CREATING A CURLING EFFECT

Number: 20220170531
Published: 2022-06-02
Filed: 2020-12-02
Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
Inventors: WONG; Clifford
CPC: A63H13/005; A63H13/02; A63H3/04; A63H3/46; A63J7/005; F16G13/07; F16G15/12
Verdict: High Hardware
Source: Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline

The keeper's note

Mechanical curling-effect hardware for costumes/show props.

Abstract

A curling effect is provided via system, which may be included in an article, via a plurality of links, including distal, proximal, and intermediary links, that each comprise: a base; first and second wings, connected to opposite sides of the base that each first and second through-holes aligned at a first height; and a header, connected between the wings that defines a third through-hole at the first height and a fourth through-hole at a second height different from the first height that is configured at accept a stringer there-through so that a force applied on the stringer in a direction from the distal link towards the proximal link causes rotation of neighboring links relative to one another joined via a linking axel disposed on a shared axis through the first, second, and third through-holes of the neighboring links.

Background

BACKGROUND

Various articles, including toys, clothing, and novelties, rely on particular motions and shapes to convey an aesthetic or perform a specific function. One of the more difficult to achieve motions or shapes is a curling of an otherwise straight object. SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides, in one aspect, a link for a chain, comprising: a base; a first wing connected on a first side of the base perpendicular to the base, wherein the first wing defines a first through-hole; a second wing connected on a second side of the base perpendicular to the base and opposite to the first side, wherein the second wing defines a second through-hole aligned with the first through-hole; and a header connected on a third side of the base perpendicular to the base, the first wing, and the second wing, wherein the header defines a third through-hole in a parallel plane to the first through-hole and the second through-hole and defines a fourth through-hole in a perpendicular plane to the third through-hole.

The present disclosure provides, in one aspect, a system, comprising: a plurality of links, including a distal link, a proximal link, and at least one intermediary link, wherein each link of the plurality of links comprises: a base; a first wing, connected to a first side of the base; a second wing, connected to a second side of the base opposite to the first side; and a header, connected to a third side of the base perpendicular to the first side and the sec

Claims

1. A link for a chain, comprising: a base; a first wing connected on a first side of the base perpendicular to the base, wherein the first wing defines a first through-hole; a second wing connected on a second side of the base perpendicular to the base and opposite to the first side, wherein the second wing defines a second through-hole aligned with the first through-hole; and a header connected on a third side of the base perpendicular to the base, the first wing, and the second wing, wherein the header defines a third through-hole in a parallel plane to the first through-hole and the second through-hole and defines a fourth through-hole in a perpendicular plane to the third through-hole. || 7. A system, comprising: a plurality of links, including a distal link, a proximal link, and at least one intermediary link, wherein each link of the plurality of links comprises: a base; a first wing, connected to a first side of the base; a second wing, connected to a second side of the base opposite to the first side; and a header, connected to a third side of the base perpendicular to the first side and the second side; wherein the first wing defines a first through-hole at a first height relative to the base; wherein the second wing defines a second through-hole at the first height and aligned with the first through-hole; wherein the header defines a third through-hole at the first height in a parallel plane to the first through-hole; and wherein the header defines a fourth through-hole at a second height different from the first height in a perpendicular plane to the first through-hole; a plurality of linking axles, wherein each linking axle of the plurality of linking axles is disposed through the first through-hole and the second through-hole of a first link of the plurality of links and the third through-hole of a second link of the plurality of links; and a stringer disposed through the fourth through-hole of each link of the plurality of links and secured to the distal link, wherein a force applied on the stringer in a direction from the distal link towards the proximal link causes rotation of the first link relative to the second link for at least one linking axle of the plurality of linking axles. || 14. An article, comprising: a sleeve, having a first end and a second end opposite to the first end; a curling device disposed in the sleeve, the curling device including a plurality of links connected by a plurality of linking axles; and a stringer disposed through the plurality of links and extending outside of the sleeve through the second end, configured to apply a torque to the curling device when pulled in a direction from the first end towards the second end.