US3899168A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Umbrella puppet stage
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1974-07-18
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Granted: 1975-08-12
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Expires: 1994-07-18
Abstract
Abstract A portable umbrella puppet stage for concealing a puppeteer within a foldable enclosure and for providing a performing area for a puppet. The stage is comprised of a collapsible umbrella roof having a circumferential skirt depending from the circular peripheral edge of the umbrella roof. The roof includes a central upright support that may be hand-held or connected to a stand mechanism for supporting the stage at prescribed elevations above a support surface. The skirt includes a rectangular stage opening. A backdrop to the opening is spaced inwardly toward the central support from the stage opening. The backdrop is comprised of a flexible fabric material depending from the umbrella roof. Selective height adjustment of the stage in relation to a support surface may be provided by the stand mechanism. Further, the complete assembly including the umbrella roof, skirt, backdrop, and stand mechanism may be collapsed and folded into a relatively small package for storage or transportation.
Inventors
- 👤 Stella Besherse
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 01:42
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63J; A63J19/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
A portable puppet stage for concealing a puppeteer and for providing a performing area for a puppet, comprising: a central upright support; a collapsible umbrella roof on said support having a cirCular peripheral roof edge; a circumferential skirt of flexible fabric depending from the peripheral roof edge to form an enclosure with the roof for concealing the puppeteer; a stage opening extending through said skirt at a location thereon between top and bottom skirt edges; and a backdrop within the enclosure, depending from a portion of said umbrella roof spaced inwardly from said peripheral roof edge, said backdrop depending to a lower edge terminating below said stage opening and above the bottom skirt edge and spaced inwardly from the stage opening a sufficient distance to define a performing area between the backdrop and the stage opening in which the puppet may be manipulated by the puppeteer with the backdrop further concealing the puppeteer and said backdrop also being sufficiently close to said stage opening to provide a background setting for the performing area.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
173 words
A portable puppet stage for concealing a puppeteer and for providing a performing area for a puppet, comprising: a central upright support; a collapsible umbrella roof on said support having a cirCular peripheral roof edge; a circumferential skirt of flexible fabric depending from the peripheral roof edge to form an enclosure with the roof for concealing the puppeteer; a stage opening extending through said skirt at a location thereon between top and bottom skirt edges; and a backdrop within the enclosure, depending from a portion of said umbrella roof spaced inwardly from said peripheral roof edge, said backdrop depending to a lower edge terminating below said stage opening and above the bottom skirt edge and spaced inwardly from the stage opening a sufficient distance to define a performing area between the backdrop and the stage opening in which the puppet may be manipulated by the puppeteer with the backdrop further concealing the puppeteer and said backdrop also being sufficiently close to said stage opening to provide a background setting for the performing area.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The puppet stage set out in claim 1 further comprising: a slit within said skirt extending upwardly from the top skirt edge at said peripheral roof edge to a bottom skirt edge below said top skirt edge, allowing free access to said enclosure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The puppet stage set out in claim 1 wherein said stage opening is rectangular, having horizontal and vertical edges with said horizontal edges being reinforced by horizontal stays.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The puppet stage as set out in claim 1 further including central stand means operatively engageable with the central support for holding the umbrella roof at a prescribed location above a support surface, said stand means being adjustable to enable selective height adjustment of said stage opening.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The puppet stage set out in claim 4 wherein the stand means is comprised of individual tubular segments interfitting to provide said selective height adjustment.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The puppet stage set out in claim 1 further comprising a removable skirt extension removably mountable to the bottom edge of said skirt elevationally below said stage opening.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-08-11 | 1979-02-10 | 1979-08-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-11 | 1983-02-10 | 1983-08-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-11 | 1987-02-10 | 1987-08-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |