DOLL HEAD HAVING A MAGNETICALLY ADJUSTABLE FACIAL CONTOUR AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLING SAME

• US 20130288565A1
• Filed: 04/28/2012
• Published: 10/31/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Realbotix, LLC
• Original Assignee: Matthew Mcmullen
• Inventors: McMullen, Matthew
• Granted Patent: US 8,888,553 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 446/321
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 3/365 allowing a choice of facial features, e.g. to change the facial expression change of expression through animation A63H3/48, self-moving A63H13/005; movable eyes A63H3/40
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 3/40 movable

Abstract

A doll head is disclosed having a magnetically adjustable facial contour, along with a method for assembling same. In one embodiment, the doll head includes a face mask support on which is mounted an elastically deformable face mask. Movable adjustment mechanisms and associated motors and power supplies for moving the adjustment mechanisms are disposed in the face mask support. Each adjustment mechanism generates an applied magnetic field. First magnets are affixed to an inner surface of the face mask, and second magnets in magnetic communication with the first magnets are slidably disposed on an exterior surface of the face mask support. The adjustment mechanisms selectively apply magnetic fields that slidably adjust position of the second magnets. As position of the second magnets slidably adjust, the first magnets move to a like extent. As the first magnets move, contour of the face mask adjusts to change expression of the doll head.

Claims

1. A doll head having a magnetically adjustable facial contour, the doll head comprising:

a face mask support;

a face mask mountable on the face mask support, the face mask being movable from a first facial contour to a second facial contour thereof;

a first magnet connectable to the face mask; and

a second magnet adjustably connectable to the face mask support, the second magnet being adapted to magnetically couple to the first magnet for moving the first magnet as the second magnet is adjusted, whereby the face mask moves from the first facial contour to the second facial contour thereof as the first magnet moves.

2. The doll head of claim 1, further comprising:

an adjustment mechanism coupled to the second magnet for adjusting the second magnet.

3. The doll head of claim 2, further comprising:

a motor connectable to the adjustment mechanism for operating the adjustment mechanism.

4. The doll head of claim 3, further comprising:

a power supply connectable to the motor and the adjustment mechanism for supplying power to the motor and the adjustment mechanism.

5. The doll head of claim 1, wherein the face mask support defines a slot therethrough sized to slidably receive the second magnet for slidably adjusting the second magnet.

6. The doll head of claim 1, further comprising:

an eye element movably connected to the face mask support.

7. The doll head of claim 6, wherein the eye element is magnetically movable.

8. A doll head having a magnetically adjustable facial contour, the doll head comprising:

a face mask support defining a cavity therein and a slot therethrough;

a face mask mounted on the face mask support, the face mask being movable from a first facial contour to a second facial contour thereof, the face mask having an interior surface;

a first magnet affixed to the interior surface of the face mask; and

a second magnet adjustably received in the slot and magnetically coupled to the first magnet, whereby the first magnet moves as the second magnet magnetically couples to the first magnet and is adjusted, and whereby the face mask moves from the first facial contour to the second facial contour thereof as the first magnet moves.

9. The doll head of claim 8, further comprising:

an adjustment mechanism magnetically coupled to the second magnet for adjusting the second magnet;

an electrically operable motor connected to the adjustment mechanism for electrically operating the adjustment mechanism; and

an electrical power supply electrically connected to the electric motor and the adjustment mechanism for supplying electricity to the electric motor and the adjustment mechanism.

10. The doll head of claim 9, wherein the electrical power supply is a battery.

11. The doll head of claim 10, wherein the battery is a rechargeable battery.

12. The doll head of claim 8, wherein the face mask support defines an eye socket therein.

13. The doll head of claim 12, further comprising:

a movable eye element disposed in the eye socket, the eye element having a magnetically responsive portion; and

a bi-directional adjustment mechanism magnetically coupled to the magnetically responsive portion of the eye element for moving the eye element bi-directionally.

14. The doll head of claim 13, further comprising:

an electric motor connected to the bi-directional adjustment mechanism for electrically operating the bi-directional adjustment mechanism; and

an electrical power supply electrically connected to the electric motor for supplying electricity to the electric motor.

15. The doll head of claim 14, wherein the electrical power supply is a battery.

16. The doll head of claim 15, wherein the battery is a rechargeable battery.

17. The doll head of claim 8, wherein the face mask support includes a hinged jaw assembly movable between an open position and a closed position.

18. The doll head of claim 17, wherein the jaw assembly is magnetically operable.

19. The doll head of claim 17, wherein the jaw assembly is mechanically operable.

20. A method of assembling a doll head having a magnetically adjustable facial contour, comprising:

providing a face mask support;

mounting a face mask on the face mask support, the face mask being movable from a first facial contour to a second facial contour thereof, the face mask having a first magnet connected thereto; and

adjustably connecting a second magnet to the face mask support, the second magnet being adapted to magnetically couple to the first magnet for moving the first magnet as the second magnet is adjusted, whereby the face mask is movable from the first facial contour to the second facial contour thereof as the first magnet moves.