Patent US4504240A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4504240A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hand puppet with detachable facial elements
Assignee: Those Characters from Cleveland LLC
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Filing: 1982-09-20
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Granted: 1985-03-12
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Expires: 2002-09-20
Abstract
Abstract A hand puppet in which a plurality of different facial components can be removably attached to a head portion to produce different characters, such as monsters, funny looking characters, science fiction characters, etc. The hand puppet has a relatively rigid head portion, and the facial components can be attached anywhere on the head portion, and in any orientation relative to the head portion. A sleeve depends from the head portion, and has an opening at its distal end, and into which an operator's hand can be inserted to support the puppet. The sleeve is preferably formed of fabric which depicts an outer garment for the puppet and the sleeve has a pocket for storing the detachable facial components. Further, the sleeve is designed so that when the pocket is closed, it is basically hidden from view. Thus, the detachable facial components that are not being used to form the puppet's face are stored in a way which does not detract from the appearance of the puppet, and yet makes them readily accessible for changing the puppet's face.
Inventors
- 👤 John J. Thomas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 08:06
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63H; A63H3/00; A63H3/36; A63H3/365; A63H3/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
203 words
A hand puppet adapted to be formed into different characters, comprising a head portion; a plurality of facial components for detachable attachment to said head portion; a sleeve depending from said head portion; said sleeve defining an opening for receiving a person's arm for supporting the hand puppet therefrom; said sleeve including a storage compartment for storing said facial components; closure means for selectively opening and closing said storage compartment; said head portion having an outer peripheral surface defining a front portion, a top portion, a back portion and side portions extending between said front and back portions, said front portion of said outer surface having a recessed portion defining a mouth; a layer of a material which can engage "Velcro"-like material covering the portions of said outer surface defining said mouth and said front, top, back and side portions of said head portion, each of said detachable facial components including a layer of "Velcro"-like material for detachably engaging the component with any portion of said head portion in different locations on said head portion, and said detachable facial components including at least one set of teeth with a strip of " Velcro"-like material for detachable engagement to a part of said mouth.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
203 words
A hand puppet adapted to be formed into different characters, comprising a head portion; a plurality of facial components for detachable attachment to said head portion; a sleeve depending from said head portion; said sleeve defining an opening for receiving a person's arm for supporting the hand puppet therefrom; said sleeve including a storage compartment for storing said facial components; closure means for selectively opening and closing said storage compartment; said head portion having an outer peripheral surface defining a front portion, a top portion, a back portion and side portions extending between said front and back portions, said front portion of said outer surface having a recessed portion defining a mouth; a layer of a material which can engage "Velcro"-like material covering the portions of said outer surface defining said mouth and said front, top, back and side portions of said head portion, each of said detachable facial components including a layer of "Velcro"-like material for detachably engaging the component with any portion of said head portion in different locations on said head portion, and said detachable facial components including at least one set of teeth with a strip of " Velcro"-like material for detachable engagement to a part of said mouth.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A hand puppet as defined in claim 1 wherein said head area includes a relatively stiff base defining said outer peripheral surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A hand puppet as defined in claim 2 wherein said recess portion comprises a pair of surfaces which converge inwardly from said outer peripheral surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
91 words
A hand puppet as defined in any of claims 1-3 wherein said sleeve has a visible outer periphery, said storage compartment extending inward from the visible outer periphery of said sleeve and being completely separated from the portion of the sleeve which receives a person's arm, means forming an access opening to said storage compartment, said closure means being adapted to open and close said access opening, and said storage compartment being hidden from view by the outer periphery of said sleeve when said closure means is closing said access opening.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A hand puppet as defined in claim 4 wherein said sleeve is formed of fabric, and has an outer periphery shaped to depict a garment for the puppet.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-03-11 | 1988-09-10 | 1989-03-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-03-11 | 1992-09-10 | 1993-03-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-03-11 | 1996-09-10 | 1997-03-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |