US4075780A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Marionette actuation
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-10-21
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Granted: 1978-02-28
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Expires: 1996-10-21
Abstract
Abstract This marionette show unit is primarily intended for the operation by and entertainment of a child rather than for professional use. Marionette assemblies include a marionette suspended from a suspension unit. The assembly may be placed in any one of four positions upon a stage. Any one of several marionette assemblies may be placed into the four positions on the stage. A keyboard on the stage moves strikers horizontally against the strings as they extend through the suspension unit so that the horizontal movement of the strings is translated into vertical movement of the strings, actuating the marionette in the conventional manner. Scenery at the back of the stage may be changed.
Inventors
- 👤 David T. Linebaugh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 06:59
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63J; A63J19/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
The method of actuating marionettes on a stage, each marionette having a. movable parts with b. a plurality of strings, one string attached to each of the movable parts, comprising the steps of: c. suspending each of the marionettes from a suspension unit, d. inserting one of the suspension units into the stage, e. manipulating individual keys on a keyboard on the stage, thus individually f. raising the strings below the suspension unit responsive to the manipulation by g. moving a striker mounted on the stage from a first position which is clear of the suspension unit to a second position against a part of the suspension unit to raise a string on the suspension unit, and h. removing and replacing one of the suspension units, thus changing a marionette.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
130 words
The method of actuating marionettes on a stage, each marionette having a. movable parts with b. a plurality of strings, one string attached to each of the movable parts, comprising the steps of: c. suspending each of the marionettes from a suspension unit, d. inserting one of the suspension units into the stage, e. manipulating individual keys on a keyboard on the stage, thus individually f. raising the strings below the suspension unit responsive to the manipulation by g. moving a striker mounted on the stage from a first position which is clear of the suspension unit to a second position against a part of the suspension unit to raise a string on the suspension unit, and h. removing and replacing one of the suspension units, thus changing a marionette.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 with an additional limitation of j. changing scenery on the stage behind the marionettes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
132 words
In a marionette assembly adapted to be placed into a stage of same, said assembly having a. a marionette with movable parts, b. a plurality of strings, one string attached to each of the movable parts; the improved structure for holding the strings to be manipulated comprising: c. a top plate to which the strings are attached and d. a bottom plate (i) attached to the top plate, (ii) spaced below the top plate and (iii) having a plurality of holes spaced therethrough, e. said top and bottom plates forming a suspension unit, f. each of said strings extending through one of the holes so that lateral displacement of the string will be translated into vertical displacement of the string below the bottom plate, thereby actuating the moving parts of the marionette.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
132 words
In a marionette assembly adapted to be placed into a stage of same, said assembly having a. a marionette with movable parts, b. a plurality of strings, one string attached to each of the movable parts; the improved structure for holding the strings to be manipulated comprising: c. a top plate to which the strings are attached and d. a bottom plate (i) attached to the top plate, (ii) spaced below the top plate and (iii) having a plurality of holes spaced therethrough, e. said top and bottom plates forming a suspension unit, f. each of said strings extending through one of the holes so that lateral displacement of the string will be translated into vertical displacement of the string below the bottom plate, thereby actuating the moving parts of the marionette.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
The invention as defined in claim 3 with additional limitations of g. a stage with h. the suspension unit mounted thereon and the marionette suspended on the stage, and j. means on the stage for individually displacing the strings between the top and bottom plate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention as defined in claim 4 with an additional limitation of k. more than one marionette assembly as defined on a single stage.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
The invention as defined in claim 5 with additional limitations of m. said stage being enclosed in a box, n. a slot in the side of the box, o. backdrop scenery painted on a panel, p. said panel inserted onto the stage through said slot.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
149 words
In a marionette show unit having a. a marionette assembly including a marionette with (i) movable parts, and (ii) a plurality of strings, one string attached to each of the movable parts, and b. a stage for the marionette with the improved structure for manipulating the strings comprising: c. the marionette assembly also including a suspension unit for the marionette, said strings attached to d. a raising means on the suspension unit for individually raising the strings, e. said suspension unit removably mounted in the stage, f. a plurality of strikers on the stage with one striker for operating each of the raising means, g. a keyboard on the stage with a key for each string on the marionette, and h. a linkage connecting each key with each striker so that operation of a key will manipulate a part of the marionette by the striker operating the raising means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
149 words
In a marionette show unit having a. a marionette assembly including a marionette with (i) movable parts, and (ii) a plurality of strings, one string attached to each of the movable parts, and b. a stage for the marionette with the improved structure for manipulating the strings comprising: c. the marionette assembly also including a suspension unit for the marionette, said strings attached to d. a raising means on the suspension unit for individually raising the strings, e. said suspension unit removably mounted in the stage, f. a plurality of strikers on the stage with one striker for operating each of the raising means, g. a keyboard on the stage with a key for each string on the marionette, and h. a linkage connecting each key with each striker so that operation of a key will manipulate a part of the marionette by the striker operating the raising means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
The invention as defined in claim 7 with additional limitations of j. said stage being enclosed in a box, k. a slot in the side of the box, m. backdrop scenery painted on a panel, n. said panel inserted onto the stage through said slot.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention as defined in claim 7 with additional limitations of j. the stage having a cover hinged to the bottom of the stage k. so that when the cover is open the cover forms a forestage floor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention as defined in claim 9 with an additional limitation of m. said keyboard mounted on said cover.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The inention as defined in claim 7 with an additional limitation of j. more than one marionette assembly as defined on a single stage.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention as defined in claim 11 with additional limitations of k. the stage having a cover hinged to the bottom of the stage m. so that when the cover is open the cover forms a forestage floor.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention as defined in claim 12 with an additional limitation of n. said keyboard mounted on said cover.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
45 words
The invention as defined in claim 13 with additional limitations of o. said stage being enclosed in a box, p. a slot in the side of the box, q. backdrop scenery painted on a panel, r. said panel inserted onto the stage through said slot.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
89 words
The invention as defined in claim 14 wherein said raising means includes: s. a top plate to which the strings are attached, and t. a bottom plate (i) attached to the top plate, (ii) spaced below the top plate, and (iii) having a plurality of holes placed therethrough, u. each of said strings extending through one of the holes so that v. a lateral displacement by said striker will be translated into vertical displacement of the string below the bottom plate, thereby activating the moving parts of the marionette.
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) | 1981-02-27 | 1981-08-29 | 1982-02-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-02-27 | 1985-08-29 | 1986-02-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-02-27 | 1989-08-29 | 1990-02-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |