Interchangeable Plush Toy And Storage Assembly

Abstract

The present invention features an interchangeable plush toy and storage assembly. In some embodiments, the assembly comprises a pillow having a first attachment means, and a storage component having a second attachment means. In some embodiments, the pillow and storage component are temporarily joined via the first and second attachment means to form the interchangeable plush toy and storage assembly. The first and second attachment means include complementing magnets, hook-and-loop, buttons, and the like.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention features an interchangeable plush toy and storage assembly. In some embodiments, the assembly comprises a pillow having a first attachment means, and a storage component having a second attachment means. In some embodiments, the pillow and storage component are temporarily joined via the first and second attachment means to form the interchangeable plush toy and storage assembly.

The interchangeable plush toy and storage assembly may be enjoyed in various ways. For example, a user (e.g., a child) can carry the pillow as a handbag or a back pack. The user can also enjoy the pillow by cuddling up with it. When the pillow is not being used, the pillow may be temporarily attached to the storage component to form, for example, an entire animal for visual enjoyment. The storage component may be situated on a dresser for storage of various accessories. Parents may also employ the pillow as a harness for a child.

Any feature or combination of features described herein are included within the scope of the present invention provided that the features included in any such combination are not mutually inconsistent as will be apparent from the context, this specification, and the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art. Additional advantages and aspects of the present invention are apparent in the following detailed description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of the interchangeable plush toy and storage assembly, having a pillow and a storage component.

FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B show show the various attachment points of the pillow to the storage component. For example, the first attachment means on the pillow may be attached to the second attachment means 32 on the storage component, or to the alternative second attachment means 32.1 on the storage component.

FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B show an exemplary pillow having the shape of a monkey head and how it may be attached to a storage component having the shape of a monkey body to form an interchangeable plush toy and storage assembly.

FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B show an exemplary pillow having the shape of a bear head and how it may be attached to a storage component having the shape of a bear body to form an interchangeable plush toy and storage assembly. FIG. 4B also shows how a headband may be snugly secured around the storage component.

FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B show an exemplary pillow having the shape of a dog head and how it may be attached to a storage component having the shape of a dog body to form an interchangeable plush toy and storage assembly.

FIG. 6A shows a front or back side of a pillow (with phantom facial features shown in broken lines, i.e., the two eyes, nose and two ears). The vertical and horizontal imaginary lines dissect the pillow into four quadrants.

FIG. 6B shows a strap secured to the pillow via one attachment means disposed on the first quadrant and one attachment means disposed on the second quadrant. The pillow may be carried like a hand bag or purse.

FIG. 6C shows a first strap secured to the pillow via one attachment means disposed on the first quadrant and one attachment means disposed on the third quadrant. Also, FIG. 6C shows a second strap secured to the pillow via one attachment means disposed on the second quadrant and one attachment means disposed on the fourth quadrant. The pillow may be worn like a back pack on a user.

FIG. 6D shows a first strap secured to the pillow via one attachment means disposed on the first quadrant and one attachment means disposed on the fourth quadrant. Also, FIG. 6D shows a second strap secured to the pillow via one attachment means disposed on the second quadrant and one attachment means disposed on the third quadrant. The straps are crissed cross as to form a harness that may be used on a child. Also, in some embodiments, there may be another attachment means disposed at the intersection between the first and second quadrant, where a leash may be attached.

FIG. 7 shows a storage component having a storage space that can be sealed off by a lid.

FIG. 8 shows a storage component having a storage space that is in a form of a drawer.

FIG. 9 shows a storage component having a storage space that comprises a leaflet that is sized to fit a digital recording such as a DVD or CD. FIG. 9 further shows slots atop the storage component, wherein the slots are sized to fit electronic equipments such as PDAs, cell phones, MP3s, etc.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention features an interchangeable plush toy and storage assembly 10. In some embodiments, the assembly 10 comprises a pillow 20 having a first attachment means 22, and a storage component 30 having a second attachment means 32. In some embodiments, the pillow 20 and storage component 30 are temporarily joined via the first 22 and second 32 attachment means to form the interchangeable plush toy and storage assembly 10. The first and second attachment means include complementing magnets, hook-and-loop, buttons, snaps, clips, and the like.

In some embodiments, the pillow 20 comprises a head of a character. In some embodiments, the character may be that of an animal such as a monkey, bear, dog, etc. In some embodiments, the character may be that of a popular children personality, such as Dora, Pluto, Mickey Mouse, etc.

In some embodiments, the pillow 20 further comprises one or more storage spaces, for example pockets, for storage. In some embodiments, the storage spaces (e.g., pockets) are covered by a lid (e.g., a removable lid, a partially attached lid). In some embodiments the storage space can be sealed via an attachment means, for example a hook-and-loop fastener, a zipper, a snap, a button, a clip, the like, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the lid is part of the pillow 20. In some embodiments, the storage space is in a form of a drawer. In some embodiments, the storage space has one or more leaflets that are sized to fit and secure digital disk recordings, such as DVDs, CDs, etc.

In some embodiments, the pillow 20 comprises a first quadrant 40, a second quadrant 42, a third quadrant 44 and a fourth quadrant 46. Each quadrant includes the front surface 26, back surface 28 and side surface 29 of the pillow 20. In some embodiments, the front surface 26 comprises facial features (e.g., eyes, nose, etc.) of a character; the back surface 28 is on the opposite side of the front surface, and the side surface 29 is at where the front and the back surface meet. An example of a front surface 26 of a pillow 20 is shown in FIG. 3A.

As viewed from the back surface 28, the quadrants are formed from a first imaginary line that divides the pillow into a left half (first and third quadrant) and a right half (second and fourth quadrant), and a second imaginary line that divides the pillow into a top half (first and second quadrant) and a bottom half (third and fourth quadrant). In some embodiments, the left half has the same volume space as that of the right half. In some embodiments, the top half has the same volume space as that of the bottom half. The volume space is the volume inside the pillow 20. In some embodiments, each quadrant has about the same surface area when looking from the front 26 or back side 28 of the pillow. As used herein, the term “about” means plus or minus 10% of a reference number.

In some embodiments, the pillow 20 further has one or more strap attachment means 50 disposed in a quadrant. A strap 52 may be secured to the pillow 20 via one or more of the attachment means 50. The strap attachment means 50 for attaching a strap includes loop-and-clamp, buttons, hook-and-loop, and the like. For example, the attachment means disposed on the pillow 20 may be a loop or a D-ring sewn to the pillow, and the complementing attachment means on the strap may be a clip secured to an end of the strap, wherein the clip can clip onto the D-ring.

In some embodiments, one end of a first strap 52 is attached to the pillow 20 via a strap attachment means 50 disposed in the first quadrant 40, and another end of the first strap is attached to the pillow via another strap attachment means that is disposed in the second quadrant 42, wherein the first strap 52 functions as a carrying handle for the pillow. See for example FIG. 6B. In some embodiments, the pillow 30 as a pocket reaching into the internal of the pillow for the purpose of storing various items, such as lipsticks, mirrors, comps, etc. The opening of the pocket may be disposed at or close to where the strap is attached to the pillow.

In some embodiments, one end of a first strap 52 is attached to the pillow via a strap attachment means 50 disposed in the first quadrant 40, and another end of the first strap 52 is attached to the pillow 20 via another strap attachment means 50 that is disposed in the third quadrant 54. Further, one end of a second strap 52 is attached to the pillow 20 via a strap attachment means 50 disposed in the second quadrant 42, and another end of the second strap 54 is attached to the pillow 20 via another strap attachment means 50 that is disposed in the fourth quadrant 46, wherein the first 52 and second 54 straps function as back pack style straps. See for example FIG. 6C.

In some embodiments, one end of a first strap 52 is attached to the pillow 20 via a strap attachment means 50 disposed in the first quadrant 40, and another end of the first strap 52 is attached to the pillow 20 via another strap attachment means that is disposed in the fourth quadrant 46. Further, one end of a second strap 54 is attached to the pillow 20 via a strap attachment means 50 disposed in the second quadrant 42, and another end of the second strap 54 is attached to the pillow 20 via another strap attachment means 50 that is disposed in the third quadrant 44, wherein the first and second straps crisscross and function as harness straps. See for example FIG. 6D.

In some embodiments, at least a portion of the surface of the pillow 30 comprises a plush material. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the surface of the pillow 30 is smooth.

In some embodiments, the storage component comprises a body of a character. In some embodiments, the character may be that of an animal such as a monkey, bear, dog, etc. In some embodiments, the character may be that of a popular children personality, such as Dora, Pluto, Mickey Mouse, etc.

In some embodiments, the storage component 30 comprises a construction of soft foam. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,227,633 to Castillo discloses a headband storage device having a construction of soft foam. In some embodiments, such headband storage device may be employed as the storage component 30 of the present invention. In some embodiments, the storage component 30 comprises a cross section that is sized to accommodate a common headband 70 snugly wrapping over it.

The storage component 30 comprises one or more storage spaces 32. In some embodiments, the storage component comprises a storage space 32 that is covered by a lid, wherein the lid forms part of the storage component. See for example FIG. 7. In some embodiments, the storage component 30 comprises a storage space 32 that is in a form of a drawer 34 that is inserted into the storage component 30. See for example FIG. 8. In some embodiments, the storage component 30 comprises a storage space 32 having one or more leaflets 36 that are sized to fit and secure digital disk recordings, such as DVDs, CDs, etc. See for example FIG. 9.

In some embodiments, there are multiple attachment means disposed on the storage component 30 where the first attachment means located on the pillow may be attached to. See for example FIG. 2B. In some embodiments, various appendages may be attached to the storage component. These appendages may be in the form of legs, tails and the like. In some embodiments, one or more of the appendages are sized to allow a hair band to snugly fit over, or a jaw clip to clamp on for storage.

In some embodiments, at least a portion of the storage component comprises a plush material. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the storage compartment is shaggy. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the storage component is smooth.

In use, the user can carry the pillow as a handbag or a back pack. The user can also enjoy the pillow by cuddling up with it. When the pillow is not being used, the pillow may be temporarily attached to the storage component to form, for example, an entire animal. The storage component may be situated on a dresser for storage of various accessories.

The following the disclosures of the following U.S. Patents are incorporated in their entirety by reference herein: U.S. Pat. No. 6,227,633.

Various modifications of the invention, in addition to those described herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description. Such modifications are also intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. Each reference cited in the present application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Although there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made thereto which do not exceed the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the scope of the invention is only to be limited by the following claims.

Claims

1. An interchangeable plush toy and storage assembly, said assembly comprising:

(a) a pillow having a first attachment means;

(b) a storage component having a second attachment means;

the pillow and storage component are temporarily joined via the first and second attachment means to form the interchangeable plush toy and storage assembly.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the pillow comprises a head of a character.

3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the pillow further comprises one or more pockets for storage.

4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the pillow comprises a first quadrant, a second quadrant, a third quadrant and a fourth quadrant.

5. The assembly of claim 4 wherein the pillow further has one or more strap attachment means disposed in a quadrant, wherein a strap may be secured to the pillow via one or more of the attachment means.

6. The assembly of claim 5 wherein one end of a first strap is attached to the pillow via a strap attachment means disposed in the first quadrant, and another end of the first strap is attached to the pillow via another strap attachment means that is disposed in the second quadrant, wherein the first strap functions as a carrying handle for the pillow.

7. The assembly of claim 5 wherein one end of a first strap is attached to the pillow via a strap attachment means disposed in the first quadrant, and another end of the first strap is attached to the pillow via another strap attachment means that is disposed in the third quadrant, further wherein one end of a second strap is attached to the pillow via a strap attachment means disposed in the second quadrant, and another end of the second strap is attached to the pillow via another strap attachment means that is disposed in the fourth quadrant, wherein the first and second straps function as back pack style straps.

8. The assembly of claim 5 wherein one end of a first strap is attached to the pillow via a strap attachment means disposed in the first quadrant, and another end of the first strap is attached to the pillow via another strap attachment means that is disposed in the fourth quadrant, further wherein one end of a second strap is attached to the pillow via a strap attachment means disposed in the second quadrant, and another end of the second strap is attached to the pillow via another strap attachment means that is disposed in the third quadrant, wherein the first and second straps crisscross and function as harness straps.

9. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the storage component comprises a body of a character.

10. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the storage component comprises a construction of soft foam.

11. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the storage component comprises one or more storage spaces.

12. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the storage component comprises a storage space that is covered by a lid, wherein the lid is a portion of the storage component.

13. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the storage component comprises a storage space that is in a form of a drawer that is inserted into the storage component.

14. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the storage component comprises a storage space having a leaflet that is sized to fit and secure a digital disk recording therein.

15. An interchangeable plush toy and storage assembly, said a assembly comprising:

(c) a pillow having a first attachment means, the pillow being a head of a character;

(d) a storage component having a second attachment means, the storage component being a body of the character;

the pillow and storage component are temporarily joined via the first and second attachment means to form the interchangeable plush toy and storage assembly.

16. The assembly of claim 15 wherein the first attachment means on the pillow is disposed on the opposite side of the pillow that shows facial features of the character.

17. The assembly of claim 15 wherein the second attachment means on the storage component is disposed on the neck portion of the storage component.