in the support member 10 in a smooth action. When the post 34 is completely inserted into the aperture 14, such that the C-shaped portion is located adjacent the support member 10, the post 34 and the aperture 14 are preferably engaged in a smooth action push fit.

A card 36 depicting the name of the doll, for example, may be inserted into the slot 20 as shown.

The post 34 of the gripping member 30 may be arranged to rotate within the aperture 14 in the support member 10, as shown in Figure 5 of the drawings.

Therefore, the gripping member 30 may be fixed in any one of a number of positions, in this case, eight.

If more fine adjustment of the angle of the gripping member 30 is required, the post 34 may be of circular cross-section, the post 34 engaging the inner wall of a circular aperture in the support member 10 in a friction fit.

Figure 6 of the drawings shows a simplified version of the doll stand when it has been fully assembled. All of the components of the stand are preferably moulded from a plastics material. The support member 12 may be formed of a clear rigid plastic, for minimal visibility. In the case where the stand is intended to grip a football player doll, the base may be formed of green rigid plastics material. The gripping portion 32 is preferably formed of a semi-rigid plastics material, such that the gap in the C-shaped gripping portion 32 can be expanded to fit around the waist of a doll.

In use, a doll 40 is inserted into the C-shaped gripping portion 34 and the waist of the doll is gripped securely. The gap in the gripping portion 34 is expanded to allow the doll to pass through and then released so that it returns to its original configuration.

The doll, which is preferably around 12 inches tall, is supported with its feet clear of the base.

The doll 40 may be arranged in any desired position. For example, as shown in Figure 7, the doll may be arranged to adopt a "kicking "pose, in which one leg extends rearwards between the limbs of the support member 12. The shape of the support member 10 is such that the doll's arms can also be placed in any appropriate position.

With reference to Figure 8 of the drawings, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the gripping member 30 can be rotated such that, in use, a doll can be supported at an angle, as shown. In this example, the doll is held at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to the vertical axis. The arms and legs are outstretched, such that the doll adopts a pose similar to that of a football goalkeeper in action.

Many other configurations and positions are envisaged.

In the light of this disclosure, modifications of the described embodiment, as well as other embodiments, all within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims, will now become apparent to persons skilled in the art.

Claims (18)

CLAIMS:

1. A stand for supporting a doll, comprising a base, a support member having at least one post extending upwardly from the base, and gripping means attached to the support member for gripping a doll's torso in use to support the doll.

2. A stand according to claim 1, wherein the gripping member is attached to the support member at substantially the same level as the support member.

3. A stand according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the support member comprises a generally inverted L-shaped member, and the gripping means is attached at or adjacent the free end of the horizontal portion of the member.

4. A stand according to either of claims 1 or 2, wherein the support member comprises two posts extending upwardly from the base with a space therebetween, the two posts being joined together at the top.

5. A stand according to claim 4, wherein the support member is substantially archshaped.

6. A stand according to claim 5, wherein the gripping member is attached to the top of the arch-shaped support member, at a generally central position.

7. A stand according to any preceding claim, wherein the gripping member includes a peg which is removably inserted into a corresponding aperture in the support member.

8. A stand according to claim 7, wherein the peg and the aperture are regular polygonal in shape.

9. A stand according to claim 8, wherein the peg and the aperture are octagonal.

10. A stand according to any preceding claim, wherein the underside of the support member is provided with at least one peg which is removably inserted into a corresponding aperture in the base to attach the support member to the base.

11. A stand according to any preceding claim, wherein the base includes a slot for receiving a card, such that matter printed on one side thereof is visible.

12. A stand according to any preceding claim, wherein the upper surface of the base is textured.

13. A stand for supporting a doll, comprising a base, a support member, and gripping means for supporting the doll, the gripping means being attached to the support member and rotatable relative thereto.

14. A stand according to claim 13, wherein the gripping member is rotatable between two or more fixed positions.

15. A stand according to any preceding claim, wherein the gripping member is generally C-shaped.

16. A stand according to any preceding claim, wherein the base, the support member and the gripping member are formed of moulded plastics material.

17. A doll and a stand according to either of claims 1 or 13, wherein the support member is of substantially the same length as the doll's legs and pelvis, and the gripping member is attached at the top of the support member such that, in use, the gripping member grips the doll's waist.

18. A stand for supporting a doll substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.