U.S. patent application number 13/621568 was filed with the patent office on 2013-01-17 for play toys and techniques for fabricating play toys.
The applicant listed for this patent is John Scott Cooper. Invention is credited to John Scott Cooper.
Application Number | 20130017758 13/621568 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47519172 |
Filed Date | 2013-01-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130017758 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cooper; John Scott |
January 17, 2013 |
PLAY TOYS AND TECHNIQUES FOR FABRICATING PLAY TOYS
Abstract
A play toy has strands of different materials braided together
to form at least one braided body having a pre-selected
cross-sectional shape and arranged in a pre-selected structural
configuration.
Inventors: |
Cooper; John Scott; (Ft.
Lauderale, FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Cooper; John Scott |
Ft. Lauderale |
FL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
47519172 |
Appl. No.: |
13/621568 |
Filed: |
September 17, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12653534 |
Dec 15, 2009 |
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13621568 |
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11824875 |
Jul 2, 2007 |
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12653534 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
446/490 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 9/00 20130101; A01K
15/025 20130101; A01K 15/026 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/490 |
International
Class: |
A63H 33/00 20060101
A63H033/00 |
Claims
1-13. (canceled)
14. A play toy comprising: a plurality of strands of a rubber
material braided together to form at least one braided body having
a pre-selected cross-sectional shape and arranged in a pre-selected
structural configuration.
15. A play toy according to claim 14; wherein strands of the rubber
material comprises strands of rubber tubbing material.
16. A play toy according to claim 14; wherein strands of the rubber
material comprises substantially flat strips of rubber
material.
17. A play toy according to claim 16; further comprising at least
one a play object coupled to the at least one braided body.
18. A play toy according to claim 17; wherein the play object
comprises one or more rubber balls, pre-formed rubber or plastic
figures, or a combination thereof.
19. A play toy comprising: a combination of a braided part and a
plurality of non-braided parts connected together to form a
three-dimensional-shaped play toy, the braided part comprising a
plurality of strands of one or more materials braided together to
form at least one braided body having a pre-selected
cross-sectional shape and arranged in a pre-selected structural
configuration.
20. A play toy according to claim 19; wherein the plurality of
strands of one or more materials comprises a plurality of strands
of different materials.
21. A play toy according to claim 20; wherein the strands of
different materials comprise a combination of strands of a webbing
material and strands of a plush material.
22. A play toy according to claim 21; wherein the webbing material
comprises flat nylon webbing.
23. A play toy according to claim 20; wherein the strands of
different materials comprise a combination of strands of a plush
material and strands of a rubber tubing material.
24. A play toy according to claim 19; wherein the plurality of
strands are made only of a plush material.
25. A play toy according to claim 19; wherein the braided part
forms a mid-section of the three-dimensional-shaped play toy.
26. A play toy according to claim 25; wherein the mid-section is
looped.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of copending U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 11/824,875, filed Jul. 2, 2007, which
is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to the field of toys
and, more specifically, to play toys and techniques for fabricating
play toys having braided bodies made of webbing materials,
plush-like materials, rubber strips, or rubber tubing and of
combinations of these and other materials, as well as play toys
having combinations of braided and non-braided bodies made of the
foregoing materials and combination of such materials.
[0004] 2. Background Information
[0005] It is desirable to provide pets and, in particular, dogs,
with play toys that will entertain the pet and occupy the pet's
attention for extended periods of time. Generally, play toys for
dogs include chew, fetch, and tug types or combinations thereof.
Since such toys are treated roughly and typically carried in the
animal's mouth, it is important to provide a play toy that is safe
and non-hazardous to play with, bite or chew. It is especially
important that the toy does not break apart or disintegrate in the
dog's mouth, thus potentially injuring the dog or causing it to gag
or choke.
[0006] Presently, many play toys for dogs are constructed using
conventional ropes, which may have a tendency for fraying, or
include filler-containing members having sewn seams. The seams are
typically the weakest points of the toys and, when broken by a dog,
expose embedded filler materials to the dog's teeth. Both the
fraying ropes and filler materials may be hazardous to dogs. For
example, fraying portions of the ropes and filler materials
accumulate dirt and bacteria, which become digested by the
dogs.
[0007] It is also desirable to provide play toys for children that
will provide entertainment for extended periods of time, are soft
to the touch, are easily carried and manipulated by children, and
are long-lasting, safe and non-hazardous to play with.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Play toys and techniques for fabricating play toys having
braided bodies made of webbing materials, plush-like materials,
rubber strips, or rubber tubing and of combinations of these and
other materials, as well as play toys having combinations of
braided and non-braided bodies made of the foregoing materials and
combination of such materials, are described herein.
[0009] In one aspect, the present invention provides a play toy
comprising a plurality of strands of a material braided together to
form at least one braided body having a pre-selected
cross-sectional shape and arranged in a pre-selected structural
configuration. In exemplary embodiments, the material for the
strands is preferably a webbing material, a plush-like material,
rubber strips, or rubber tubing.
[0010] In another aspect, the present invention provides a play toy
comprising a plurality of strands of different materials braided
together to form at least one braided body having a pre-selected
cross-sectional shape and arranged in a pre-selected structural
configuration. In exemplary embodiments, the different materials
for the strands are preferably combinations of webbing/plush
materials, plush/rubber tubing materials, and plush/rope
materials.
[0011] In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a play
toy comprising a combination of braided and non-braided parts
connected together to form a three-dimensional-shaped play toy, the
braided part comprising a plurality of strands of one type of
material or different types of materials braided together to form
at least one braided body having a pre-selected cross-sectional
shape and arranged in a pre-selected structural configuration. In
exemplary embodiments, the materials for the strands are preferably
webbing materials, plush-like materials, rubber strips, or rubber
tubing, or combinations of these materials.
[0012] In the foregoing aspects, the play toys arranged in the
pre-selected structural configuration may also include various play
objects, such as tennis or rubber balls, pre-formed rubber or
plastic figures, and the like.
[0013] In exemplary designs, the inventive techniques are used for
fabricating chew, fetch, and tug types of pet toys or combinations
thereof, as well as play toys suitable for use by small children
and children with special needs. Various aspects and embodiments of
the invention are described in further detail below.
[0014] The foregoing summary is neither intended nor should it be
construed as being representative of the full extent and scope of
the present invention, which these and additional aspects will
become more readily apparent from the detailed description,
particularly when taken together with the appended drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed
description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, will be
better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is
shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It
should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to
the precise arrangement and instrumentalities shown. In the
drawings:
[0016] FIGS. 1A-1F are perspective views of a portion of a body
fabricated using braided webbing materials during intermediate
stages of manufacture of the body in one embodiment of the play toy
according to the present invention;
[0017] FIGS. 2A-2B are perspective views of a portion of a body
fabricated using braided webbing materials in finished (FIG. 2A)
and intermediate (FIG. 2B) stages of manufacture in another
embodiment of the play toy according to the present invention, and
FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 2C-2C in
FIG. 2A;
[0018] FIGS. 3A-3B are perspective views of a body fabricated using
braided webbing materials in finished (FIG. 3A) and intermediate
(FIG. 3B) stages of manufacture in yet another embodiment of the
play toy according to the present invention, and FIG. 3C is a
cross-sectional view taken along the line 3C-3C in FIG. 2A;
[0019] FIGS. 4A-4B are perspective views of a body fabricated using
braided webbing materials in finished (FIG. 4A) and intermediate
(FIG. 4B) stages of manufacture in still another embodiment of the
play toy according to the present invention, FIG. 4C is a
cross-sectional view taken along the line 4C-4C in FIG. 4A, FIG. 4D
is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 4D-4D in FIG. 4A,
and FIG. 4E is an enlarged view of detail C in FIG. 4A;
[0020] FIGS. 5A-5B are perspective views of a body fabricated using
braided webbing materials in finished (FIG. 5A) and intermediate
(FIG. 5B) stages of manufacture in yet still another embodiment of
the play toy according to the present invention, and FIG. 5C is a
cross-sectional view taken along the line 5C-5C in FIG. 5A;
[0021] FIGS. 6-8 are perspective views of exemplary play toys,
which are fabricated using braided webbing materials of the present
invention;
[0022] FIGS. 9A-9B show another embodiment of a play toy according
to the present invention, where FIG. 9A is a perspective view and
FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 9B-9B in
FIG. 9A;
[0023] FIG. 10 is a side view of another play toy according to the
present invention;
[0024] FIG. 11 is a front view of another play toy according to the
present invention shown in an intermediate stage of
manufacture;
[0025] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another play toy according
to the present invention shown in an intermediate stage of
manufacture;
[0026] FIG. 13 is a front view of another play toy according to the
present invention;
[0027] FIG. 14 is a front view of another play toy according to the
present invention;
[0028] FIG. 15 is a front view of another play toy according to the
present invention;
[0029] FIGS. 16A-16E are front views of a play toy according to
another embodiment of the present invention, where FIG. 16A shows
the play toy in a natural, unstretched configuration state and
FIGS. 16B-16E show the play toy in various stretched configuration
states; and
[0030] FIGS. 17A-17B are front views of a play toy according to
another embodiment of the present invention, where FIG. 17A shows
the play toy in a natural, unstretched configuration state and FIG.
17B shows the play toy in a stretched configuration state.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0031] The images in the drawings are simplified for illustrative
purposes and are not depicted to scale. To facilitate
understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where
possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the
figures, except that suffixes may be added, when appropriate, to
differentiate such elements.
[0032] The appended drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of
the invention and, as such, should not be considered as limiting
the scope of the invention that may admit to other equally
effective embodiments. It is contemplated that features or steps of
one embodiment may be beneficially incorporated in other
embodiments without further recitation.
[0033] The term "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an
example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment or design
described herein as "exemplary" or "alternative" is not necessarily
to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments
or designs.
[0034] Certain terminology is used in the following description for
convenience only and is not intended to be limiting. The words
right, left, front, top, rear, back, upper, lower, inner, outer,
rearwardly, forwardly, clockwise, counterclockwise designate
directions in the drawing to which reference is made. Such
terminology includes the words above specifically mentioned and
words of similar import.
[0035] In the following description of the preferred embodiments of
the present invention, the term "about" is used to quantify the
preferred dimensions and weights of the various components of the
play toys. The term "about" is defined to cover the specific
dimensions and weights described as well as values within a range
of .+-.10% of the specific dimensions and weights described.
[0036] Referring to the figures, FIGS. 1A-1F depict perspective
views of a portion of a body 100 fabricated using braided webbing
materials during intermediate stages of its manufacture in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The body
100 is fabricated by braiding together four pieces or strands 110,
120, 130, and 140 of substantially flat nylon webbing. Preferably,
the braided flat nylon webbing has a tensile strength of from about
1000 to about 10,000 pounds per square inch. These strands may be
braided by hand or using a corresponding braiding machine.
Hereafter, the term "strand" refers a machine-woven fabric produced
from respective fibers or threads.
[0037] The nylon webbing is generally produced in a form of narrow
bands (for example, about 1 to 10 mm width bands) of woven fabric
and known for its strength, resilience to stress, and resistance to
fraying. Nylon webbing is commercially available in rolls, e.g.,
rolls containing 50-500 meters of the respective strand. In popular
applications, nylon webbing is commonly used in wide bands, such as
found in car/plane seat belts and cargo straps. In the body 100,
widths of the strands 110, 120, 130, and 140, as well as
cross-sectional geometry of the body generally are selectively
chosen to accommodate biting patterns of dogs of different size and
age.
[0038] In alternative embodiments, a number of braided strands that
form the body 100 may be either greater or smaller than four, as
well as at least a portion of the strands may be fabricated from
polypropylene, polyester or cotton webbing, canvas strapping, or a
combination thereof. In further embodiments, one or more strands of
the webbing material may have pre-selected color patterns or
insignia. Coloring of the respective bands may be obtained by using
pre-colored component threads or by a means of printing
techniques.
[0039] The body 100 may be braided to have a pre-selected
cross-sectional shape (for example, generally square, rectangular,
circular, triangular, or octagonal cross-sectional shape, and the
like) and arranged in a pre-selected structural configuration, as
discussed below in reference to FIGS. 6-8.
[0040] In the depicted embodiment, using the strands 110, 120, 130,
and 140, the body 100 is fabricated in a sequence of steps
schematically illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1F, which show consecutive
positions of the strands, relative to one another, in a 6-step
braiding cycle. Such cycle is repeated until a length of the body
100 attains a pre-determined value. The body 100 has a seamless
structure having ends that may be furnished in a manner providing
fray-free terminations. For example, loose ends of the strands 110,
120, 130, and 140 may be braided back into the body 100, braided
together to form a ring-like structure, or melted, thereby forming
an entirely seamless structural unit.
[0041] Exemplary alternative embodiment of the present invention
are shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, 3A-3C, 4A-4E, and 5A-5C, which depict
perspective views of bodies 200, 300, 400, and 500, respectively,
which are shown in finished and intermediate stages of their
manufacture. In particular, the bodies 200, 300, 400 are fabricated
by braiding together four loose strands (e.g., see FIG. 4E
corresponding to detail C in FIG. 4A), whereas in the body 500 the
strands are paired together. Those skilled in the art will readily
appreciate that, using the discussed above techniques, braided
bodies may be fabricated in a near unlimited variety of
cross-sectional shapes.
[0042] Referring to FIG. 6, a play toy 600 is fabricated using a
single braided body 610, which is knotted near pre-selected points
601-603 of the body and has ends forming a knot 604. In the
depicted embodiment, strands at ends of the body 610 are braided
together to form a seamless ring-like body. In an alternative
embodiment (not shown), strands at each end of the body 610 may be
braided back into the respective end, thus forming a seamless
rope-like body.
[0043] Referring to FIG. 7, a play toy 700 is fabricated using a
single braided body 710 (illustratively, body 500) and a tennis
ball 720 having opposing openings 722 and 724. The body 710 is
folded near a pre-selected point 701 (for example, a middle point
of the body 710) to form a loop 703, which extends from the opening
722. Ends 712, 714 of the body 710 movably propagate through the
tennis ball 720 and form a knot 716 near the opening 724. Strands
at the knotted ends of the body 710 may be braided together to form
a seamless ring-like body (as shown) or be selectively braided back
into the respective ends to form a seamless body-like body.
[0044] Referring to FIG. 8, a play toy 800 is fabricated using
three braided bodies 810, 820, and 830 (illustratively, all of
these bodies are the bodies 500) and a tennis ball 840 having
openings 842, 844, and 846. First ends 812, 822, and 832 of the
bodies 810, 820, and 830 are inserted into the tennis ball 840
through the openings 842, 844, and 846, respectively, and are
captively retained or secured inside of the tennis ball such as by
using an adhesive glue or other suitable bonding agent. Second ends
814, 824, and 834 of the bodies 810, 820, and 830 are terminated
with knots 816, 826, and 836, respectively. In the depicted
embodiment, strands at the knotted ends 814, 824, and 834 are
selectively braided back into the respective ends, as discussed
above in reference to FIGS. 6-7.
[0045] In an alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 9A-9B, the
strands may be braided over an insert 910, such as a substantially
flexible plastic tubing or pre-molded structure, or otherwise
encompass some inner space within the body 900. Such inner space
may further be filled with filler materials 920, including cotton,
synthetic fibers, and the like.
[0046] FIGS. 10-17 show alternative exemplary embodiments of play
toys according to the present invention.
[0047] FIGS. 10 and 11 are side views of play toys in finished and
intermediate stages, respectively, of their manufacture using a
combination of braided webbing and plush materials. In FIG. 10, the
play toy has a body 1000 made of multiple pieces or strands of
webbing material 1010 and plush material 1020 braided together in a
manner similar as described above with respect to FIGS. 4A-4E for
the body 400 made of webbing material. In FIG. 11, the play toy has
a body 1100 made of strands of webbing material 1110 and plush
material 1120 braided together in a manner similar as described
above with respect to FIGS. 1A-1F for the body 100 made of webbing
material. In the play toys of FIGS. 10 and 11, the type of webbing
material used is as described above for the embodiments of FIGS.
1A-9B.
[0048] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a play toy having a body
1200 shown in an intermediate stage of manufacture. The body 1200
is fabricated using only strands of rubber tubing 1210 which are
braided together to form the body 1200. The manner of braiding the
rubber tubing and the resulting configuration of the body 1200 is
as described above in connection with the embodiment of FIGS. 4A-4B
for the braiding of the body 400 using the webbing material.
[0049] FIG. 13 is a side view of a play toy including a braided
body 1300 having opposite ends 1301, 1302 and a play toy in the
form of a tennis ball 1310 having opposite openings 1311, 1312. The
braided body 1300 is fabricated by braiding a combination of
multiple strands of a plush material 1320 and rubber tubing 1330.
The body 1300 is turned near a pre-selected point 1340 (for
example, a middle point of the body 1300) to form a loop 1350,
which extends from openings 1311, 1312 of the tennis ball 1310. The
ends 1301, 1302 of the body 1300 are inserted into the tennis ball
1310 through the respective openings 1311, 1312 and are captively
retained or secured inside of the tennis ball 1310 such as by using
an adhesive glue or other suitable bonding agent.
[0050] Thus, as shown in FIG. 13, the combination of the braided
body 1300 and tennis ball 1310 form a ring-like body. Although this
embodiment illustrates the use of a tennis ball, other types of
sport balls may be used, including a football, soccer ball, golf
ball, hockey puck, etc. Alternatively, instead of a sports ball,
other objects characterized as animal, human, fruit, rock
formations, etc. may be used.
[0051] FIG. 14 is a side view of a play toy including a body 1400
made of braided strips of a rubber material 1401 having opposite
ends 1402, 1403, and two play objects 1410 each having opposite
openings 1411, 1412 movably attached to the respective opposite
ends of the braided body 1400 via respective connecting strip
members 1420 each having opposite ends 1421, 1422. The connecting
strip members 1420 are looped through the braided strips of rubber
material 1401 at the respective opposite ends 1402, 1403 of the
body 1400, and the ends 1421, 1422 are inserted into the respective
objects 1410 and are captively retained or secured inside of the
objects 1410 so as to allow rotational movement of the objects 1410
relative to the connecting strip members 1420 and the body 1400.
The strips of rubber material 1401 are substantially flat strips of
rubber material. The objects 1410 are preferably made of a rubber
material, such as the same type of rubber material used for the
braided strips forming the body 1400, however, they are not limited
to such type of object and to being made of such material. For
example, the play objects 1410 may include one or more pre-formed
figures made of a plastic or fabric material.
[0052] Furthermore, while the objects 1410 shown in FIG. 14 are
generally oval-shaped, other types of shapes are suitable for the
objects, including spherical-, cubic-, and cylindrical-shaped, so
long as the objects 1410 are permitted to undergo rotation relative
to the respective connecting strip members 1420 and the body 1400.
Additionally, the outer surface of the objects 1410 may have some
type of texture, such as bump-like elements protruding from the
outer surface (as shown), or have a smooth surface.
[0053] FIG. 15 is a side view of a play toy with a body 1500
fabricated using a combination of braided pieces or strands of
plush material 1510 and rope 1520. The configuration and
fabrication method for the body 1500 is the same as described above
in FIGS. 4A-4E for the body 400 made of webbing material. In this
embodiment, the body 1510 is generally circular-shaped in
cross-section, however, other cross-sectional shapes are suitable,
such as the cross-sectional shapes described above with reference
to the embodiments of FIGS. 1A-1F, 3A-3C, and 5A-5C. The rope is
made from any suitable material, including natural and synthetic
organic fibers.
[0054] FIGS. 16A-16E and 17A-17B show other exemplary embodiments
of play toys according to the present invention in which braided
and non-braided parts are combined together to form the play
toys.
[0055] In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 16A-16E, the play
toy is a plush toy 1600 made of a plush fabric material and shaped
three-dimensionally to form an animate figure. The plush toy 1600
includes a mid-section or center body 1610, a head 1620, two
arm/hands 1630, feet/legs 1640 and a tail 1650. The head 1620
includes ear, eye, nose and mouth portions and is shaped to imitate
the physical characteristics of the animate figure. The head 1620,
arms/hands 1630, feet/legs 1640 and tail 1650 are the non-braided
parts of the plush toy 1600 and, similar to other typical plush
toys, are filled with cotton batting or other filler to give
consistent thickness and softness to these parts.
[0056] The body 1610 is the braided part of the plush toy 1600 and
is made entirely of braided pieces or strands of a plush fabric
material formed generally in the same manner and configuration as
described above in connection with the embodiment of FIG. 2A for
the body 200 made of webbing material. The body 1610 has opposite
end portions 1611, 1612 and is folded near a pre-selected point
1613 (for example, a middle point of the body 1610) to form a loop
1614. The non-braided portions are integrally attached to various
parts of the body 1610, such as by stitching. More specifically,
the head 1620 and the arm/hands 1630 are attached to the end
portions 1611, 1612 of the body 1610; the tail 1650 is attached to
a side surface portion of the body 1610 generally opposite to the
pre-selected point 1613; and the feet/legs 1640 are attached to
side surface portions of the body 1610 on opposite sides of the
tail 1650 and between the tail 1650 and the corresponding arm/hand
1630. In the configuration shown in FIG. 16A, one of the arms/hands
1630 is disposed across one of the feet/legs 1640 and the other of
their arms/hands 1630 is disposed across the other of the feet/legs
1640.
[0057] FIGS. 16B-16E demonstrate various exemplary play modes of
the plush toy 1600 that involve stretching or pulling the braided
body 1610 in various directions denoted by arrows D1-D4 from a
relaxed state of the plush toy 1600 shown in FIG. 16A.
[0058] In a first play mode shown in FIG. 16B, when the braided
body 1610 is stretched (i.e., by pulling) in the directions denoted
by arrows D1, the braided body 1610 assumes a generally oval
configuration (i.e, from the generally circular configuration shown
in FIG. 16A) that causes the arms/hands 1630 to move from the
position shown in FIG. 16A to a position in which the arms/hands
1630 are generally parallel to one another, and that causes the
feet/legs 1640 to converge towards one another from the position
shown in FIG. 16A.
[0059] In a second play mode shown in FIG. 16C, when the braided
body 1610 is pressed in the directions denoted by arrows D2, the
braided body 1610 assumes a generally figure-8 configuration (i.e.,
from the generally circular configuration shown in FIG. 16A) that
causes the arms/hands 1630 to move from the position shown in FIG.
16A to a position in which the arms/hands 1630 are generally
aligned relative one another along a straight line, and that causes
the feet/legs 1640 to move away or to diverge from one another from
the position shown in FIG. 16A.
[0060] FIG. 16D shows a third play mode. When the braided body 1610
is stretched by pulling one of the arm/hand 1630 and the foot/leg
1640 disposed across one another in the directions D3, the braided
body 1610 assumes a generally oval configuration that causes the
other of the foot/leg 1640 (i.e., the unstretched leg) to move up
and the head 1620 to tilt or move counterclockwise towards the
other of the arm/hand 1630 (i.e., the unstretched arm/hand) from
the configuration of the plush toy 1600 shown in FIG. 16A.
[0061] FIG. 16E shows a fourth play mode. When the braided body
1610 is stretched by pulling the other of the arm/hand 1630 and the
foot/leg 1640 disposed across one another in the directions D4, the
braided body 1610 assumes a generally oval configuration that
causes the one of the foot/leg 1640 (i.e., the unstretched leg) to
move up and the head 1620 to tilt or move clockwise towards the one
of the arm/hand 1630 (i.-e., the unstretched arm/hand) from the
configuration of the plush toy 1600 shown in FIG. 16A.
[0062] While only four play modes have been described for the plush
toy 1600, it is understood that other play modes are available
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For
example, other play modes for the plush toy 1600 may include
simultaneous pulling in opposite directions of the head 1620 and
the tail 1650, the head 1620 and any one or both of the feet/legs
1640, and/or the tail 1650 and any one or both of arms/hands
1630.
[0063] In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 17A-17B, the play
toy is a plush toy 1700 shaped three-dimensionally and made of a
plush fabric material. The plush toy 1700 includes a center body
1710, a head 1720, two arm/hands 1730, feet/legs 1740 and a hat
1750. The head 1720 includes eye, nose, mustache, mouth, and tooth
portions and is shaped to imitate the physical characteristics of
an animate figure. The head 1720, arms/hands 1730, feet/legs 1740
and hat 1750 are the non-braided parts of the plush toy 1700 and,
similar to other typical plush toys, are filled with cotton batting
or other filler to give consistent thickness and softness to these
parts.
[0064] The body 1710 is the braided part of the plush toy 1700 and
has opposite end portions 1711, 1712 and is made entirely of pieces
or strands of a plush fabric material formed generally in the same
manner and configuration as described above in connection with the
embodiment of FIG. 2A for the body 200 made of webbing material.
The non-braided portions are integrally attached to various parts
of the braided body 1710, such as by stitching. More specifically,
the head 1720 and the feet/legs 1740 are attached to the end
portions 1711, 1712, respectively, of the body 1710; the arms/hands
1730 are attached to opposite sides of the body 1710 at a position
closer to the head 1720 than to the feet/legs 1740; and the hat
1750 is attached (e.g., also by stitching) to a top part of the
head 1720.
[0065] FIG. 17B demonstrates an exemplary play mode of the plush
toy 1700. In this play mode, when the braided body 1710 is
stretched in the directions denoted by arrows El (i.e., by pulling
from the feet/legs 1740 and hat 1750 in opposite directions) from
the relaxed state shown in FIG. 17A, the braided body 1710 is
elongated vertically to increase the overall size of the plush toy
1700 while the hands/arms 1730 remain generally in the same
configuration as shown in the relaxed state of the plush toy 1700.
Other play modes are available for the plush toy 1700 by stretching
or pulling combinations of other parts of the braided and
non-braided parts of the plush toy 1700 as described above for the
plush toy 1600 in connection with FIGS. 16A-16E.
[0066] While the play toys described above are shaped to resemble
animate figures, it is appreciated that other figures are
available. In the foregoing embodiments of the play toys 1600 and
1700 shown in FIGS. 16A-16E and 17A-17B, various colors of the
plush fabric and patterns may be applied to distinguish the
features and body parts of a specific toy. It is also appreciated
that the combination of strands of different materials (e.g.,
plush/webbing, plush/rope, and plush/rubber tubing) in a braid,
particularly as described above with reference to FIGS. 10, 11, 13
and 15, imparts different textures on the same play toy for a
patterned look.
[0067] It is appreciated that the various play modes and
corresponding configurations of the plush toys 1600 and 1700 shown
in FIGS. 16A-16E and 17A-17B are facilitated by the combination of
the braided and non-braided parts forming the plush toys. In the
exemplary embodiments, such configurations are particularly
facilitated by forming the body 1610, 1710 of the respective plush
toys 1600, 1700 of braided plush fabric material.
[0068] It is understood that the modification to the braided bodies
described above with reference to FIGS. 9A-9B may be implemented in
any of the foregoing embodiments described above with reference to
FIGS. 10-17B. In this regard, the strands of the braided body may
be braided over an insert, such as a substantially flexible plastic
tubing or pre-molded structure, or otherwise encompass some inner
space within the braided body. Such inner space may further be
filled with filler materials, including cotton, synthetic fibers,
and the like. Likewise, while the mid-section of the play toys
shown in FIGS. 16A-17B employ only one braided body, it is
understood that the mid-section may be formed of a plurality of
braided bodies, such as the shown in the embodiment of FIG. 6.
[0069] In the foregoing embodiments, the plush material is
preferably a hypoallergenic plush material that is soft to the
touch, such as sheepskin, fleece, felt, cotton, velour, boa fabric,
tricot fiber, polyester fiber, cotton/polyester blends, or a
combination thereof. Both elastic and inelastic types of plush
materials are suitable for the braided bodies described above. When
an inelastic (i.e., non-stretch) plush material, such as acrylic or
modified acrylic pile, is used, the various play modes described
above which require stretching of the braided body can be
accomplished due to the construction of the braided bodies which
permit stretching between the braids formed by the pieces or
strands of plush material.
[0070] The play toys described above are suitable for pets for
playing fetch and pulling, such as a dogs. The plush toys, in
particular, are very soft and well suited for puppies with new
developing teeth, and add a different sensation in a pet's mouth
from hard materials like rubber and stiffer nylon fabrics.
Furthermore, plush materials also allow for the creation of figures
and characters such as those described above with reference to
FIGS. 16A-16E and 17A-17B. Additionally, plush materials allow for
the placement of conventional "squeekers" within the various
portions of the figures and characters, such as the head,
hands/arms, feet/legs and braided body, to emit a squeaky sound
when squeezed and thereby enhance the attractiveness of the play
toy.
[0071] The play toys described above are also suitable for use by
small children during play. As the braided bodies are generally
thin and narrow, they can be easily grasped and manipulated by
small hands of children and by children with special needs having
immature grips. Particularly, the play toys constructed in the
configurations shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 16A-16E provide for a
ring-like body (FIG. 6) or loop (FIGS. 7 and 16A-16E) that can be
easily grasped to manipulate the play toys. The play toys according
to the present invention, including the plush toys, can also be
held by children with one hand, whereas a large plush doll, for
example, would require two hands.
[0072] Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the
braided bodies of the play toys of the present invention may also
be used to fabricate other types of play toys for pets and
children. For example, one or more braided bodies may be used to
fabricate bone-shaped objects used as chew toys or disc-shaped
flying objects used as fetch toys, as well as various objects,
characters, and animate and inanimate figures for use by children
during play. Such play toys may also be scaled to accommodate the
pets and children of different age or size. In addition, the
braided bodies may also be used in combination with components
(e.g., balls or other pre-formed members) made using ballistic
nylon, canvas, vinyl, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and the like
materials.
[0073] The previous description of the invention is provided to
enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the invention.
Various modifications to the invention will be readily apparent to
those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein
may be applied to other variations without departing from the
spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the invention is not
intended to be limited to the examples described herein but is to
be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and
novel features disclosed herein.
* * * * *