REVERSIBLE TOY
A reversible toy comprising a first figure and a second figure, each figure comprising a hollow body portion with a upper portion and a base portion and each figure having a conically shaped hollow and a shared base portion. The toy is reversible between a first position and a second position by turning it inside out via the shared base portion such that one of the figures is substantially concealed when the other is visible.
The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62/012,553, filed Jun. 16, 2014 entitled REVERSIBLE PLUSH TOY; 62/060,146, filed Oct. 6, 2014, entitled REVERSIBLE PLUSH TOY GRAB RING, the entirety each of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
COPYRIGHT NOTICEA portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrights whatsoever.
SUMMARYAccording to embodiments, disclosed is a toy comprising a first figure configured to form part of a reversible toy, the figure comprising a substantially hollow body portion with an upper portion and a base portion, the hollow including a substantially conical shape, such that the upper portion is narrower than the base, and a fastener on a base perimeter of the base portion configured to fasten the figure to a base portion of a second figure to form the reversible toy.
In embodiments, the second figure comprises a second substantially hollow body portion with a second upper portion and a second base portion, the hollow of the second figure including a substantially conical shape, such that the second upper portion is narrower than the second base portion.
In embodiments, in a first position, the upper portion and the body portion of the first figure is configured to collapse and fit inside the hollow of the body portion of the second figure such that the first figure is substantially concealed while the second figure is visible; in a second position, the upper portion and body portion of the second figure is configured to collapse and fit inside the hollow of the body portion of the first figure such that the second figure is substantially concealed while the first figure is visible; the toy being reversible between first position and second position by turning it inside out via the shared base portion.
In embodiments, the fastener on the base perimeter includes one or more of stitching, snaps, magnets, or hook and loop connectors. In embodiments, the fastener is configured to detachably fasten the base of the first figure to the base of the second figure. In other embodiments, the fastener is configured to permanently fasten the base of the first figure to the base of the second figure.
In embodiments, a figure comprises appendages, facial feature elements, or other attachments. In embodiments, a figure comprises an inner lining. In embodiments, a figure comprises a grab ring.
In embodiments, the first figure and the second figure are different dimensions. In embodiments, the first and second figures are interchangeable with one or more other figures.
Embodiments are illustrated in the figures of the accompanying drawings, which are meant to be exemplary and not limiting, and in which like references are intended to refer to like or corresponding things.
Various embodiments now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and which show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments by which the invention may be practiced. The embodiments may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the embodiments to those skilled in the art. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
Throughout the specification and claims, the following terms take the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term “herein” refers to the specification, claims, and drawings associated with the current application. The phrase “in one embodiment” as used herein does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, though it may. Furthermore, the phrase “in another embodiment” as used herein does not necessarily refer to a different embodiment, although it may. Thus, as described below, various embodiments of the invention may be readily combined, without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.
In addition, as used herein, the term “or” is an inclusive “or” operator, and is equivalent to the term “and/or,” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term “based on” is not exclusive and allows for being based on additional factors not described, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In addition, throughout the specification, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references. The meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on.”
It is noted that in this disclosure and particularly in the claims and/or paragraphs, terms such as “comprises,” “comprised,” “comprising,” and the like can have the meaning attributed to them in U.S. patent law; that is, they can mean “includes,” “included,” “including,” “including, but not limited to” and the like, and allow for elements not explicitly recited. Terms such as “consisting essentially of” and “consists essentially of” have the meaning ascribed to them in U.S. patent law; that is, they allow for elements not explicitly recited, but exclude elements that are found in the prior art or that affect a basic or novel characteristic of the invention. These and other embodiments are disclosed or are apparent from and encompassed by, the following description.
The use of the terms “a,” “an,” “at least one,” “one or more,” and similar terms indicate one of a feature or element as well as more than one of a feature. The use of the term “the” to refer to the feature does not imply only one of the feature and element.
When an ordinal number (such as “first,” “second,” “third,” and so on) is used as an adjective before a term, that ordinal number is used (unless expressly or clearly specified otherwise) merely to indicate a particular feature, such as to distinguish that particular feature from another feature that is described by the same term or by a similar term.
Similarly, while the reference characters A and B are used in the description to refer to elements of embodiments, they are used for convenience for the purpose of providing a clear description of the embodiments. They are not intended to require any kind of order or sequence of operations, and are entirely interchangeable.
Referring now to the figures,
The embodiments shown in the figures depict the inner figure entirely contained within the outer figure. However, some embodiments can be configured to comprise elements of the inner figure that are not entirely contained within the outer figure without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.
The double-conical form is configured such that one
In embodiments, the double-conical toy can be configured such that the two figures are of different sizes or lengths. For those embodiments, when the bases 20 of the two figures are attached together, the double-cone is configured such that the toy is still reversible, unaffected by differing lengths of the two figures. This allows for a multitude of figure pair configurations, such as mother and baby, different animals, wizard and warrior, robot and human, robot and robot, human and superhuman, human and monster, captain and spaceship, and indeed, pairings limited only by the imagination.
Connection via the base 20 in the double-conical form also allows for great variation in the two figures used, as there are minimal restrictions on the characteristics or addition of features incorporated into each shape. For example, as each figure can be constructed independently of the other, the figures need not share common construction materials, such as common seams (or only seaming at the base). Features can comprise feet, tails, appendages, nacelles, accessories, or other details. In an embodiment, the base perimeter dimensions of the two figures are substantially the same, but the size and features of each individual figure can vary without impairing the reversibility aspect of the toy.
For example,
Additionally, in embodiments, the double-conical form provides structural support to the toy. When the toy is positioned such that only one figure is exposed, the larger dimension of the base relative to the top of the outer figure helps prevent the toy from collapsing or tipping.
In embodiments, one or both figures comprise a head, optionally filled with stuffing, positioned at the top of the figure. With insufficient support, the body of the figure would tend to collapse under the size and weight of the head. However, the double-conical shape of the toy makes it possible for the toy to remain positioned upright on its base, with a head securely balanced at the top, without collapsing. In this way, the top of the figure can be distributed over a larger base area. Similarly, the larger base dimension compared to the top of the figure helps to prevent the toy from tipping or becoming unbalanced.
In an embodiment, the difference in dimensions between the base 20 and the upper portion 18 of each figure need not be great in order for the intended function of the double-conical form to be achieved. In addition, embodiments need not have a conical appearance in final form, even though the interior space of the body 16 is substantially conical. For example, stuffing, appendages, or additional character features may obscure a toy's outer conical appearance, while retaining a double-conical shape in the interior of the toy 10 in order to preserve the reversibility of the toy 10 as described herein.
As shown in
The embodiment is shown using snaps 24, but detachable connectors of any kind and number can be used. For example, in an embodiment, hook and loop connectors can be used to connect the two figures. In another embodiment, magnets can be used to connect the two figures.
A method of manufacture of a reversible toy is as follows. A pattern for a first figure is provided, for example.
For example, as indicated in
-
- At Block 201: P1 [Chin-2 pcs]: Stitch together
- At Block 202: P1-Dc to P3 [Sideface]-Dc
- At Block 203: P2 [Trunk]-Dc to P3-Dc, Continue stitching to P3-Ea
- At Block 204: P4 [Ears-4 pcs]: Stitch together
- At Block 205: P4-Eb to P3-Eb, Continue stitching to P3-Ec
- At Block 206: P5 [Hair]-Ee to P3-Ee
- At Block 207: P6 [Backhead]-Ed to P3-Ed, Continue stitching to P3-Ec
- At Block 208: P9 [Left front leg]-Ba to P8 [Front body]-Ba_left
- At Block 209: P7 [Back leg]-Bb_left to P8-Bb_left
- At Block 210: P10 [Backbody]-Ab to P8-Ab, Continue stitching to P8-Bd
- At Block 211: P11 [Nail - 4pcs]-Ca_left to P9-Ca, Continue stitching to P10-Ca [Front leg]
- At Block 212: P12 [Boot-4 pcs]-Cb_left to P9-Cb, Continue stitching to P11-Cc_left, Continue stitching to Cc_right, Continue stitching to P10-Cb, Continue stitching to P10 & P8-Aa, Continue stitching to P7-Bc & P10-Bc.
- At Block 213: Left backleg stitching: REPEAT Block 211.
- At Block 214: P12-Cb_left to P10-Cb, Continue stitching to P8Ac & P10-Ac
- At Block 215: REPEAT from Block 210 to Block 214 on the right side.
- At Block 216: REPEAT Block 203 to Block 207 for right head.
- At Block 217: Stitch right head and left together.
- At Block 218: P6-Da to P10-Da, Continue stitching to P3-Db, Continue stitching to right side.
- At Block 219: Eye fixing
- At Block 220: P15 [Cotton]: attach around the head and body attachment.
- At Block 221: P3 [Tail]-Ca to P14-Ca, Fold, stitch and reverse.
- At Block 222: P13-Cb to P10-Cb
- As indicated in
FIG. 15B , instructions continue as follows: - At Block 301: P1 [Horn]-Ac to P2 [Face]-Ac
- At Block 302: P3 [Ear-4 pcs]: Stitch together, P3-Ad to P2-Ad
- At Block 303: P4 [Backhead]-Aa to P2-Aa
- At Block 304: P5 [Neck] to P2-Ab
- At Block 305: REPEAT Block 301-304 for opposite side.
- At Block 306: REPEAT elephant stitching from Block 208-Block 214.
- At Block 307: P4-Da to P10-Da, Continue stitching to P2-A*P10-A*, Continue stitching to P5-Db & P8-Db, Continue stitching to the right side.
- At Block 308: REPEAT Block 220 of elephant stitching.
- At Block 309: Stitch together elephant and rhino bottom part.
Once the two figures are assembled, they are connected at their bases. Optionally, there can be one or more layers of padding or cushioning incorporated into the figures. For example, a head element can contain stuffing.
In embodiments, a reversible toy 10 comprises one or more of fabric, fiber and plastic materials. Eyes, nose, mouth, and other features and attachments can be optionally attached to the figures. Any sharp edges of attachments can be melted and/or blunted to make them safer and more secure. In embodiments, the majority of machine stitching is performed on the backside of the fabric such that the stitches will not be visible on the finished product. Once machine stitching is complete, the toy is turned right-side-out through an unstitched portion of the fabric. The unstitched portion is then closed by hand stitching. If desired, additional sewing is performed in order to bring out the desired expression of the toy by pulling and tethering the fabric. Some embodiments comprise additional markings, such as stripes or spots, which are painted on the toy. The toy can further be wire-brushed on the seams, and air-brushed to remove extraneous fibers. As will be appreciated, any stitching can be by machine stitching or hand stitching.
The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the invention may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. Furthermore, no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown, other than as described in the claims below. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the invention. Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described in detail herein, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.
Claims
1. A toy comprising:
- a first figure configured to form part of a reversible toy, the figure comprising:
- a substantially hollow body portion with an upper portion and a base portion, the hollow including a substantially conical shape, such that the upper portion is narrower than the base, and
- a fastener on a base perimeter of the the base portion configured to fasten the figure to a base portion of a second figure to form the reversible toy.
2. The toy of claim 1, wherein the second figure configured to form part of a reversible toy comprises:
- a second substantially hollow body portion with a second upper portion and a second base portion,
- the hollow of the second figure including a substantially conical shape, such that the second upper portion is narrower than the second base portion.
3. The toy of claim 2, wherein:
- in a first position the upper portion and the body portion of the first figure is configured to collapse and fit inside the hollow of the body portion of the second figure such that the first figure is substantially concealed while the second figure is visible;
- in a second position the upper portion and body portion of the second figure is configured to collapse and fit inside the hollow of the body portion of the first figure such that the second figure is substantially concealed while the first figure is visible,
- the toy being reversible between first position and second position by turning it inside out via the shared base portion.
4. The toy of claim 1, wherein the fastener on the base perimeter of the first figure includes one or more of stitching, snaps, magnets, or hook and loop connectors.
5. The toy of claim 1, wherein the first figure comprises appendages, facial feature elements, or other attachments.
6. The toy of claim 1, wherein the first figure comprises an inner lining.
7. The toy of claim 1, the first figure further comprising a stiffener disposed along at least part of the base portion.
8. The toy of claim 7, wherein the stiffener comprises a grab ring.
9. The toy of claim 1, wherein the fastener is configured to detachably fasten the base of the first figure to the base of the second figure.
10. The reversible toy claim 9, wherein the first figure is interchangeable with one or more other figures.
11. The toy of claim 1, wherein the first figure comprises a head portion at the end of the upper portion, and the head portion includes a stuffing material.
12. A reversible toy comprising:
- a first figure and a second figure, each figure comprising a hollow body portion with a upper portion and a base portion,
- the hollow of each figure having a conical shape, such that the upper portion is narrower than the base portion;
- the base portion of the first figure being attached to the base of the second figure to form a shared base portion.
13. The toy of claim 12, wherein:
- in a first position the upper portion and the body portion of the first figure is configured to collapse and fit inside the hollow of the body portion of the second figure such that the first figure is substantially concealed while the second figure is visible;
- in a second position the upper portion and body portion of the second figure is configured to collapse and fit inside the hollow of the body portion of the first figure such that the second figure is substantially concealed while the first figure is visible,
- the toy being reversible between first position and second position by turning it inside out via the shared base portion.
14. The toy of claim 12, wherein at least one figure comprises appendages, facial feature elements, or other attachments.
15. The toy of claim 12, wherein at least one figure comprises an inner lining.
16. The toy of claim 12, further comprising a stiffener disposed along at least part of the shared base portion.
17. The toy of claim 12, wherein the base of the first figure is detachable from the base of the second figure.
18. The reversible toy claim 17, wherein the first and second figures are interchangeable with one or more other figures.
19. The toy of claim 12, wherein at least one figure comprises a head portion at the end of the upper portion, arid the head portion includes a stuffing material.
20. The toy of claim 12 wherein the first and second figures are different dimensions.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 12, 2015
Publication Date: May 18, 2017
Inventors: Sini Aikkattukuzhi Narayanan (Kerala), Patrick S. Baran (Lakewood, OH), Joseph Michael Onderko (Copley, OH), Zhao Zhong Sun (Bengbu Anhui)
Application Number: 15/319,184