Reconfigurable Plush Toy

Abstract

Improvements in a reconfigurable plush toy that is filled with material that allows the toy to be crushed, and washed without harm to the user. The plush toy can be used by infants to young children that can reconfigure the reconfigurable plush toy from known to imaginable toys. The exterior body is made of a loop surface of fabric that accepts hooks that is found in hook-and-loop fasteners. The loop material allows a child to place extremities and features on the toy. The body of the toy is sewn using two different colors that allows for differentiation between the animals being created by two or more different children. The toy can be supplied with a storage board. A stikkie allows two reconfigurable plush toys and or extremities to connect together, such as feet to feet or on-top of each other.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

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INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to improvements in plush toys. More particularly, the present reconfigurable plush toy has a generic body that is configurable with a different extremities to create a variety of different animals and creatures.

2. Description of Related Art including information disclosed under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98

Plush toys are available in a variety of different shapes in finite known configuration. These plush toys allow children to interact and play with the plush toys that have the appearance of animals, and or other land and sea creatures. Plush toys are typically constructed with a soft internal core of foam, cotton or fiber material and then are covered with a fabric outer shell. These toys are generally sewn together and or printed or sewn into the desired shape.

While these plush toys are shaped as animals they are not configurable by the end user to make different animals using a single common body form. A number of patents and or publications have been made to address these issues. Exemplary examples of patents and or publication that try to address this/these problem(s) are identified and discussed below.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,208,832 issued to Renee D. Corriveau on Jul. 31, 1980 discloses a Constructible animal doll. The doll has a bulbous body with a bulbous head section. The doll does not have integrated extremities, but has fixed locations for connecting different types of extremities. The body is not constructed with a fabric that allows for hook type fasteners, and the hook or loop is only located at specific locations of the body of the doll.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,979,924 issued on Dec. 25, 1990 to Nina Manger discloses a Toy Kit with Stuffed Animal-Like Figurine Having a Changeable Appearance. This figurine has a monochrome colored body where different features can be removably attached. While the figurine has a plush body, the figurine is not constructed with at least two colors to provide contrasting appearance and further does not include a board to store parts or a component that allows connection of more than one toy to another.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,280,283 issued on Aug. 28, 2001 to Constance R. Sisler discloses a Doll Kit. This doll kit is essentially an embodiment of a humanoid figure. A child can use the doll to change faces and facial expressions, but the doll is still essentially human figure. This patent does not allow a child to configure the doll into other types or real of imagined animals.

What is needed is a plush toy with an outer fabric that allows hook type fastening. The plush toy should also include a platform for positioning the plush toy for storage and storage of the accessories. The plush toy should also include elements to connect toys and features together. The plush toy disclosed in this document provides the solution.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the reconfigurable plush toy for the toy to be plush or filled with material that allows the toy to be crushed, and washed without harm to the user. The plush toy can be used by children who can reconfigure the reconfigurable plush toy from known to imaginable toys. Infants can become accustomed to the toy without reconfigurable elements, and the size of the elements can be introduced to a child as the child becomes more mature.

It is an object of the reconfigurable plush toy for the exterior body of the Loop surface to be a fabric that accepts hooks that is found in hook-and-loop fasteners. The loop material allows a child to place and move elements, including, but not limited to, ears, eyes, nose, trunk, tusk, tail, antler and other elements around the reconfigurable plush toy to make different animals. The accessories or elements can also be fabricated in different colors or patterns to increase the unique animal varieties.

It is an object of the reconfigurable plush toy for the body to be configured in two different colored fabrics on the same reconfigurable plush toy. The use of two different colors or a bi-color provides a contrast to the body and the extremities. Using two different colors allows for differentiation between the animals being created by two or more different children that are playing with the reconfigurable plush toys.

It is another object of the reconfigurable plush toy for the reconfigurable plush toy to be supplied with a board made from the same fabric as the reconfigurable plush toy. The board can be placed vertically or horizontally and is used to store not only the reconfigurable plush toy but also the different extremities and elements that can be secured to the reconfigurable plush toy. The board can be as thick as one inch or more and the sides of the board can be covered with the same material to allow a child to stick the reconfigurable plush toy and the accessories to the side of the board.

It is still another object of the reconfigurable plush toy to include one or more “stikkie”. The stikkie is a double sided hook material that allows joining of two separate loop material surfaces. The stikkie allows two reconfigurable plush toys to connect together, such as feet to feet or on-top of each other. The stikkie also allows the reconfigurable plush toy to connect to the board for storage or display purposes.

Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 shows a reconfigurable plush toy on the board with the components placed on the board.

FIG. 2 shows a detailed view of the reconfigurable plush toy with some extremities placed on the reconfigurable plush toy.

FIG. 3 shows a front left perspective view of the reconfigurable plush toy on the board.

FIG. 4 shows a left perspective view of the reconfigurable plush toy on the board.

FIG. 5 shows a right left perspective view of the reconfigurable plush toy on the board.

FIG. 6 shows a rear right perspective view of the reconfigurable plush toy on the board.

FIG. 7 shows a rear left perspective view of the reconfigurable plush toy on the board.

FIG. 8 shows a top view of the reconfigurable plush toy on the board.

FIG. 9 shows a top view of the storage and play board.

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a stikkie.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a reconfigurable plush toy 20 on the board 70 with the components placed on the board 70. The board 70 provides not only a play surface, but it also provides a storage area for storing the components on the board 70 to make the available to the child or person who is playing with the reconfigurable plush toy 20. The board can be placed on a flat surface and the board 70 can also be hung on a wall where the board 70, components and reconfigurable plush toy 20 are easily accessible. The top surface of the board 70 is covered with a surface that allows a hook material to temporarily retain on the board 70.

The board 70 is shown with a plurality of “stikkie” pads 71. The stikkie pads 71 are essentially double sided hook surfaces that temporarily connect to the surface of the board 70 and to a surface of the reconfigurable plush toy 20 and or the accessory components. The body 21 of the reconfigurable plush toy 20 is also fabricated with a material that is loop material that temporarily secures to hook material. The stikkie pads 71 secure the bottom of the feet or legs 23 to the board 70. A single stikkie pad 71 shown and described in other figures of this document. The board 70 can be as thick as one inch or more and the sides of the board 70 can be covered with the same material to allow a child to stick the reconfigurable plush toy and the accessories to the side of the board 70. It is also contemplated that the back side of the board 70 can be covered to add an additional playing and storage surface.

The reconfigurable plush toy 20 has a body 21 with a head 22 with extremities shown as legs (23 identified in this figure). The head 22 of the reconfigurable plush toy 20 is shown with eyes 31 and eyebrows 30. While the reconfigurable plush toy 20 is shown with attached eyes 31 and eyebrows 30 the eyes 31 can be removable and secured to the head 22 or other parts of the reconfigurable plush toy 20 with hook portions placed on the back of the eyes 31. While a particular configuration of eyes 31 and eyebrows 30 are shown, other configurations and expressions are contemplated.

The board 70 is shown with a variety of items that can be temporarily joined to the reconfigurable plush toy 20 with a hook surface secured to a portion of the body part. The body parts shown include, but are not limited to antlers 40, 41, ears 50, 51, trunk 60, nose 61 and tail 62. These body parts can be made as a single material color that covers the body part, but the body part can be stripped or spotted to make different types of animals or reconfigurable plush toy 20.

FIG. 2 shows a detailed view of the reconfigurable plush toy with some extremities placed on the reconfigurable plush toy 20. The reconfigurable plush toy 20 is shown in this figure has a torso or body 21 with a head 22 on the body 21. The body 21 has four legs 24, 25, 26 and 23 (not shown) legs permanently sewn or formed with the body. These parts of the reconfigurable plush toy 20 are filled with a plush material and the internal plush material is covered with a loop type material that allows hook type material to adhere to the loop material. The eyes 31 and or eyebrows 32 are essentially permanently bonded to the head 22 but could also be configured as removable, changeable, repositionable items.

The head 22 and body 21 are shown with a number of elements temporarily secured to the reconfigurable plush toy 20. These elements have the appearance of antlers 40, 41, ears 50, 51, a nose 61, a tail 62 and wings 63. These elements are shown, but one skilled in the art can understand that the elements are not limited to the items shown and described. The elements have at least one area with an essentially permanently joined hook material 42 as shown on the antler 41. This area of hook material 42 allows the antler 41 to be positioned anywhere on the body for temporary positioning. A child or user can remove and reposition the element (antler 41) to any portion on the body 21, head 22 or extremity of the reconfigurable plush toy 20. The hook material will also allow the antler to be secured to another element such as the nose 61 because the other elements are also covered with loop type material that will accept securing with the hook material 42.

This figure also shows an internal cavity 29 where body elements such as the antlers 40, 41, ears 50, 51, nose 61, tail 62, trunk and others can be stored within the body of the reconfigurable plush toy 20. The bottom of the feet in this figure does not have any stikkie pads. One or more stikkie pads can be added to the bottom of the feet to allow two reconfigurable plush toys 20 to be connected foot to foot and foot to back.

FIG. 3 shows a front left perspective view of the reconfigurable plush toy on the board, FIG. 4 shows a left perspective view of the reconfigurable plush toy on the board, FIG. 5 shows a right front perspective view of the reconfigurable plush toy on the board, FIG. 6 shows a rear right perspective view of the reconfigurable plush toy on the board, FIG. 7 shows a rear left perspective view of the reconfigurable plush toy on the board and FIG. 8 shows a top view of the reconfigurable plush toy on the board. These figures show the reconfigurable plush toy 20 with the body parts and features that have been previously shown and described. Additions and or exceptions are identified herein.

In FIG. 4 the reconfigurable plush toy 20 shows the two colors of the body. The head 22, back and legs are essentially one color while the chest 80 and the bottom of the foot pads 84 and 86 (other foot pads not identified) are a second color. The use of two different colors or a bi-color provides a contrast to the body and the extremities. Using two different colors allows for differentiation between reconfigurable plush toys 20 for two or more different children that are playing with multiple reconfigurable plush toys 20. The accessories or elements can also be fabricated in different colors or patterns to increase the unique animal varieties. The accessories allow a child to configure a variety of known, unknown and mythical creatures with accessories elements, including, but not limited to, ears, eyes, nose, trunk, tusk, tail, antler and other elements around the reconfigurable plush toy to make different animals.

FIG. 9 shows a top view of the storage and play board. The reconfigurable plush toy 20 is available with a board 70 made or covered from the same fabric as the reconfigurable plush toy 20. While a fairly rigid board is shown it is also contemplated that the board could be plush or a pillow and formed a variety of shapes such as round, rectangular, and other shapes. The board can be placed vertically or horizontally and is used to store not only the reconfigurable plush toy but also the different extremities and elements that can be secured to the reconfigurable plush toy. It is further contemplated that the board can have topography for using said reconfigurable plush toy on and around the topographical features. The topographical features can include, but not be limited to hills, valleys, lakes, stream, rocks, trees coral reefs, buildings, and other structures.

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a stikkie 71. The reconfigurable plush toy 20 to include one or more “stikkie”. The stikkie 71 is a double sided hook material that allows joining of two separate loop material surfaces. The stikkie 71 allows two reconfigurable plush toys 20 to connect together, such as feet to feet or on-top of each other.

Thus, specific embodiments of a reconfigurable plush toy have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A reconfigurable plush toy comprising:

a body;

said body having a plush exterior;

said body having an integrated head;

said body further having four integrated extremities;

further includes at least one flat stikkie pad wherein both opposing sides of said flat stikkie pad are covered with hook surfaces, and

said body being constructed of fabric with an exterior surface of loops that are compatible with hooks.

2. The reconfigurable plush toy according to claim 1 wherein said integrated head further including integrated eyes.

3. The reconfigurable plush toy according to claim 1 wherein said integrated head has changeable eyes.

4. The reconfigurable plush toy according to claim 1 wherein said body is sewn with at least two different colored fabrics.

5. The reconfigurable plush toy according to claim 4 wherein a chest, abdomen and a bottom of said extremities is a different color from the remaining covering of said head, body and extremities.

6. The reconfigurable plush toy according to claim 1 further includes a plurality of accessories with at least one bonded element that temporally secures said accessory to said reconfigurable plush toy.

7. The reconfigurable plush toy according to claim 6 wherein said accessory is selected from the group consisting of an ear, an eye, a nose, a trunk, a tusk, a tail, a wing and an antler.

8. The reconfigurable plush toy according to claim 6 wherein said at least one bonded element has multiple hooks that temporally secures said accessory to said reconfigurable plush toy.

9. The reconfigurable plush toy according to claim 6 wherein said body has at least one internal cavity for storage of at least one of said accessory.

10. The reconfigurable plush toy according to claim 1 further includes a storage and play board is covered on at least one side with a fabric having a surface of loops that are compatible with hooks.

11. The reconfigurable plush toy according to claim 10 wherein said storage and play board is playable in a vertical or a horizontal orientation.

12. The reconfigurable plush toy according to claim 10 wherein said storage and play board is rectangular or round.

13. The reconfigurable plush toy according to claim 10 wherein said storage and play board is plush.

14. (canceled)

15. (canceled)

16. (canceled)

17. The reconfigurable plush toy according to claim 1 wherein said flat stikkie pad connects a first configurable plush toy to a second configurable plush toy.

18. The reconfigurable plush toy according to claim 1 wherein said flat stikkie pad connects a first configurable plush toy to a play board that is covered on at least one side with a fabric having a surface of loops that are compatible with hooks.

19. (canceled)

20. The reconfigurable plush toy according to claim 1 wherein said flat stikkie pad temporarily secures said reconfigurable plush toy to a storage and play board.