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.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

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

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.

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.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a figurine that is capable of overcoming the disadvantages described herein at least to some extent.

SUMMARY

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a figurine in a suitable pose according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the figurine according to FIG. 1 in a suitable pose which includes a suitable accompanying article.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the figurine according to FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.