U.S. patent application number 13/891010 was filed with the patent office on 2014-11-13 for illuminating stuffed toy.
This patent application is currently assigned to ONTEL PRODUCTS CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is ONTEL PRODUCTS CORPORATION. Invention is credited to ASHOK KHUBANI.
Application Number | 20140335757 13/891010 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51865106 |
Filed Date | 2014-11-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140335757 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KHUBANI; ASHOK |
November 13, 2014 |
ILLUMINATING STUFFED TOY
Abstract
An illuminating stuffed toy is provided having a body portion
with a fabric casing having light diffusing properties. The toy has
an interior cavity within the body portion for housing an
illuminating means including a strand of light emitting diodes
(LEDs). A means is provided including at least one flexible sheet,
for supporting and maintaining LEDs in a fixed two-dimensional
position in a plane within the interior cavity that is moveable
toward or away from the casing. The supporting means and fabric
casing are aligned to permit light to travel from the light
emitting diodes through the casing such that the toy illuminates to
imitate a depicted character.
Inventors: |
KHUBANI; ASHOK; (FAIRFIELD,
NJ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ONTEL PRODUCTS CORPORATION |
Fairfield |
NJ |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
ONTEL PRODUCTS CORPORATION
Fairfield
NJ
|
Family ID: |
51865106 |
Appl. No.: |
13/891010 |
Filed: |
May 9, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/219 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 3/006 20130101;
A63H 3/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/219 |
International
Class: |
A63H 3/02 20060101
A63H003/02; A63H 33/22 20060101 A63H033/22 |
Claims
1. A toy which emits a soft glow, comprising: a body portion having
a fabric casing with a predetermined light diffusing area; and at
least one flexible sheet housed within said body portion for
maintaining light emitting diodes in a fixed position in a plane,
wherein said light emitting diodes align with said light diffusing
area of said casing.
2. The toy of claim 1 wherein the at least one flexible sheet is
fixed in a two-dimensional position in said plane and moveable
toward or away from said casing.
3. A toy which emits a soft glow, comprising: a body portion having
a fabric casing with light diffusing properties; at least one
interior cavity within said body portion; illuminating means for
emitting light, housed within said at least one interior cavity;
and means for supporting and maintaining said illuminating means in
a fixed two dimensional position in a plane within said interior
cavity, wherein said supporting means supports said illuminating
means such that said illuminating means is aligned with said fabric
casing.
4. The toy of claim 3 wherein said fabric casing has an outside
surfaces having at least one predetermined illuminating area and an
inside surface.
5. The toy of claim 4 wherein said predetermined illuminating area
is at least in part substantially translucent.
6. The toy of claim 5 wherein said supporting means supports said
illuminating means such that said illuminating means is aligned
with said predetermined illuminating area of said fabric
casing.
7. The toy of claim 3 wherein said illuminating means includes a
strand of at least two light emitting diodes fastened together by a
connecting wire within said at least one interior cavity.
8. The toy of claim 7 wherein said supporting means includes an
upper membrane having at least two diode openings for accepting
diodes of the illuminating means therethrough, and having a lower
membrane for sandwiching said connecting wire between said upper
and lower membranes, and wherein the at least two diode openings
are larger than said diodes.
9. The toy of claim 3 wherein said illuminating means includes a
strand having at least one light emitting diode fastened thereto by
a connecting wire within said at least one interior cavity.
10. The toy of claim 9 wherein said supporting means includes at
least one flexible sheet having at least one diode opening for
accepting diodes of the illuminating means therethrough.
11. The toy of claim 3 further comprising pressure sensitive
switching means within said body portion configured to turn on and
turn off said illuminating means.
12. The toy of claim 11 further comprising circuit means within the
body portion having a timing circuit activated by actuating said
pressure sensitive switching means to automatically turn off said
illuminating means after a predetermined amount of time.
13. The toy of claim 12 further comprising a power source operably
connected to said illumination means and said circuit means within
said body portion of said toy.
14. The toy of claim 13 further comprising a manual switching means
operably connected with said circuit means and said power source
for allowing said pressure sensitive switching means to manually
turn on and off said illuminating means, and activate said timing
circuit for turning off said illuminating means after a
predetermined amount of time.
15. The toy of claim 4 wherein the outside surface includes a hook
and loop fastener for substantially allowing the body portion of
the toy to fold in half and emit light in a 360 degree pattern.
16. A stuffed toy which emits a soft glow, comprising: a body
portion having a fabric casing including an outside surface having
at least one predetermined illuminating area with light diffusing
properties and an inside surface; at least one interior cavity
within said body portion; illuminating means for emitting light,
having a strand of at least one light emitting diode fastened by a
connecting wire and housed within said at least one interior
cavity; means for supporting and maintaining said illuminating
means in a fixed two dimensional position in a plane within said
interior cavity, including at least one flexible sheet having at
least one diode opening for accepting diodes of the illuminating
means therethrough, and wherein the at least one diode opening is
larger than said diode, wherein said supporting means supports said
illuminating means such that said diodes are aligned with said
predetermined illuminating areas of said fabric casing; pressure
sensitive switching means within said body portion configured to
turn on and off said illuminating means; circuit means within said
body portion having timing means activated by actuating said
pressure sensitive switching means to automatically turn off said
illuminating means after a predetermined amount of time; and a
power source operably connected with said illuminating means and
said circuit means within said body portion of said stuffed toy,
whereby pressure on said pressure sensitive switching means
activates said power source, furnishing current to said diodes such
that light emitted therefrom within said body portion is directed
against said inside surface of said fabric casing, resulting in at
least one softly backlit illuminating area at said outside surface
of said fabric casing.
17. The toy of claim 16 wherein the at least one flexible sheet is
moveable toward or away from said casing.
18. The toy of claim 16 further comprising a manual switching means
operably connected to said circuit means and said power source for
allowing said pressure sensitive switching means to manually turn
on and off said illuminating means, and activate said timing
circuit for turning off said illuminating means after a
predetermined amount of time.
19. The toy of claim 16 wherein the outside surface includes a hook
and loop fastener for substantially allowing the body portion to
fold in half and emit light in a 360 degree pattern.
Description
NOTICE OF COPYRIGHT PROTECTION
[0001] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document and its
figures contain material subject to copyright protection. The
copyright owner has no objection to the reproduction by anyone of
the patent document or the patent disclosure, but otherwise
reserves all copyrights whatsoever.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates generally to toys and more
particularly to a stuffed toy imitating an animal, person or figure
having a portion that illuminates for the amusement of
children.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Children everywhere are entertained by plush toys. Plush
toys that illuminate are even more fascinating for youngsters and
can provide hours of enjoyment both in light and dark spaces. The
illuminating toy of the present invention is combined with a unique
plush pillow imitating a lovable character and together provides an
ideal sleep aid. Conventional illuminating toys function with
lights randomly suspended within the plush toy. While this art is
functional, it does not further the functional design and aesthetic
tributes of an illuminating plush toy, nor does it inherently suit
the purpose of the present device. The present invention provides a
functional means of housing the illumination means properly within
the device and also provides additional amusement and comfort.
[0006] While these units may be suitable for the particular purpose
employed, or for general use, conventional illuminating devices are
not suitable for the purposes of the present invention as disclosed
hereafter.
[0007] It is, therefore, a primary object of the present invention
to provide a stuffed toy that imitates the appearance of an animal,
person or figure having a portion that illuminates to create a
soothing soft glow.
[0008] It is another object of the present invention to provide an
illuminating toy that has a plush pillow casing for comfortably
aiding a child in falling asleep.
[0009] It is another object of the present invention to provide an
illuminating stuffed toy that a child may freely squish, bend,
bang, throw, lie on, fold, flex, and hug without disrupting the
positioning of light emitting diodes (LEDs) therein.
[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide
means within an interior cavity of the toy for supporting and two
dimensionally restricting the position of LEDs therein such that
the LEDs are sandwiched between an upper and lower membrane.
[0011] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
toy wherein the supporting means is aligned with the fabric casing
such that the diodes fixed within the supporting means emit light
through predetermined illuminating areas of the stuffed toy, while
being held in a fixed two dimensional position within a plane.
[0012] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
timing means for automatically turning off the illuminating portion
of the toy after a predetermined amount of time.
[0013] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
toy that fosters a peaceful and beautiful environment for falling
asleep.
[0014] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
toy with an illuminating means capable of emitting light outwardly
from the toy substantially 360 degrees, while simultaneously
imitating an animal standing up.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a
toy is provided which emits a soft glow. The toy includes a body
portion having a fabric casing with a predetermined light diffusing
area, and at least one flexible sheet housed within the body
portion for maintaining light emitting diodes in a fixed position
in a plane. Herein, the light emitting diodes align with the light
diffusing area of the casing. The at least one flexible sheet is
fixed two-dimensional position in the plane and moveable toward or
away from the casing.
[0016] In accordance with an additional embodiment a toy is
provided that emits a soft glow having a body portion having a
fabric casing with light diffusing properties. The toy includes at
least one interior cavity within the body portion. Illuminating
means is provided for emitting light, housed within the at least
one interior cavity. Means is provided for supporting and
maintaining the illuminating means in a fixed two-dimensional
position in a plane within the interior cavity. The supporting
means supports the illuminating means such that the illuminating
means is aligned with the fabric casing.
[0017] The fabric casing of the toy has an outside surfaces having
at least one predetermined illuminating area and an inside
surface.
[0018] The predetermined illuminating area of the toy is at least
in part substantially translucent.
[0019] The supporting means of the toy supports the illuminating
means such that the illuminating means is aligned with the
predetermined illuminating area of the fabric casing.
[0020] The illuminating means of the toy includes a strand of at
least two light emitting diodes fastened together by a connecting
wire within the at least one interior cavity. The supporting means
of the toy includes an upper membrane having at least two diode
openings for accepting diodes of the illuminating means
therethrough, and having a lower membrane for sandwiching the
connecting wire between the upper and lower membranes, and wherein
the at least two diode openings are larger than the diodes.
[0021] The illuminating means of the toy includes a strand having
at least one light emitting diode fastened thereto by a connecting
wire within the at least one interior cavity. The supporting means
includes at least one flexible sheet having at least one diode
opening for accepting diodes of the illuminating means
therethrough.
[0022] The toy includes a pressure sensitive switching means within
the body portion configured to turn on and turn off the
illuminating means.
[0023] The toy includes circuit means within the body portion
having a timing circuit activated by actuating the pressure
sensitive switching means to automatically turn off the
illuminating means after a predetermined amount of time.
[0024] The toy includes a power source operably connected to the
illumination means and the circuit means within the body portion of
the toy.
[0025] The toy includes a manual switching means operably connected
with the circuit means and the power source for allowing the
pressure sensitive switching means to manually turn on and off the
illuminating means, and activate the timing circuit for turning off
the illuminating means after a predetermined amount of time.
[0026] The outside surface of the toy includes a hook and loop
fastener for substantially allowing the body portion of the toy to
fold in half and emit light in a 360 degree pattern.
[0027] In accordance with an additional embodiment, a stuffed toy
is provided which emits a soft glow. The toy includes a body
portion having a fabric casing including an outside surface having
at least one predetermined illuminating area with light diffusing
properties and an inside surface. The toy includes at least one
interior cavity within the body portion. Illuminating means is
provided for emitting light, having a strand of at least one light
emitting diode fastened by a connecting wire and housed within the
at least one interior cavity. Means is provided for supporting and
maintaining the illuminating means in a fixed two-dimensional
position in a plane within the interior cavity. The supporting
means includes at least one flexible sheet having at least one
diode opening for accepting diodes of the illuminating means
therethrough, and wherein the at least one diode opening is larger
than the diode. The supporting means supports the illuminating
means such that the diodes are aligned with the predetermined
illuminating areas of the fabric casing. A pressure sensitive
switching means is provided within the body portion and is
configured to turn on and off the illuminating means. A circuit
means within the body portion has timing means activated by
actuating the pressure sensitive switching means to automatically
turn off the illuminating means after a predetermined amount of
time. A power source operably connected with the illuminating means
and the circuit means is provided within the body portion of the
stuffed toy. Pressure on the pressure sensitive switching means
activates the power source, furnishing current to the diodes such
that light emitted therefrom within the body portion is directed
against the inside surface of the fabric casing, resulting in at
least one softly backlit illuminating area at the outside surface
of the fabric casing.
[0028] The at least one flexible sheet of the toy is moveable
toward or away from the casing.
[0029] The toy includes a manual switching means operably connected
to the circuit means and the power source for allowing the pressure
sensitive switching means to manually turn on and off the
illuminating means, and activate the timing circuit for turning off
the illuminating means after a predetermined amount of time.
[0030] The outside surface of the toy includes a hook and loop
fastener for substantially allowing the body portion to fold in
half and emit light in a 360 degree pattern.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] To these and to such other objects that may hereinafter
appear, the present invention relates to an illuminating stuffed
toy as described in detail in the following specification and
recited in the annexed claims, taken together with the accompanying
drawings, in which like numerals refer to like parts in which:
[0032] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the illuminating stuffed toy
of the present invention;
[0033] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of supporting means for
supporting light emitting diodes of the illuminating stuffed toy of
FIG. 1;
[0034] FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the illuminating
stuffed toy of FIG. 1 standing up via a hook and loop fastener;
[0035] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the interior cavity of
the stuffed toy of FIG. 1 wherein upper and lower membranes of the
supporting means are illustrated; and
[0036] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a compartment for housing
circuit means, timing means and power source of the illuminating
stuffed toy of FIG. 1.
[0037] To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the
invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the
accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact, however,
that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are
contemplated as being part of the invention, limited only by the
scope of the claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0038] FIGS. 1-5 illustrate the present invention directed to a
stuffed or plush toy 10 for entertaining children. For purposes of
this description, a form of the invention involving a stuffed dog
animal will be used, though the present invention applies to
alternate imitations including but not limited to animals, people,
figurines, objects and other forms of stuffed toys, as well as
alternate shapes and sizes.
[0039] FIG. 1 illustrates the toy 10 including a head 11 and a body
portion 12 having at least one interior cavity 14 and a fabric
casing having light diffusing properties. Preferably, the casing 16
is made of fabric, mesh, plastic, or other like material. The
interior cavity 14 is housed within the casing 16 having an outside
surface 18 and an inside surface 20. The outside surface 18 has at
least one predetermined illuminating area 22 that is preferably at
least in part substantially translucent. Other areas of the outside
surface 18 may be opaque, and/or partially translucent. Preferably,
the outside surface 18 of the casing 16 is a soft plush fabric
pillow or mesh material configured to limit transmission of light
to a soft glow for subtly depicting a well-known animal, character,
figure or image.
[0040] The different areas of the outside surface 18 of the casing
16 selectively illuminate to varying degrees, or remain completely
dark, based on material chosen. This allows the casing 16 of the
body portion 12 to highlight different colors, shapes or designs of
the character being imitated by the toy. For example, if the toy 10
is a ladybug stuffed animal, the outside surface of the casing 16
may include a plurality of opaque black dots that prohibited light
from shining through, with all areas in between being translucent
red material. When the body portion of the ladybug illuminates, all
translucent red material areas will glow and the black dots will
remain dark thereby illustrating a glowing ladybug stuffed
animal.
[0041] FIG. 2 illustrates the illuminating means 30 housed within
the interior cavity 14 for emitting light through the toy. The
illuminating means 30 is preferably a strand of light emitting
diodes (LEDs) 32 fastened together by a connecting wire 34. The
LEDs may be white or any other color, and based on the design
considerations may or may not be the same color throughout the
entire strand. In the preferred embodiment, the illuminating means
30 is designed about means 36 for supporting and maintaining the
LEDs in a fixed, two dimensional, position in a plane that is
moveable toward or away from the casing 16. The means 36 restricts
the positioning of the LEDs within the toy, such that movement of
the LEDs is fixed within the interior cavity 14 when a child plays
with the body portion 12 of the toy 10. The child may freely
squish, bend, bang, throw, lie on, fold, flex, and hug, for
example, the toy 10 without disrupting the alignment of the LEDs
within the interior cavity 14. In an alternate embodiment, the
illuminating means includes a strand having at least one light
emitting diode fastened thereto by a connecting wire within said at
least one interior cavity.
[0042] FIG. 3 illustrates the plush outside surface 18 of the
casing 16 of the toy including a hook and loop fastener 18A for
substantially allowing the body portion 12 of the toy 10 to fold in
half, thereby depicting the imitated animal standing up. This
provides the illuminating means 30 the ability to emit light
outwardly in substantially a 360-degree pattern, while
simultaneously imitating an animal standing up.
[0043] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the body portion
illustrating the supporting means 36, made up of at least one
flexible sheet, foil, screen, membrane or other like material. In
the preferred embodiment, the support means includes an upper
membrane 38 and a lower membrane 40 made of lightweight thin mesh
fabric. The upper membrane 38 includes a plurality of openings 42,
larger in circumference than each diode, for accepting a diode
therethrough. In an alternate embodiment, when the supporting means
36 is one flexible sheet, there includes at least one opening 42
for accepting diodes therethrough.
[0044] Preferably during assembly, the strand of LEDs 32 is
positioned about a custom made jig or pattern support tool. The jig
is used to control the location of the LEDs before being sandwiched
between the membranes 38, 40. A plurality of different jigs is
designed for accommodating different kinds of toys 10 of the
present invention. For example, the ladybug stuffed animal with
illuminating translucent red material and opaque black dots, as
discussed supra, is created by having a corresponding jig for
appropriately positioning the LEDs 32 within the supporting means
36 before placement within the interior cavity 14 of the body
portion 12 of the toy 10. By appropriately aligning the LEDs of the
supporting means with the corresponding fabric casing a realistic
imitation is achieved. A dog stuffed toy will have its own
corresponding jig, which may be different from the jig used for the
ladybug toy, and both may be different from other characters or
shapes, depending on the selected character, casing design and
glowing areas.
[0045] After the jig positions the LEDs for the specific toy being
created, the strand of LEDs 32 is placed on the lower membrane 40.
Then the upper membrane 38 is placed on top of the lower membrane
40 and sandwiches the connecting wire 34 therebetween, while
allowing the LEDs to extend up through the openings 42 in the upper
membrane 38. The upper and lower membranes 38, 40 of the supporting
means 36 are substantially attached at predetermined locations
preferably by a heat-sealing method. The method creates a plurality
of dashed heat sealed lines 44 forming channels 46 horizontally
across the means 36. These channels 46 hold the connecting wire 34
in elongated position, and prohibit the LEDs from moving
horizontally or vertically from the designated openings 42.
Together the LEDs of the supporting means 36 and the fabric casing
16 are aligned to guide emitted light from the LEDs through the
predetermined illuminating areas 22 of the casing to achieve
optimum illumination.
[0046] The supporting means 36 together with the illuminating means
30 described above is placed within the interior cavity 14 of the
body portion 12 of the toy 10. Additional plush stuffing may be
inserted into the cavity 14 around the supporting means 36. In
alternate embodiments, the supporting 36 and illuminating means 30
may be inserted into different portions of the toy as desired, for
example into the head, face, legs, tail or any other portion or
combination thereof.
[0047] A pressure sensitive switching means 50 of the present
invention, shown in FIG. 1, is used to turn on and off the
illuminating means 30. Preferably, the pressure sensitive switching
means 50 is a button inserted into the interior cavity 14 at a
predetermined location, depicted by a corresponding symbol shown on
the outside surface 19 of the casing so that children recognize
where the actuation button is located and where to depress for
activating and deactivating illumination of the toy 10.
[0048] FIG. 5 illustrates a compartment 62 for housing a circuit
means 52, having a timing means 56. The circuit means and timing
means 52, 56 are in operably connected to the pressure sensitive
switching means 50. When activated by the pressure sensitive
switching means 50, the timing means 56 automatically turns off the
illuminating means 30 after a predetermined amount of time, unless
the pressure sensitive switching means 50 is depressed again to
turn the toy 10 off sooner. The circuit means 52 has at least one,
but preferably three setting positions, independently activated by
a manual switching means 54. The first position is "timer," the
second position is "on," and the third position is "off." When the
switch 54 of the circuit means 52 is in the "timing" position,
depressing the pressure sensitive switching means 50 activates the
timing means 56 and allows the illuminating means 30 to emit light
for a predetermined amount of time before automatically turning
off. When the switch 54 of the circuit means 52 is in the "on"
position, the pressure sensitive switching means 50 is manually
depressed to selectively turn on and off the illumination means 30.
When the switch 54 of the circuit means 52 is in the "off"
position, power is not supplied to the illuminating means 30, thus
keeping the toy from illuminating regardless of whether the
pressure switching means 50 is depressed.
[0049] A power source 60 is included within the body portion 12 of
the toy and is operably connected to the illumination means 30 and
the circuit means 52 for illuminating said illumination means 30.
In the preferred embodiment, the power source 60 is housed within
the compartment 62 within the interior cavity 14 of the body
portion 12 of the toy 10. The power source 60 can be for example,
but not limited to, one or more batteries, a watch battery, AA or
AAA alkaline batteries, or a lithium battery. Preferably, the
compartment 62 houses three "AAA" batteries, held in position
between spacers. The batteries are secured within the compartment
by a holder plate 64 that provides closure to the compartment 62.
Different power source compartments, configurations and sources are
contemplated, including an arrangement that supplies different
voltages, including but not limited to, solar power, wind power,
chemical power, DC power sources, rechargeable batteries, and AC
adapters with jack and power.
[0050] The compartment 62 is easily reached within the body portion
12, preferably by a zipper 12A, for changing the batteries or
changing the setting of the manual switching means 54.
[0051] When the manual switching means 54 is in the "on" or
"timing" position and the pressure sensitive switching means 50 is
depressed, the power source 60 is automatically activated and
furnishes current to the LEDs such that light emitted therefrom
within the interior cavity 14 is directed against the inner surface
of the casing 16, resulting in at least one softly backlit
illuminating area 22 at the outside surface of the casing 16. When
the manual switching means 54 is in the "off" position, the power
source 60 is blocked from activation.
[0052] In conclusion, herein is presented the illuminating stuffed
toy for emitting a soft glow. The invention is illustrated by
example in the drawing figures, and throughout the written
description. It should be understood that numerous variations are
possible, while adhering to the inventive concept. Such variations
are contemplated as being a part of the present invention. While
only one preferred embodiment of the present invention has been
disclosed for purposes of illustration, it is obvious that many
modifications and variations could be made thereto. It is intended
to cover all of those modifications and variations, which fall
within the scope of the present invention as defined by the
following claims.
* * * * *