LENS EYE ASSEMBLY

Abstract

The present invention relates to an eye assembly for a toy doll. The lens eye assembly include a first base part and a second base part, the first and second base parts collectively forming a base frame. A lens eye is affixed with the base frame. The first and second base parts include a connection mechanism for holding the lens eye affixed with the first and second base parts. The connection mechanism includes a tongue and groove for fixedly attaching the first base part with the second base part. Further, the lens eye include tabs protruding therefrom and the first and second base parts include slots formed to receive the tabs. Additionally, the lens eye is a clear plastic lens with a convex top surface and an eye image affixed with a bottom surface.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of Invention

The present invention relates to an eye assembly for a toy doll and, more particularly, a lens eye assembly that includes a base frame for affixing the assembly with a doll.

(2) Description of Related Art

Dolls are formed using a variety of techniques, with a long sought after goal of providing aesthetic realism. Doll eyes are often used as defining features to provide character and realism to the toy. For example, some dolls have eyes simply painted onto the shell of a plastic doll head. Such painted eyes are safe in that they are not removable from the doll head and also stable, in that they do not shift within the doll head. While perfectly still (i.e., no eye shift) and safe (i.e., not removable), such painted eyes do not provide the realistic look as may be desired.

Thus, to enhance realism, some dolls are formed with glass eyes. While glass eyes themselves provide a relatively realistic look, a problem with glass eyes is that they can shift which creates an unnatural look when within the doll. Further, such eyes can often be removed from the doll which provides a safety risk to small children.

Additionally, traditional doll eyes (such as the glass eyes described above) include the whites of the eye within the eye itself. While convenient for manufacturing, including the whites of the eye within the eye itself does not typically provide the three dimensional realistic effect as desired.

Thus, a continuing need exists for a realistic looking eye assembly that allows for fixed position and attachment within a doll.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to an eye assembly for a toy doll. The lens eye assembly include a first base part and a second base part, the first and second base parts collectively forming a base frame. A lens eye is affixed with the base frame. The first and second base parts include a connection mechanism for holding the lens eye affixed with the first and second base parts. The connection mechanism includes a tongue and groove for fixedly attaching the first base part with the second base part. Further, the lens eye include tabs protruding therefrom and the first and second base parts include slots formed to receive the tabs. Additionally, the lens eye is a clear plastic lens with a convex top surface and an eye image affixed with a bottom surface.

In another aspect, the invention includes a doll head having a socket for receiving and holding the lens eye assembly described herein.

Finally, as can be appreciated by one in the art, the present invention also comprises a method for forming and using the invention described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed descriptions of the various aspects of the invention in conjunction with reference to the following drawings, where:

FIG. 1 is an exploded-view illustration of a lens eye assembly according to the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of the lens eye assembly according to the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an illustration depicting an assembled lens eye assembly;

FIG. 4 is an illustration depicting a bottom-view of a doll head, with a portion of the doll head cut-away to depict the lens eye assembly as being positioned within an eye socket of the doll head;

FIG. 5 is an illustration depicting a front-view of the doll head, with a portion of the doll head cut-away to depict the lens eye assembly as being positioned within an eye socket of the doll head; and

FIG. 6 is an illustration depicting the doll head with the lens eye assembly affixed thereto.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to an eye assembly for a toy doll and, more particularly, a lens eye assembly that includes a base frame for affixing the assembly with a doll. The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and to incorporate it in the context of particular applications. Various modifications, as well as a variety of uses in different applications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to a wide range of embodiments. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments presented, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without necessarily being limited to these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form, rather than in detail, in order to avoid obscuring the present invention.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with this specification and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference. All the features disclosed in this specification, (including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is only one example of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

Furthermore, any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. Section 112, Paragraph 6. In particular, the use of “step of” or “act of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, Paragraph 46.

Please note, if used, the labels left, right, front, back, top, bottom, forward, reverse, clockwise and counter clockwise have been used for convenience purposes only and are not intended to imply any particular fixed direction. Instead, they are used to reflect relative locations and/or directions between various portions of an object.

(1) Description

The present invention relates to a lens eye assembly for a toy doll. To be contrasted with traditional glass eyes, the lens eye assembly according to the principles of the present invention includes an eye that appears real, yet does not have a spherical backside. Because the backside is irregularly shaped (i.e., not spherical), it allows the lens eye assembly to be fixedly attached with a toy doll at the desired angle and location.

As shown in FIG. 1, the lens eye assembly includes a first base part 100 and a second base part 102, with the first and second base parts 100 and 102 collectively forming a base frame 104. Also included is the lens eye 106, which is held by the base frame 104. The base frame 104 is any suitable mechanism or device that is operable to fixedly and securely hold the lens eye 106. As a non-limiting example, the lens eye 106 includes tabs 108 that project from the lens eye 106. Formed in each of the first and second base parts 100 and 102 are slots 110 that are formed to accommodate and receive the tabs 108. Further, the first and second parts 100 and 102 include any suitable connection mechanism that allows the parts 100 and 102 to be easily connected and affixed with one another. As a non-limiting example, one of the first and second parts 100 and 102 can include a tongue lock 112 while the other of the first and second parts 100 and 102 includes a corresponding groove 114 for receiving and locking with the tongue lock 112. Thus, during assembly, a user or manufacturer can simply insert the tabs 108 of the lens eye 106 into one of the slots 110 (such as on the first part 100), and then slide the second part 102 into the first pan 100. By sliding the first part 100 into engagement with the second part 102, the tabs 108 of the lens eye 106 are forced into the slots 110 and, further, the tongue lock 112 lockingly engages with the groove 114, thereby affixing the lens eye 106 into place with respect to the base frame 104. Although not required to lock the lens eye 106 against the first and second part 100 and 102, a glue or adhesive may also be optionally included to adhere all of the relevant components together for further security.

For further understanding, FIG. 2 illustrates another example of the lens eye assembly. As shown, the first part 100 and/or second part 102 include a tongue lock 112 and corresponding groove 114. Also as shown are the tabs 108 on the lens eye 106 and a corresponding slot 110 for receiving at least one of the tabs 108. It should be understand the tabs 108 and slots 110 are provided as a non-limiting example of a suitable connector device for connecting the lens eye 106 with the first and second parts 100 and 102 and that any other suitable device or technique can be employed. For example, the tabs 108 and slots 110 could be reversed, such that the lens eye 106 includes the slots 110 while the first and second parts 100 and 102 include the tabs 108.

As another non-limiting example, the sides 200 of the lens eye 106 can be angled outward slightly, with the walls 202 of the first and second parts 100 and 102 being formed such that they rise at an inward angle. Thus, in this aspect, the lens eye 106 would be held in place with the first and second parts 100 and 102 operating effectively as a clam shell to hold the lens eye 106.

The lens eye 106 is formed in any desired shape and of any desired material. As a non-limiting example and as shown in FIG. 2, the lens eye 106 includes a convex lens surface 204. Further, the lens eye 106 can be formed of a clear plastic, with a bottom surface of the lens eye 106 being painted or otherwise having an eyeball or eye image adhered thereto. Thus, because the lens eye 106 is clear, a child or user can see the eye image through the lens eye 106 which provides depth and realism. As a non-limiting example, the eye image can be tampo printed on the bottom surface of the lens eye 106 with the color and image directed toward the top convex lens surface 204.

For further understanding, FIG. 3 illustrates an assembled lens eye assembly 300, showing the base 104 as securely holding the lens eye 106. Once assembled, the lens eye assembly 300 can be affixed with a doll head.

For example, FIG. 4 is an illustration depicting a bottom-view of a doll head 400. In this illustration, a portion of the doll head 400 is cut-away to depict an eye socket 402, in which the lens eye assembly can be press fit. Notably, the base frame 104 fits within the eye socket 402, with the lens eye 106 protuding through holes that frame or otherwise form an entrance or opening 404 to the eye socket 402. Because the opening 404 to the eye socket 402 has a smaller diameter than the eye socket 402 itself, the base frame 104 is held securely within the eye socket 402. Through forming the lens eye 106 with larger base frame 104, the lens eye assembly 300 can be positioned into and securely held in eye sockets of any shape. Thus, the lens eye assembly can be formed in any shape or size as desired. As a non-limiting example and to further add realism, the lens surface 204 has a curvature (e.g., convex) that matches an eye recess curvature 406 of the doll head 400. In other words, the doll head 400 includes a face and eye socket 402. The opening 404 and surrounding facial features of the head 400 are formed to simulate a real face and, as such, have a natural eye recess curvature 406. Thus, in this non-limiting example and aspect, the lens eye 106 has a lens surface 204 with a curvature that is formed to match the eye recess curvature 406.

For further understanding, FIG. 5 illustrates a front-view of a doll head 400, with a portion of the doll head 400 cut-away to depict the lens eye assembly 300 as being positioned within an eye socket of the doll head 400. As shown, the opening 400 to the eye socket has a diameter that fits snugly around the diameter of the lens eye 106, yet is smaller than the diameter of the base frame 104. Thus, the lens eye assembly 300 is securely held within the eye socket of the doll head 400.

FIG. 6 illustrates a whole doll head 400 with the lens eye assembly 300 securely attached thereto. It should be noted that in non-limiting one aspect, the lens eye assembly allows for painting of the white of the eye (i.e., the sclera 600) directly on the doll head 400. By painting (or coloring, etc.) the sclera 600 directly on the doll head 400, the lens eye assembly 300 is provided with depth and aesthetic realism.

Claims

1. A lens eye assembly, comprising: a first base part and a second base part, the first and second base parts collectively forming a base frame; anda lens eye affixed with the base frame.

2. The lens eye assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first and second base parts include a connection mechanism for holding the lens eye affixed with the first and second base parts.

3. The lens eye assembly as set forth in claim 2, wherein the lens eye is a clear plastic lens with a convex top surface and an eye image affixed with a bottom surface.

4. The lens eye assembly as set forth in claim 3, wherein the lens eye include tabs protruding therefrom and the first and second base parts include slots formed to receive the tabs.

5. The lens eye assembly as set forth in claim 4, wherein the connection mechanism includes a tongue and groove for fixedly attaching the first base part with the second base part.

6. The lens eye assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the lens eye is a clear plastic lens with a convex top surface and an eye image affixed with a bottom surface.

7. The lens eye assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein the lens eye include tabs protruding therefrom and the first and second base parts include slots formed to receive the tabs.