US3942283A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hand puppet
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-03-27
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Granted: 1976-03-09
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Expires: 1995-03-27
Abstract
Abstract A hand puppet resembling a stuffed animal has a pocket extending therein into which the hand of a manipulator is inserted. The pocket is configured to extend into the legs and head of the animal so that the legs and head may be moved by the fingers of the manipulator. Behind the pocket, there is a cavity which is filled with polyurethane foam or the like so that the back portion of the animal retains its shape as the animal is manipulated.
Inventors
- 👤 Mary P. Rushton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 22:05
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63H; A63H3/00; A63H3/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
232 words
A hand puppet shaped like and having the characteristics of a stuffed toy and being configured for manipulation by five fingers of a hand, comprisng: a body portion defined by front, back and bottom surfaces; a head projecting from said body portion at an end of said body portion opposite said bottom surface; first and second pairs of appendages projecting from said body portion, wherein the first pair of appendages are disposed adjacent the bottom surface of the body portion and the second pair of appendages are disposed between the first pair and head; a pocket extending in said body portion and terminating inside of said appendages and said head to form five depending recesses, each of which is adapted to receive a finger, said pocket being juxtaposed to the front of the body portion so that the palm of the hand is just behind the front surface of the body portion; a cavity disposed between the pocket and the back of the body portion; and stuffing means contained within said cavity for substantially maintaining the shape of at least said back of the body portion as the puppet is manipulated, said stuffing means having sufficient stiffness to maintain the stuffed toy shape of the hand puppet when a hand is not in the pocket and being so located that the hand puppet will rest on the bottom surface without falling over.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
232 words
A hand puppet shaped like and having the characteristics of a stuffed toy and being configured for manipulation by five fingers of a hand, comprisng: a body portion defined by front, back and bottom surfaces; a head projecting from said body portion at an end of said body portion opposite said bottom surface; first and second pairs of appendages projecting from said body portion, wherein the first pair of appendages are disposed adjacent the bottom surface of the body portion and the second pair of appendages are disposed between the first pair and head; a pocket extending in said body portion and terminating inside of said appendages and said head to form five depending recesses, each of which is adapted to receive a finger, said pocket being juxtaposed to the front of the body portion so that the palm of the hand is just behind the front surface of the body portion; a cavity disposed between the pocket and the back of the body portion; and stuffing means contained within said cavity for substantially maintaining the shape of at least said back of the body portion as the puppet is manipulated, said stuffing means having sufficient stiffness to maintain the stuffed toy shape of the hand puppet when a hand is not in the pocket and being so located that the hand puppet will rest on the bottom surface without falling over.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The hand puppet of claim 1, wherein the cavity between said pocket and the back of the body extends behind the depending recesses in the first pair of appendages and wherein the stuffing also extends behind the depending recesses.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The hand puppet of claim 2, wherein the hand puppet is in the form of an animal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The hand puppet of claim 1, wherein the hand puppet is in the form of an animal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The hand puppet of claim 3, wherein a tail projects from the back of the body portion and wherein a portion of the cavity extends into the tail and the stuffing fills the portion of the cavity extending into the tail.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The hand puppet of claim 1, wherein the stuffing is polyurethane.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
11 words
The hand puppet of claim 3, wherein the stuffing is polyurethane.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The hand puppet of claim 2, wherein the cavity of the body portion terminates so as not to extend around the second pair of appendages.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The hand puppet of claim 4, wherein the first pair of appendages form back legs of the animal and the second pair of appendages form front lets of the animal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The hand puppet of claim 1, wherein the cavity opens through the bottom surface of the body portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The hand puppet of claim 5, wherein the cavity and stuffing extend into the head.
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) | 1979-03-09 | 1979-09-08 | 1980-03-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-03-09 | 1983-09-08 | 1984-03-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-03-09 | 1987-09-08 | 1988-03-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |