Fabric-covered Stuffed Figure Patents (Class 446/369)
  • Publication number: 20030092354
    Abstract: A posable doll has a generally tubular body arranged in a circular shape with a center opening. A pair of legs extend radially outward from the tubular body and each of the legs has a length. A pair of arms extend radially outward from the tubular body and each of the arms has a length. A filler material is stuffed in the tubular body, the arms, and the legs. A wire skeleton extends around the circular shape within the tubular body and extends over a substantial portion of the length through each of the arms and the legs. The wire skeleton is capable of being bent to various positions and of retaining each of the various positions as desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventor: Howard Wexler
  • Publication number: 20030077978
    Abstract: A method of making a stuffed toy and a stuffed toy are disclosed. A method of making a stuffed toy requires forming a fabric skin into a body defining an interior space or cavity and an exterior surface, separated by a surface opening. A fabric sleeve or passageway connects to the surface opening on one end and is provided with a cinchable closure on its other or free end. The cinchable sleeve or passageway facilitates the environmentally-sound filling of the cavity with stuffing. After filling with stuffing, the cinchable end of the sleeve is closed off to form a pocket. The pocket can be used to hold an electronic component or sound chip in an isolated manner from the stuffing. The electronic component and stuffing in the cavity of the toy are sealed from access by a closure mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventor: Marc P. Beige
  • Patent number: 6551166
    Abstract: A heat retaining stuffed doll assembly for providing a heating device that is attractive, safe, and desirable for use by children. The heat retaining stuffed doll assembly includes a heat retaining material enclosed by a casing member, an outer skin enveloping said casing, the outer skin having an appearance of a predetermined form attractive to children.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Inventor: Karla K. Myers
  • Patent number: 6547633
    Abstract: A stuffed toy formed by providing stuffable toy shell having several fabric members fastened together, thereby defining a container which encloses an interior chamber and which has an exterior surface defining a shape of a toy. The container has an opening which extends through the container material, and is in communication with the interior chamber. A drawstring is stitched around the opening such that the drawstring may be tightened to thereby close the opening. After inserting a stuffing material into the interior chamber of the container through the opening, the drawstring is tightened to close the opening and retain the stuffing in the interior chamber of the container. The closed may opening form a puckered seam which resembles a navel, a scar or other characteristic feature in appearance. The method is generically applicable to doll making.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Inventor: Jill A. Haug
  • Publication number: 20030068955
    Abstract: A stuffed, soft body scent-emitting figurine (10) defined by a fabric material (12) and having an internal cavity filled with a stuffing material receives a chamber (16) having a bottom and side walls. A scent material (25) is received in the chamber. A cap (26) defines openings (32) for communicating scent from the chamber (16).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2001
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Inventor: T. Kevin Vick
  • Patent number: 6527617
    Abstract: A method of making a personalized stuffed toy for a purchaser by providing an unstuffed toy and stuffing it through an opening in the presence of a purchaser thereof, thereby to cause the same to assume the shape of the stuffed toy and then delivering the personalized stuffed toy to the purchaser. The resultant stuffed toy has a safety barrier between the stuffing and the closed opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Dan-Dee International, Ltd.
    Inventors: Lee Capozzi, Gary Lee Holcomb
  • Patent number: 6520826
    Abstract: A fragrance dispensing device suitable for incorporation into a plush figure. In one of the preferred embodiments of this invention, the fragrance dispensing device comprises a hollow body in the form of a sphere or a ball having a slit valve or a one-way valve disposed within the wall of the hollow body. A scented cartridge is inserted into the hollow body through the valve or some other resealable opening in the hollow body. In the preferred embodiments of this invention, the fragrance dispensing device is encompassed within an appendage or the head of a stuffed animal figure. Once the hollow is charged with the fragrance cartridge, it can be compressed so as to force a discrete charge of scented air from within the hollow body, into its surrounding core material which make the filler of the stuffed animal figure. The amount of fragrance dispensed from within the hollow body is based, in part, upon the volume of the hollow body and the partial pressure of the fragrance within the cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Inventor: Donald Spector
  • Publication number: 20030027487
    Abstract: A stuffed toy formed by providing stuffable toy shell having several fabric members fastened together, thereby defining a container which encloses an interior chamber and which has an exterior surface defining a shape of a toy. The container has an opening which extends through the container material, and is in communication with the interior chamber. A drawstring is stitched around the opening such that the drawstring may be tightened to thereby close the opening. After inserting a stuffing material into the interior chamber of the container through the opening, the drawstring is tightened to close the opening and retain the stuffing in the interior chamber of the container. The closed may opening form a puckered seam which resembles a navel, a scar or other characteristic feature in appearance. The method is generically applicable to doll making.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventor: Jill A. Haug
  • Patent number: 6511361
    Abstract: A stuffed toy that can be used as a present and whose weight can be freely set to the birth weight of the person presenting it as a gift comprises an outer material in the shape of an animal or the like and a filler material stuffed inside it, wherein the filler material of the stuffed toy, which filler is stuffed inside the outer material that is then sewn together, comprises a heavy material made from stones, steel balls or the like and a light material made from cloth, synthetic resin or the like, and the overall weight of the stuffed toy is freely set to a selected weight between 0.9 kg and 4.5 kg, which is the birth weight of the person giving the gift, by adjusting the relative weights of the filler materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: First Page Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ataru Koike
  • Patent number: 6491565
    Abstract: A personalized doll system includes a picture of the face and upper torso of an individual; and a doll with a head, a neck, a torso, two arms including two hands and two legs including two feet, the head including two eyes, a nose, a mouth and hair, the torso including a dress and an apron, the legs including two shoes including two shoes, each shoe including a base portion and an ankle strap, in an operative orientation a user taking a Polaroid photograph, and fabricating a doll with the characteristics of the individual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Inventor: Marie D. McCullough
  • Patent number: 6488561
    Abstract: A heated stuffed animal is provided for therapeutic use which includes a soft body having an inner cavity and an outer covering, said outer covering having an appearance of a live animal, an electric heating pad disposed within said inner cavity for generating heat, said electric heating pad including an electric power cord projecting outside of said outer covering for connection to an AC electric outlet power supply, means for selecting a temperature of heat generated by said electric heating pad, and a ballast material disposed within said inner cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Inventor: George A. Weiner
  • Publication number: 20020173218
    Abstract: This invention provides a stuffed bladder insert used to substantially fill a cloth doll head. The stuffed bladder insert provides facial expressions and/or contours for the outer fabric skin of the doll head. The use of a stuffed bladder insert in the manufacture of cloth doll heads results in less expensive tooling, fewer manufacturing steps, lower production costs, and provides enhanced flexibility in changing the shape or contour of the outer skin. This invention also provides a method for making a doll head which has the softness of a stuffed cloth doll head but which also has the contour and facial expressions of a molded doll head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventor: Tai Woon Shing
  • Publication number: 20020168919
    Abstract: A plush toy has a hidden prize. The plush toy has an outer skin defining an interior volume, with a filler material filling the interior volume. An opening is provided in the outer skin for access to the interior volume. The prize is disposed in the interior volume and a closure closes the opening in the outer skin such that access to the prize requires alteration of the closure or of the outer skin. A kit includes components for retaining and storing a keepsake in the interior of a plush toy and a method allows the retention and storing of a keepsake in the interior volume of the plush toy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Perkins
  • Patent number: 6464556
    Abstract: A pedagogical doll having a body portion in the form of a letter of the alphabet and including a front portion and a back portion, a pair of legs depending flexibly from the body portion, each leg of the pair of legs including a foot portion extending from the leg, a sole surface formed on the bottom of the foot, and a letter of the alphabet formed on the sole surface; wherein each of the legs is movable from at least a forward facing position such that the sole surface is substantially parallel to a front surface of the body portion, to a rearward facing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Inventor: Michael A. Kohn
  • Patent number: 6454627
    Abstract: A child's portable toy having an audio signal producer is provided with a plurality of pressure switches designating different tones of a fixed interval scale. When one of the pressure switches is depressed, the sound of a corresponding tone is produced through a speaker provided in the toy so that a child may play a melody thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Well Creation Limited
    Inventor: Danny Wai Keung Mak
  • Publication number: 20020129845
    Abstract: A decorative crutch pad cover and a kit for decorating a crutch. This decorative crutch pad cover is designed to fit over a crutch pad situated in a top region of a crutch. There may also be a matching crutch hand pad cover that is designed to cover a crutch hand pad. Both the crutch pad cover and the crutch hand pad cover have a fastener for fastening the crutch pad cover and the crutch hand pad cover over pads on the crutch. There is also a method for decorating a crutch using a crutch pad cover and a crutch pad hand cover. The crutch pad cover is wrapped around a crutch pad and fastened to that crutch pad while the crutch pad hand cover is wrapped around the crutch hand pad and fastened to that crutch hand pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Inventor: Susan Silverstein
  • Publication number: 20020119728
    Abstract: A method for creating a plush toy having a pre-stitched open seam is disclosed. The method includes pre-stitching an open seam of an outer covering of the plush toy with a drawstring. The pre-stitching is formed in such a manner so as to be loose, enabling fill material to be added into the outer covering there through. The pre-stitching step can include forming a straight-across stitch using a single drawstring, or a crisscross stitch using two drawstrings. The drawstring has a free end extending from an end of the open seam which can be pulled after the plush toy is filled to close the open seam. One or more knots are formed in the drawstring adjacent to the outer covering as a final step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Inventors: Stanley M. Block, Annette N. Block
  • Patent number: 6439946
    Abstract: A new and improved children's toy is disclosed having an internal cavity where valuables and the like may be stored. The cavity is easily and repeatedly accessible without damaging the toy. A container is provided for placing the valuables in, and then placing the container into the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Inventor: Joanne Schneider
  • Patent number: 6439947
    Abstract: A system and method for providing a visible marker when at least two objects are combined. The visible marker may be any desired marking but, in the preferred embodiment, is a heart-shape. The two objects may be two-dimensional, such as cards, or three-dimensional, such as toys or household items. The creation of the visible marker by bringing two objects into proximity can show common origin and manufacture and, where a heart-shape is used, can send positive social and moral messages of love and togetherness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Inventor: Tali Lehavi
  • Patent number: 6435937
    Abstract: The toy figure has at least two force sensors. The total force applied to all the sensors by a person is measured by a force measuring device. One or more force measuring device output signals are sent to a data bus. Data bus signals are sent to a microcontroller. The microcontroller identifies a message group based on the maximum force signal received from the data bus and filters out data bus outputs that result from secondary force measuring device signals. The microcontroller sends a message group identification signal to the information storage device. The storage device broadcasts one of a plurality of messages from the message group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Inventor: Michael A. Naegele
  • Patent number: 6434769
    Abstract: A dual purpose plush, toy characters is used as both a sleep enhancer toy and headrest pillow. The combined plush character headrest pillow includes a pouch with manually movable recreational members, such as storybooks or puppets, inserted therein to help a young child fall asleep comfortably. The plush character toy may also be an elongate amphibian type of animal, such as a lizard or worm, wherein a concave spinal portion of the animal is an orthopedically correct pillow headrest. Puppets may be provided within a hollow portion within the plush character toy, so that after the pillow portion is pivoted down, a further puppet stage set with a pop up type landscape or fantasy scene is erected by spring action upon a base portion of the puppet stage set. Thereafter, the child can insert his or her hand within an open proximal end of an attached sleeve portion, wherein at a distal end thereof there are provided the puppet portion, such as a plurality of finger puppets or a single hand puppet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Inventor: Eric Koenig
  • Publication number: 20020111114
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a baby doll gift set comprised of component gift items which, when assembled, are sized and shaped so as to resemble a human infant. A baby doll gift assembly comprises essential component items of this set. Flexible, elongate, cylindrically shaped gift items are transversely inserted through a centralized elastic fabric sleeve to simulate infant appendages. At least one gift item sized and shaped so as to resemble an infant torso is longitudinally sandwiched between the cylindrically shaped gift items inside the elastic fabric sleeve to simulate an infant torso. A spherically shaped gift item is inserted spatially superior to the arm-simulative gift item to simulate an infant head. The resulting baby doll gift assembly may then be further accessorized as desired to complete the baby doll gift set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Inventors: Beth G. Horsfall, Walter S. Horsfall
  • Patent number: 6427267
    Abstract: A blanket and stuffed toy combination including a blanket having a front and back side, a first and second end, and a stuffed toy having a first portion affixed to the first end of the blanket, a second half affixed to the second end of the blanket and a rear portion affixed to the back of the blanket. In an alternative embodiment, the first and second portions of the stuffed animal define first and second interior chambers. When folded, portions of the blanket can be received into the first and second interior chambers such that the invention substantially resembles a complete stuffed animal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Inventor: Lori Turner
  • Publication number: 20020102909
    Abstract: A cloth shape for children comprising a core, a flexible cloth housing, at least one pocket in the housing and the core, at least one object that can be placed inside the pocket of the cloth shape, and a string connecting the at least one object with the cloth shape. A bell may be inserted within the housing of the cloth shape. The cloth shape may resemble a ball, a cube or a pyramid. The soft object may be a stuffed animal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2001
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Inventors: William Derraugh, Michael Morris
  • Patent number: 6425795
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a baby doll gift set comprised of component gift items which, when assembled, are sized and shaped so as to resemble a human infant. A baby doll gift assembly comprises essential component items of this set. Flexible, elongate, cylindrically shaped gift items are transversely inserted through a centralized elastic fabric sleeve to simulate infant appendages. At least one gift item sized and shaped so as to resemble an infant torso is longitudinally sandwiched between the cylindrically shaped gift items inside the elastic fabric sleeve to simulate an infant torso. A spherically shaped gift item is inserted spatially superior to the arm-simulative gift item to simulate an infant head. The resulting baby doll gift assembly may then be further accessorized as desired to complete the baby doll gift set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Inventors: Beth G. Horsfall, Walter S. Horsfall
  • Publication number: 20020081940
    Abstract: A stuffed doll attachment and detachment system is disclosed, where doll parts are configured so that certain doll parts are complementary to each other and/or to other objects. In a preferred embodiment, the limbs or torso of a doll are modified to become complementary ball or socket elements. These ball and socket elements are implemented in soft, pliant material, and, when engaged, form reliable connections between dolls or between a doll and another object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventor: Dana Michele Schiavo
  • Patent number: 6409511
    Abstract: An educational toy for teaching a child a sequence of letters, numbers, colors or other sequences. The toy would be provided with a plurality of segmented body portions, each of the body portions associated with a single indicia. A switch is provided on each of the segmented body portions. When this switch is depressed, an audio output associated with the indicia would be produced. After the child has memorized a series of indicia to produce a learned sequence, a switch associated with a segmented body portion having demarcation indicia would be depressed, allowing the entire sequence to be vocalized in order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Mary Ann Cogliano
  • Patent number: 6390879
    Abstract: A figurative flying disc toy constituted by an inverted plastic dish having a convex annular rim and soft appendages attached thereto to impart to the toy the form of a humanoid figure. Each appendage is composed of a fabric pouch stuffed with compressible material, the pouch being shaped and printed to simulate in one appendage the head of the figure and in the other appendages, the arms and legs thereof. The appendages can also be hinged to the flying disc toy or be attached to a stretchable fabric cover which fits over the flying disc. To launch the toy, a player grasps one of the appendages which then serves as a handle, and with a flick of the wrist to cause the disc to whirl, the disc is hurled into the air and let fly. The centrifugal forces produced in the flight by the whirling disc causes the hinged appendages to extend outwardly to stabilize the flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Inventor: Donald Spector
  • Patent number: 6371826
    Abstract: A plush toy animal figure defines a shape corresponding to a fanciful four-legged animal having a pair of elongated ears and a large head and nose. A movement mechanism supported within the plush animal figure includes a battery-powered motor drive and gear apparatus which is operatively coupled to a pair of elongated rigid ear paddles within each of the figures ears. A third paddle is supported within the head and nose of the figure and is operatively coupled to the gear drive. A pair of cams are moved by the drive mechanism and are used to actuate a pair of reversing switches. The reversing switches produce a reversal of drive motor direction each time they are actuated. The cams are positioned such that they alternate the actuation of their respective reversing switches. As a result, the motor is reversed when the ears and nose of the figure reach their upper and lower points of pivotal movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Danny Pestonji
  • Patent number: 6361395
    Abstract: A new toy for young children incorporating a coil feature is disclosed. A coil preferably an expansion spring, is covered with a sleeve. A head is then affixed to the coil, either directly or to the sleeve as an intermediary, forming the toy. The sleeve may also be extended past the end of the coil, forming a soft tail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Meyer/Glass Design, Ltd.
    Inventor: Elizabeth Pacza
  • Publication number: 20020034920
    Abstract: A cold/hot pack stuffed toy for providing cooling/heating to a user. The cold/hot pack stuffed toy includes a body member having a stuffed interior and an outer layer configured to resemble a predetermined figure. A cold/hot pack sleeve for providing cooling/heating when a cold/hot pack is inserted into the sleeve. The cold/hot pack sleeve is a moisture resistant material inside the cavity of the body attached to the lower portion of said body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Inventor: Steven G. Coyle
  • Publication number: 20020028627
    Abstract: A heated stuffed animal is provided for therapeutic use which includes a soft body having an inner cavity and an outer covering, said outer covering having an appearance of a live animal, an electric heating pad disposed within said inner cavity for generating heat, said electric heating pad including an electric power cord projecting outside of said outer covering for connection to an AC electric outlet power supply, means for selecting a temperature of heat generated by said electric heating pad, and a ballast material disposed within said inner cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Inventor: George A. Weiner
  • Publication number: 20020009948
    Abstract: A method and apparatus that allows a patron to customize and manufacture their own bean bag style stuffed toy. The stuffed toy generally includes a soft stuffed body and head that is generally filled with polyester. The arms and legs of the stuffed animal toy are then filled with a heavier, more rigid “bean” type mix. The mix includes colorful glitter in various shapes and colors. The apparatus supplies the bean mix to the stuffed animal toy and is operated by the patron. The apparatus includes a viewing chamber that swirls the bean mix and glitter thereby providing colorful entertainment while the patron is filling their stuffed toy with the bean mix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Inventor: Eric Woods
  • Patent number: 6325695
    Abstract: A heated stuffed animal is provided for therapeutic use which includes a soft body having an inner cavity and an outer covering, said outer covering having an appearance of a live animal, an electric heating pad disposed within said inner cavity for generating heat, said electric heating pad including an electric power cord projecting outside of said outer covering for connection to an AC electric outlet power supply, means for selecting a temperature of heat generated by said electric heating pad, and a ballast material disposed within said inner cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Inventor: George A. Weiner
  • Publication number: 20010046830
    Abstract: A convertible multi character doll having means to change from a first character to a plurality of alternate characters by the addition of interchangeable fitted coverings onto which alternative characters have been sewn, painted, silk-screened or otherwise attached. The doll in its original form has a humanoid appearance with stylized internal organs and skeletal features represented thereon, providing one character. This character lacks any of the identifiable external characteristics such as a human would have, including: skin, hair or clothing. The doll, in its original form therefore lacks any human personality characteristics. Alternative coverings, which may be added to the doll, portray different characters with characteristics of sex, race, religion, nationality and personality. These coverings are added by slipping on a fitted covering with a dorsal opening and fastening the closure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Publication date: November 29, 2001
    Inventor: Timothy David Bellavia
  • Publication number: 20010046828
    Abstract: A doll is described which is soft and pliable for safe use as a toy by children which provides inter alia a closeable compartment within the body of the doll for the storage of accessories and clothing associated with the doll.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Publication date: November 29, 2001
    Inventor: Michele M. Morris
  • Publication number: 20010024926
    Abstract: A stuffed toy that can be used as a present and whose weight can be freely set to the birth weight of the person presenting it as a gift comprises an outer material in the shape of an animal or the like and a filler material stuffed inside it, wherein the filler material of the stuffed toy, which filler is stuffed inside the outer material that is then sewn together, comprises a heavy material made from stones, steel balls or the like and a light material made from cloth, synthetic resin or the like, and the overall weight of the stuffed toy is freely set to a selected weight between 0.9 kg and 4.5 kg, which is the birth weight of the person giving the gift, by adjusting the relative weights of the filler materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Publication date: September 27, 2001
    Applicant: FIRST PAGE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ataru Koike
  • Patent number: 6280283
    Abstract: A doll kit comprises a body having a torso and a head, body covered with material that releasably holds hook fastening material. Facial features, body features, clothes and accessories having mounting surfaces covered, at least in part, with hook fastening material, that releasable holds the fastening material and are operable to be attached to the body. A display member formed of material that releasably holds hook fastening material receives the facial features, body features clothes and accessories for storing and displaying the facial features, complete faces, body features, clothes and accessories when they are not attached to the body. The body includes either two arms and two legs or four legs (or fantasy-like appendages), is three-dimensional and is stuffed with a soft stuffing material. The doll kit may resemble a humanoid or an animal figure, insect figure, fantasy creature, prehistoric creature or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Inventor: Constance R. Sisler
  • Patent number: 6264521
    Abstract: An interactive toy utilizing a figure having an outer surface and an inner cavity. A wall portion separates the inner chamber and outer surface and includes at least a pair of orifices. The video camera is located at one of the orifices through the wall portion of the figure and possesses an image capturing lens. The video signal is generated, which may represent a moving or still image. The video monitor is also located at the exterior surface of the figure in spaced relationship with the camera monitor revealed the video image to the person in the vicinity of the doll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Inventor: José M. Hernández
  • Patent number: 6264526
    Abstract: A resilient covering houses an air filled coiled flexible stuffing material maintaining the shape of the covering in the form of a stuffed toy. Applying a force to the stuffed toy distorts the shape of the stuffing material changing the air content to change the shape of the stuffed toy. Releasing the force permits the stuffing material to resume its original shape and air content, restoring the shape of the stuffed toy. An elongated insert, normally coiled and straightenable by snapping the ends, is inserted in one embodiment for a roll-up stuffed toy which can be snapped into a rigid straight configuration. Another embodiment with an elasticized covering enables the stuffed toy to be stretched. Mating hook and loop fasteners at the extremities enable the stuffed toy to be stretched around objects and secured in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Inventor: Donald W. Meeker
  • Patent number: 6261149
    Abstract: A reversible doll toy for amusing children and adults with a transformative toy that resembles a child and a muffin. The reversible doll toy includes a soft doll comprising a first covering including a first surface that includes an appearance of an exterior of a muffin and a second covering that includes a second surface with an appearance representative of an exterior of a child. The first covering is secured to the second covering such that the first and second surfaces form opposite first and second sides of a panel comprised of first and second coverings. The panel is invertable such that the sides are alternately exposed to view and hidden from view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Inventor: Shane A. Moore
  • Patent number: 6247934
    Abstract: An educational toy for teaching a child a sequence of letters, numbers, colors or other sequences. The toy would be provided with a plurality of segmented body portions, each of the body portions associated with a single indicia. A switch is provided on each of the segmented body portions. When this switch is depressed, an audio output associated with the indicia would be produced. After the child has memorized a series of indicia to produce a learned sequence, a switch associated with a segmented body portion having demarcation indicia would be depressed, allowing the entire sequence to be vocalized in order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Inventor: Mary Ann Cogliano
  • Patent number: 6247730
    Abstract: A book has two covers and a set of book pages contained between the covers. The covers close to form a shape which has an external appearance resembling the head of a creature, with two eyes and a mouth. The two covers are joined to one another along a minor portion of the circumference, and are connected along the remaining portion of the said circumference by a releasable fastener such as a zip such that the fastener (the zip) forms the mouth. The pages of the book can be accessed by releasing the fastener and hinging open the two covers about the minor portion of the circumference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Top That Publishing plc
    Inventors: Barrie John Henderson, Simon Peter Couchman
  • Patent number: 6234863
    Abstract: An amusement device is disclosed which includes a body structure configured to resemble a living being (e.g. a bear) which is engaging in a specific sporting activity (e.g. the sport of basketball). The amusement device further includes a paraphernalia item associated with the specific sporting activity supported by the body structure. Additionally, the amusement device includes a belly member supported by the body structure at an abdominal area of the body structure so as to simulate an extended belly of the living being. The belly member is configured to be at least a partial facsimile of the paraphernalia item. Alternatively, the belly member may be configured to resemble at least a portion of a second paraphernalia item associated with the specific sporting activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Rainbow Studies, Inc.
    Inventors: Billy F. Hughey, Nathan T. Simonton
  • Patent number: 6193577
    Abstract: An alternative medicine elements package in which a soft sculpture doll having a body portion and at least two arm-like appendages attached to the body portion includes a magnet in each of the arm-like appendages and a copper strip that extends through the body portion and into each of the arm-like appendages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Inventor: Mira S. Kaplan
  • Patent number: 6193579
    Abstract: A toy in the form of a doll includes an associated radio within an interior cavity of the doll body, which radio is controlled by various switches located on the feet of the doll and utilized for turning the radio on and off and tuning the radio to a desired frequency. The doll includes a simulated headset attached in such fashion to its head so as to provide a strap for conveniently carrying the doll from place-to-place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Well Creation Limited
    Inventor: Danny Wai Keung Mak
  • Patent number: 6165037
    Abstract: A toy, preferably a plush toy, includes a main body and an electroluminescent display panel arranged on and forming a surface portion of the main body. When the plush toy is a toy pony, the electroluminescent display panel is placed, for example, on the blaze on the pony's face. The power source is arranged within the main body and a first ON switch is placed within one front hoof of the pony while a second OFF switch is placed within the other front hoof of the pony. The hooves are soft and deformable so that they can be compressed when squeezed to selectively actuate one of the switches. In this way, application of power to the electroluminescent panel by squeezing of the ON hoof energizes the panel and causes it to generate illumination in the region of the toy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: WildHeart Ranch, Inc.
    Inventor: Dawn L. Van Zant
  • Patent number: 6165035
    Abstract: An exterior covering for various types of medical equipment is disclosed to reduce some of the intimidation created by medical equipment. The interior of the covering is configured to receive the medical equipment while the exterior is shaped to portray an object, such as an animal, plant, vehicle, building, etc., and can include a removable figure. The cover has recesses and channels, such as a lens viewing channel, corresponding to the specific equipment to permit unobstructed use of the equipment. The covering can include a filling to provide a three dimensional sculpted appearance to the object. The covering encompasses at least a portion of the medical equipment and, where necessary, has a method to secure the cover. When manufactured in multiple pieces, the cover can have a bottom portion containing a receiving sleeve that is dimensioned to receive the base of the equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Inventor: David B. Avner
  • Patent number: 6153311
    Abstract: A soft sculpted article includes a first substantially flat surface and a soft sculpted face affixed to the first substantially flat surface. The face includes at least a muzzle portion extending outwardly of the first substantially flat surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Hallmark Cards Incorporated
    Inventors: Bradley W. Springer, Ruth M. Donikowski, Anne L. Thurlow
  • Patent number: 6142846
    Abstract: A stuffed animal toy has a plush, padded body and one or more elongated appendages, such as arms, legs and tail. At least one flashlight module is resident within the appendage oriented to permit a directional beam of light to be emitted outwardly from the appendage. The flashlight module can be activated and deactivated by grasping the appendage and squeezing radially inward in repetition to turn the light on and off. The flashlight module is a self-sufficient battery powered, usually low voltage, direct current lighting unit. In one aspect, the flashlight module can be easily and quickly removed from the stuffed animal and utilized as a normal flashlight, independent of the stuffed animal. After such use, the module can be replaced into the appendage of the stuffed animal. While the module is removed, the stuffed animal can be utilized as a normal, plush toy plaything.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Inventor: Linda Ojakaar