Amusement devices: toys – Figure toy or accessory therefor – Fabric-covered stuffed figure
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-14
2001-07-24
Ricci, John A. (Department: 3712)
Amusement devices: toys
Figure toy or accessory therefor
Fabric-covered stuffed figure
C446S385000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06264526
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to stuffed animal figures, and in particular to stuffed animal figures having a stuffing material enabling their shape to be transformed in various ways.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Stuffed animal figures are very popular among children and adults as playthings and as collectibles. Their soft physical cuddly quality and generally cute, humorous, friendly or other appealing appearance bring enjoyment and comfort to their owners.
Most prior art stuffed animal figures are stuffed full with various types of stuffing inside an outer material which retains the stuffing and defines the outer appearance, while the inside stuffing maintains the figures in a particular shape. While the components of the figures are generally movable they are not transformable in shape to any great extent.
Most prior art stuffed animal figures occupy a definite volume due to the amount of stuffing inside, which volume may not be altered to any great extent. The figures, therefore, occupy a certain amount of space and require that amount of space for using or storing the figures.
Most prior art stuffed animal figures cannot be compressed into a smaller shape occupying less space, nor can they be stretched to be greater in length, nor can they be formed into other shapes having a play value.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a stuffed animal figure with a highly resilient stuffing material having a significant volume of air within resilient stuffing fibers to enable the stuffing material to fill out the desired normal shape of the figure and maintain a soft cuddly figure, but be sufficiently transformable to enable the reshaping the figure in various desired ways having play value, and then resiliently resuming the normal shape.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a stuffed animal figure with a highly resilient compressible stuffing material having a significant volume of air within resilient stuffing fibers to enable the figure to be compressed flat or compressed in various ways to reduce the volume of the figure sufficiently to enable the figure to be stuffed into a pocket or purse or other confined space and then resiliently assume its original soft cuddly shape upon release.
One more object of the present invention is to provide a stuffed animal figure with the above described stuffing material and further provide a highly elasticized outer material housing the stuffed material and forming the outer surface of the figure with the outer material stitched together with highly elasticized thread or glue or other stretchable material, enabling the figure to be stretched, by pulling or by other means to create tension, significantly longer, to two, three, or more times its original length, and twisted, stretched around objects, or otherwise transformed in shape, thus enhancing its play value, and then resiliently return to its original shape upon release of the tension force.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide a stuffed animal figure having the above described stuffing with an additional internal elongated strip, formed of thin resilient metal or plastic or other resilient material having a “memory” for assuming a rolled up configuration, but capable of being straightened out and fixed in a rigid straight configuration by snapping the strip at each end to for a crimp in the strip along its entire length to maintain the strip in a rigid straight configuration, enabling the figure to be maintained in a rigid straight posture or rolled up into a circular ring configuration for wrapping around objects, for rolling, for placement in small spaces, or for other uses increasing its play value.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a pair of mutually engageable components on at least two extremities of the stuffed figure so that the stuffed figure is capable of being stretched around an external object and the pair of mutually engageable components, such as mating hook and loop fasteners marketed under the VELCRO® brand name, are capable of being interconnected so that the stuffed animal is retained around the external object until the pair of mutually engageable components are disengaged.
A related object of the present invention is to provide a stuffed figure with a two-sided hook and loop fastener, having one side with a hook surface and the other side with a loop surface, attached to each of the extremities of the stuffed animal so that each of the extremities may be removably attached to any of the other of the extremities.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1292789 (1919-01-01), Jack
patent: 3448539 (1969-06-01), Hartpence
patent: 4505687 (1985-03-01), Munro
patent: 4755190 (1988-07-01), Autore
patent: 4884991 (1989-12-01), Terzian
patent: 5194033 (1993-03-01), Wright
patent: 316158 (1989-05-01), None
patent: 2364676 (1978-05-01), None
patent: 2639840 (1990-06-01), None
patent: 2110098 (1983-06-01), None
patent: 424822 (1947-09-01), None
LandOfFree
Shape transformable stuffed animals does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Shape transformable stuffed animals, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Shape transformable stuffed animals will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2555986