Simulated shoulders for costuming

Abstract

A simulated shoulder is provided for purposes of creating a costume. The shoulder includes a platform having an upper and a lower surface, horizontally disposed support columns defining the periphery of the shoulder platform, and a head supporting structure attached to the upper surface for support of an inflatable bladder. The inflatable bladder is attached to the head supporting structure and simulates a head or supports a costume mask. An elongated support column extends downwardly from the platform. The support column is attached at one end to the platform and spaced apart a sufficient lateral distance so as to accommodate a wearer's head. There is also provided an adjustable flexible strap attached to the support columns to hold the structure to a wearer and for supporting the shoulder platform.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A structure providing simulated shoulders elevated above a wearer's head for support of costumes or the like, comprising 
 a simulated shoulder platform of width and length determined by the width and length required for the shoulder portion of the costume;    support columns extending between the shoulder platform and the shoulders of the wearer, each column attached at one end to the shoulder platform, spaced apart at least the largest lateral dimension of a wearer's head; and    means attached to the shoulder platform to hold the structure to the wearer's head.    
     
     
         2 . The simulated shoulders structure of    claim 1   , in which the termination of the support columns at the wearer's shoulders are shaped to generally conform to a wearer's shoulders.  
     
     
         3 . The simulated shoulders structure of    claim 1   , in which the structure for holding the structure to the wearer's head includes a head engaging portion extending downward from beneath the simulated shoulders platform for engaging the wearer's head and ties attached to the shoulders structure at positions on each side of the wearer's head above his chin to be secured together under the wearer's chin to hold the structure in place.  
     
     
         4 . The simulated shoulders structure of    claim 3    in which the ties are attached to the shoulder platform and extend downward sufficiently far to allow connecting them together under the wearer's chin.  
     
     
         5 . The simulated shoulders structure of    claim 4    in which, the connectors are flexible ties which can be tied beneath the wearer's chin.  
     
     
         6 . The simulated shoulder structure of    claim 3   , in which a head engaging portion to rest against the wearer's head extends from the underside of the simulated shoulder member between the support columns, and the ties extend each side thereof.  
     
     
         7 . The simulated shoulders structure of    claim 6   , in which the ties are attached to the head engaging portion.  
     
     
         8 . The simulated shoulders structure of    claim 6   , in which by varying the length of the head engaging portion and the columns, the shoulders structure may be made to extend varying distances above the wearer's head.  
     
     
         9 . The simulated shoulders structure of    claim 2   , in which at least the support columns are formed of hollow flexible inflatable bladders attached to the shoulder platform at their tops, which columns when inflated provide sufficiently ridged columns for support, with shoulder engaging column bottoms generally conforming to a wearer's shoulders in order to rest on the wearer's shoulders in relative comfort and provide greater shoulder contact for improved support.  
     
     
         10 . The simulated shoulders structure of    claim 9   , in which the simulated shoulder platform is an inflatable bladder member.  
     
     
         11 . The simulated shoulders structure of    claim 1   , in which a post is attached to the simulated shoulders platform on the opposite side from the support columns to provide support for an artificial head, or like attachment.  
     
     
         12 . The simulated shoulders structure of    claim 11   , in which the post is an inflatable bladder member.  
     
     
         13 . The simulated shoulders structure of    claim 12   , in which the post is a self-contained inflatable bladder member separate from that of the shoulder platform so that it can be selectively inflated, or not, as a particular use requires.  
     
     
         14 . The simulated shoulders structure of    claim 11   , in which the post extends upward from the inflatable bladder providing the simulated shoulder platform.  
     
     
         15 . The simulated shoulder structure of    claim 14   , in which the upward extending post to support an artificial head is of inflatable bladder construction.  
     
     
         16 . The structure providing simulated shoulders of    claim 1   , in combination with the costume of flexible fabric covering the shoulders and hanging some distance around the wearer toward the ground, a means included as a part of a fabric garment which allows the wearer to see beyond the costume.  
     
     
         17 . The combination of    claim 16    in which the means by which the wearer is able to see, is a panel of flexible mesh through which it is difficult to see the wearer within the costume, but which enables the wearer, due to his proximity to the screen, to see through the screen with relatively clear visibility.  
     
     
         18 . The costume combination of    claim 16   , in which a post is attached to the shoulder platform on the opposite side from the support columns to provide support for an artificial head, or like attachment.  
     
     
         19 . The costume combination of    claim 18   , in which a simulated head is mounted on the post attached to the simulated shoulders flat form.  
     
     
         20 . The costume combination of    claim 19   , by which the wearer is able to see, is a panel of flexible mesh through which it is difficult to see the wearer within the costume, but which enables the wearer, due to his proximity to the screen, to see through the screen with relatively clear visibility.