U.S. patent application number 11/705531 was filed with the patent office on 2008-08-14 for re-configurable doll/stuffed toy.
Invention is credited to Thomas K. Hong.
Application Number | 20080194172 11/705531 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39686236 |
Filed Date | 2008-08-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080194172 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hong; Thomas K. |
August 14, 2008 |
Re-configurable doll/stuffed toy
Abstract
A re-configurable doll for use as a teaching aid or an article
of entertainment comprises a torso, a head attached to the torso,
and arms and legs attached to the torso. A plurality of external
components are removably mountable on the head of the
re-configurable doll. Further, in another aspect of the invention,
there is a storage container for receiving and retaining the
plurality of facial features. The storage container has a plurality
of compartments.
Inventors: |
Hong; Thomas K.; (Toronto,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THOMAS K. HONG
1666 Queen Street East, Unit 18
TORONTO
ON
M4L 1G3
omitted
|
Family ID: |
39686236 |
Appl. No.: |
11/705531 |
Filed: |
February 13, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/100 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 3/365 20130101;
A63H 3/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/100 |
International
Class: |
A63H 3/16 20060101
A63H003/16 |
Claims
1. A re-configurable doll for use as a teaching aid or an article
of entertainment, said re-configurable doll comprising: a torso; a
head attached to said torso; arms and legs attached to said torso;
and, a plurality of external components removably mountable on the
head, torso, arms and legs of said re-configurable doll.
2. The re-configurable doll of claim 1, wherein said plurality of
plurality of external components are removably mountable on the
head of said re-configurable doll by means of a hook and loop
fastening system.
3. The re-configurable doll of claim 1, wherein said plurality of
external components are removably mountable on said re-configurable
doll by means of at least one magnet disposed in said doll, and
wherein said plurality of external components are attracted by said
at least one magnet.
4. The re-configurable doll of claim 3, wherein said plurality of
plurality of external components are removably mountable on the
head of said re-configurable doll by means of a magnet disposed in
the head of said doll, and wherein said plurality of external
components are attracted by said magnet.
5. The re-configurable doll of claim 1, wherein said plurality of
plurality of external components are magnetic and wherein at least
a portion of said re-configurable doll is made from a magnetically
attractable material.
6. The re-configurable doll of claim 5, wherein said plurality of
plurality of external components are magnetic and wherein at least
a portion of the head of said re-configurable doll is made from a
magnetically attractable material.
7. The re-configurable doll of claim 1, wherein said head has an
outer covering comprising a soft fabric material.
8. The re-configurable doll of claim 1, wherein said
re-configurable doll comprises teddy bear.
9. The re-configurable doll of claim 1, wherein said
re-configurable doll comprises a human-like figure.
10. The re-configurable doll of claim 1, wherein said plurality of
external components comprise a plurality of facial features.
11. The re-configurable doll of claim 10, wherein said plurality of
facial features comprise eyes, ears, a nose, hair, eyebrows, and a
mouth.
12. The re-configurable doll of claim 1, wherein said plurality of
external components comprise letters and numbers.
13. The re-configurable doll of claim 1, wherein said plurality of
external components comprise random shapes.
14. The re-configurable doll of claim 1, wherein said arms and legs
are attached and in removable and replaceable relation on said
torso.
15. A teaching aid for learning about facial anatomy and
expressions, said teaching and comprising: a torso; a head attached
to said torso; arms and legs attached to said torso; a plurality of
external components removably mountable on the head of said
re-configurable doll; and, a storage container for receiving and
retaining said plurality of external components, said storage
container having a plurality of compartments.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to dolls and to stuffed toys,
and more particularly to dolls and to stuffed toys that have
repositionable pieces and are thereby re-configurable. Further,
this re-configurable doll may be used as a teaching aid.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Dolls of various forms and figures are one of the oldest
types of toys used by children. From very early recorded times,
various types of dolls, and the like, have been shown to exist in
various cultures and geographic locations throughout the world.
Such dolls come in many forms, such as a humans and animals, and
forms resembling humans and animals. Also dolls come in forms that
are analogous to humans and animals, but do not exist in the world,
including aliens, dragons, monsters, and many others.
[0003] Many early dolls were made of plaster or china, wood, or any
other material that was readily available at the time. More
recently, dolls have been made of fabric, and comprise an outer
fabric layer stuffed with a soft stuffing material. Such dolls are
commonly referred to as stuffed toys.
[0004] Even more modern dolls and stuffed toys are made from more
modern materials, and also have many different types of features,
such as moveable parts, replaceable parts, stylable hair, voice
recording, storage compartments, and many others. The effect of
modern technology on dolls is quite widespread. However, there
remains a fundamental basis for dolls and stuffed toys, in that
they tend to look like a human or animal figure, or even
animal-like figure, and include features such as eyes, ears, nose,
mouth, hands, feet, hair, and so on. These features make a doll or
stuffed toy more life-like, and therefore easier to relate to for
young children. Typically, young children use such dolls or stuffed
toys to recreate real-life situations, such as playing house,
acting as a replacement of a friend, and so on. However, much of
the change in situation between the child and the doll must come
from the child=s imagination.
[0005] In order for a doll/stuffed toy to be more versatile, it
would be useful for such a doll/stuffed toy to be re-configurable.
More specifically, the various features of the doll/stuffed toy
would be readily removable and replaceable. Further, such a
doll/stuffed toy would act as a significant teaching aid for young
children.
[0006] One such re-configurable doll, or at least play-figure, is
known as Mr. Potato Head7 and consists of a plastic head having
small discrete apertures therein. The various features of a human,
such as ears, eyes, nose, mouth, and so on, are moulded from
plastic and each have a small peg extending outwardly therefrom.
The small peg frictionally engages the small discrete apertures in
the plastic head, thus permitting a variety of facial expressions
and so on to be constructed. While this particular figure was quite
popular with children at one time, the discrete apertures limited
the number of places that the eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and so on
could be placed. Further, it was not as appealing to small children
as it might have been, because it was made of hard plastic and was
not cuddly. Since the learning of facial expressions and the like
is very applicable to younger children, it missed its target
audience to some degree.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 6,758,717 issued Jul. 6, 2004 to Park et al,
discloses a doll having changeable eyes and removable alternative
face. The doll head defines a pair of eye apertures and a pair of
outwardly extending ears. A mask also having eye apertures and ear
portions is removably attached to the doll head to overlie the
facial portions thereof. The mask includes a snap-fit attachment
that engages the ear portions of the doll head. An eye change
mechanism within the doll head provides alternative eye images
viewed through the respective eye apertures of the head and
mask.
[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
re-configurable doll/stuffed toy.
[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
re-configurable doll/stuffed toy that can be used as a teaching
aid.
[0010] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
re-configurable doll/stuffed toy that has variable facial
expressions.
[0011] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
re-configurable doll/stuffed toy that is suitable for very young
children.
[0012] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
re-configurable doll/stuffed toy that also has numbers and letters
that can be mounted on it.
[0013] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
re-configurable doll/stuffed toy, wherein pieces can be mounted
virtually the entire body.
[0014] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
re-configurable doll/stuffed toy that is entertaining for a child
to play with.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there
is disclosed a novel re-configurable doll for use as a teaching aid
or an article of entertainment. The re-configurable doll comprises
a torso, a head attached to the torso, and arms and legs attached
to the torso. A plurality of external components are removably
mountable on the head of the re-configurable doll.
[0016] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention
there is disclosed a novel teaching aid for learning about facial
anatomy and expressions. The teaching and comprises a torso, a head
attached to the torso, and arms and legs attached to the torso. A
plurality of external components are removably mountable on the
head of the re-configurable doll. There is also a storage container
for receiving and retaining the plurality of external components.
The storage container has a plurality of compartments.
[0017] Other advantages, features and characteristics of the
present invention, as well as methods of operation and functions of
the related elements of the structure, and the combination of parts
and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon
consideration of the following detailed description and the
appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, the
latter of which is briefly described herein below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The novel features which are believed to be characteristic
of the re-configurable doll/stuffed toy according to the present
invention, as to its structure, organization, and use, together
with further objectives and advantages thereof, will be better
understood from the following drawings in which a presently
preferred embodiment of the invention will now be illustrated by
way of example. It is expressly understood, however, that the
drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only,
and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the
invention. In the accompanying drawings:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a front plan view of a first preferred embodiment
of the re-configurable doll/stuffed toy according to the present
invention, with removable facial features in place;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a front plan view similar to FIG. 1, with the
facial features removed;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a front plan view similar to FIG. 1, with the
facial features replaced onto the face of the stuffed toy or
doll;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a front plan view similar to FIG. 1, with the
facial features replaced onto the face of the stuffed toy or doll,
in an unusual manner;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a front plan view of a second preferred embodiment
of the re-configurable doll/stuffed toy according to the present
invention, with removable facial features in place;
[0024] FIG. 6 is a front plan view similar to FIG. 5, with the
facial features removed;
[0025] FIG. 7 is a front plan view similar to FIG. 5, with the
facial features replaced onto the face of the stuffed toy or
doll;
[0026] FIG. 8 is a front plan view similar to FIG. 5, except
showing other removable and replaceable features placed on the head
and torso of the re-configurable doll/stuffed toy; and,
[0027] FIG. 9 is a front plan view similar to FIG. 5, except
showing the removable and replaceable features placed in an unusual
manner on the head and torso of the re-configurable doll/stuffed
toy;
[0028] FIG. 10 is a front plan view of a third preferred embodiment
of the re-configurable doll/stuffed toy according to the present
invention, with a plurality of removable and replaceable external
components in place;
[0029] FIG. 11 is a front plan view of a fourth preferred
embodiment of the re-configurable doll/stuffed toy according to the
present invention, with a plurality of removable and replaceable
external components in place;
[0030] FIG. 12 is a front plan view of a fifth preferred embodiment
of the re-configurable doll/stuffed toy according to the present
invention, with a plurality of removable and replaceable external
components in place, specifically facial features; and,
[0031] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a container for holding the
various removable and replaceable parts of the re-configurable
doll/stuffed toy of the present invention.
[0032] Advantages, features and characteristics of the present
invention, as well as functions of the related elements of the
structure, and the combination of parts and economies of
manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the
following detailed description with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0033] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 13 of the drawings, it will be
noted that FIGS. 1 through 4 illustrate the first preferred
embodiment of the re-configurable doll/stuffed toy of the present
invention, and FIGS. 5 through 9 illustrate the second preferred
embodiment of the re-configurable doll/stuffed toy of the present
invention, FIG. 10 illustrates the third preferred embodiment of
the re-configurable doll/stuffed toy of the present invention, FIG.
11 illustrates the fourth preferred embodiment of the
re-configurable doll/stuffed toy of the present invention, FIG. 12
illustrates the fourth preferred embodiment of the re-configurable
doll/stuffed toy of the present invention, and FIG. 13 is part of
the invention that can be used with any embodiment of the
re-configurable doll/stuffed toy of the present invention.
[0034] Reference will now be made to FIGS. 1 through 4, which show
a first preferred embodiment of the re-configurable doll/stuffed
toy according to the present invention, as indicated by the general
reference numeral 120. The re-configurable doll/stuffed toy 120 is
essentially an animal form, specifically a ATeddy Bear@, having a
torso 122, left and right arms 124,126, left and right legs
128,130, a neck 132, and a head 134. The head 134 is attached to
the torso 122 by the neck 132, and the arms and legs are also
attached to the torso, as would be expected. There is also a
plurality of external components removably mounted on the head 134.
As illustrated, the plurality of external components comprise
facial features such as eyes 140,142, nose 144, mouth 146, and ears
148,150, that are removably and replaceably mounted on the head
134. As shown, the re-configurable doll/stuffed toy 120 resembles a
friendly animal-like face with a very human expression, which is
something that young children can identify with. There are also
other external components removably and replaceably mounted on the
torso 112, arms 124,126 and legs 128,130. More specifically, the
numeral "1", as indicated by reference numeral 131 is removably and
replaceably mounted on the right arm 126, the letter "T", as
indicated by reference numeral 133 is removably and replaceably
mounted on the left arm 124, a random shape 135 is removably and
replaceably mounted on the torso 122, a square 137 is removably and
replaceably mounted on the right leg 130, and a triangle 139 is
removably and replaceably mounted on the left leg 128.
[0035] The eyes 140,142, nose 144, mouth 146, and ears 148,150 are
individual components made from the hook type material of a
hook-and-loop fastener system. The material on the head of the
doll/stuffed toy 120 is a soft fabric material having small loops
of thread exposed at its surface. The hooks of the hook-and-loop
fastener system engage these loops of material to retain the
removable and replaceable features in place on the head of the
doll/stuffed toy 120.
[0036] FIG. 2 shows the doll/stuffed toy 120 of FIG. 1 with the
facial features (eyes 140,142, nose 144, mouth 146, and ears
148,150) removed from its head 134. Such removal of the facial
features is readily done by a young child.
[0037] FIG. 3 shows the doll/stuffed toy 120 with the removable and
replaceable facial features (eyes 140,142, nose 144, mouth 146, and
ears 148,150) replaced onto the head 134, in a completely different
pattern, showing a somewhat different facial expression. Such
replacement of the facial features is readily done by a young
child.
[0038] FIG. 4 again shows the doll/stuffed toy 120 having the
removable and replaceable facial features (eyes 140,142, nose 144,
mouth 146, and ears 148,150) in a completely different and unusual
pattern, which is not readily recognizable as a facial expression,
but might be quite funny to a child, thus providing entertainment
for the child.
[0039] Reference will now be made to FIGS. 5 through 8, which show
a second preferred embodiment of the re-configurable doll/stuffed
toy according to the present invention, as indicated by the general
reference numeral 220. The re-configurable doll/stuffed toy 220 is
a human-like figure, having a torso 222, left and right arms
224,226, left and right legs 228,230, a neck 232, and a head 234.
There are various features on the head 234, such as eyes 240,242,
eyebrows 241,243, nose 244, mouth 246, ears 248,250, and hair 252,
that are removably and replaceably mounted on the head 234. In this
manner, the re-configurable doll/stuffed toy 220 resembles a
human-like face that young children can identify with, and is
generally recognizable as being similar to a male. There are also
features, specifically numbers and letters 260, that are removably
and replaceably mounted on the torso 222. The eyes 240,242,
eyebrows 241,243, nose 244, mouth 246, ears 248,250, and hair 252
and the numbers and letters 260 are all interchangeable in terms of
placement on the head 234 or torso 222.
[0040] The eyes 240,242, eyebrows 241,243, nose 244, mouth 246,
ears 248,250, are made from the hook type material of a
hook-and-loop fastener system. The hair 252 is attached to a piece
of hook type material of a hook-and-loop fastener system. The
material on most of the outer surface of the doll/stuffed toy 220
is a soft fabric material having small loops of thread exposed at
its surface. The hooks of the hook-and-loop fastener system engage
these loops of material to retain the removable and replaceable
features in place on the head 234 and torso 222 of the doll/stuffed
toy 220.
[0041] FIG. 6 shows the doll/stuffed toy 220 of FIG. 5 with the
facial features (eyes 240,242, eyebrows 241,243, nose 244, mouth
246, ears 248,250) removed from its head 234 and torso 222, which
is readily done by a young child.
[0042] FIG. 7 shows the doll/stuffed toy 220 with the facial
features (eyes 240,242, eyebrows 241,243, nose 244, mouth 246, ears
248,250) replaced onto the head 234 and torso 222, in a completely
different pattern. The facial features on the head 234 show a
somewhat different facial expression than in FIG. 5.
[0043] FIG. 8 shows the doll/stuffed toy 220 with new facial
features (eyes 240a,242a, eyebrows 241a,243a, nose 244a, mouth
246a, ears 248a,250a) replaced onto the head 234 and torso 222,
including different hair 252a. The facial features on the head 234
show a somewhat different facial expression than in FIG. 5, and is
generally recognizable as being similar to a female.
[0044] FIG. 9 again shows the doll/stuffed toy 220 having the
removable and replaceable facial features (eyes 240,242, eyebrows
241,243, nose 244, mouth 246, ears 248,250) and the numbers and
letters 260 in a completely different and unusual pattern. The
facial features are not necessarily on the head. Accordingly, the
doll/stuffed toy 220 does not have a normal readily recognizable a
facial expression. The random and unusual placement of all of these
features might be quite funny to a child, thus providing
entertainment for the child.
[0045] Reference will now be made to FIG. 10, which shows a third
preferred embodiment of the re-configurable doll/stuffed toy
according to the present invention, as indicated by the general
reference numeral 320. The re-configurable doll/stuffed toy 320 is
similar to the second preferred embodiment re-configurable
doll/stuffed toy 220, except that the plurality of external
components 330 are removably mountable on the re-configurable
doll/stuffed toy 320 by means of at least one magnet disposed in
the re-configurable doll/stuffed toy 320. More specifically, the
plurality of external components 330 are removably mountable on the
head 334, the torso 322, the left and right arms 324,326, and the
left and right legs 328,330, by means of a magnet 340 disposed in
the head 334, by means of a magnet 342 disposed in the torso 322,
by means of a magnet 344 disposed in the left arm 324, by means of
a magnet 346 disposed in the right arm 326, by means of a magnet
348 disposed in the left leg 328, and by means of a magnet 350
disposed in the right leg 330. The plurality of external components
are made from a suitable ferrous-based magnetically attractable
material so as to be attracted by the magnets 340, 342, 344, 346,
348 and 350. Reference will now be made to FIG. 11, which shows a
fourth preferred embodiment of the re-configurable doll/stuffed toy
according to the present invention, as indicated by the general
reference numeral 420. The re-configurable doll/stuffed toy 420 is
similar to the third preferred embodiment re-configurable
doll/stuffed toy 320, except that the plurality of external
components 430 that are removably mountable on the head 434, the
torso 422, and the left and right arms 424,426, are magnetic. A
least a portion of the re-configurable doll 420, more specifically
the head 434, the torso 422, and the left and right arms 424,426,
are made from a suitable ferrous-based magnetically attractable
material so as to be attracted by the magnetic removable and
replaceable components 430.
[0046] Reference will now be made to FIG. 12, which shows a fifth
preferred embodiment of the re-configurable doll/stuffed toy
according to the present invention, as indicated by the general
reference numeral 520. The re-configurable doll/stuffed toy 520 is
similar to the first preferred embodiment re-configurable
doll/stuffed toy 20, except that the left and right arms 524,526,
and the left and right legs 528,530 are attached and in removable
and replaceable relation on the torso 522. It can be seen that the
doll/stuffed toy of the present invention allows a child to create
numerous facial expressions and appearances by attaching and
removing various facial features. Additionally, various numbers and
letters can be used on any part of the doll/stuffed toy for
educational and entertainment purposes. The doll/stuffed toy
therefore encourages children=s imagination and creativity, and
develops their social skills in terms of recognizing and expressing
emotions and feelings.
[0047] The doll/stuffed toy is preferably made from soft, durable
flexible material. The interchangeable components may be made from
fabric or plastic, and ideally would come in a variety of shapes,
sizes, and colors to allow for a wide variation in the appearance
of the doll/stuffed toy.
[0048] In an alternative embodiment (not illustrated), it is
contemplated that the various features could be retained in place
on the doll/stuffed toy by means of a small magnet on the features
and a co-operating iron-based metal structure within the
doll/stuffed toy, or conversely the features could be at least
partially made from an iron-based material and a co-operating
magnetic structure within the doll/stuffed toy.
[0049] FIG. 13 shows a storage container that is used in
conjunction with the doll/stuffed toy of the present invention. The
storage container 500 has a number of compartments 502 for
receiving and retaining like external components 530 segregated one
from another, and an openable and closeable lid to retain all of
the items within the storage container.
[0050] Other variations of the above principles will be apparent to
those who are knowledgeable in the field of the invention, and such
variations are considered to be within the scope of the present
invention. Further, other modifications and alterations may be used
in the implementation of the present invention without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *