US20210001237A1

US20210001237A1 - Stuffed animal toy assembly

Info

Publication number: US20210001237A1
Application number: US16/821,970
Authority: US
Inventors: Marilyn S. Satterthwaite; Jerry L. Satterthwaite
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-03-11
Filing date: 2020-03-17
Publication date: 2021-01-07

Abstract

A toy animal system; the toy animal includes a first toy, a second toy, and a toy housing. Preferably, the first toy resembles an adult penguin; the second toy resembles a penguin chick; and the toy housing resembles an egg. The toy animal is nestable whereby the egg opens to receive the second toy and the first toy includes a compartment to receive the egg housing the second toy therein.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is related to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/816,404 filed Mar. 11, 2019, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of toys and more specifically relates to stuffed toys.

2. DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

A stuffed toy is a play device with an outer fabric sewn from a textile and stuffed with flexible material such as cotton. Stuffed toys can take on a variety of forms from human dolls to animals. Throughout history, stuffed animals have been common toys for children such as sock monkeys and “teddy bears”. Generally, stuffed toys are utilized as a form of entertainment for children, comfort devices, displays, gifts for graduations and birthdays, and/or collector items. However, stuffed toys should be able to be utilized far beyond a mild form of entertainment. They should be provided as multi-functional educational and interactive tools for teaching children the importance of a particular subject. However, subject material for such toys can be bland and uninspired. Therefore, a suitable solution is desired.
U.S. Pub. No. 2008/0220688 to Jarret Peter Cuisinier relates to a stuffed toy. The described stuffed toy provides a user with a storage pouch. For example, the stuffed toy may comprise a pouch located near the abdomen of the stuffed toy and this pouch may further comprise a locking opening. A user may then store toys or other objects in the pouch securely.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known toy art, the present disclosure provides a novel stuffed animal toy assembly. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a set of stuffed toys resembling that of an adult penguin, a penguin chick, and an egg able to be nested within one another.
A toy animal is disclosed herein. The toy animal includes a first toy configured to functionally and usefully resemble an adult animal. The first toy may include a first head, a first body and a first pair of feet and the first toy may include a compartment located within the first body; the compartment may include a compartment capacity. A second toy may be provided and configured to functionally and usefully resemble a baby animal. The second toy may include a second head, a second body, and a second pair of feet.
A toy housing may also be provided and configured to functionally and usefully resemble an egg. The toy housing may include an egg inner-capacity defined by an egg outer-shell, an open top, and a lid to cover the open top. The inner-capacity may be sized to receive the second toy, and the toy housing may be sized to fit in the compartment capacity, the toy animal may have nesting capability.
A method of using the toy animal is also disclosed herein. The method of using this toy animal may comprise the steps of: providing the toy animal; placing the second toy within the inner-capacity of the toy housing; closing the lid over the open top of the toy housing; placing the toy housing within the compartment capacity of the first toy; selectively removing the toy housing from the compartment capacity of the first toy; opening the lid from the open top of the toy housing; selectively removing the second toy from the inner-capacity of the toy housing; and playing with the first toy and the second toy.
For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a stuffed animal toy assembly, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the toy animal during an ‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the toy animal of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the toy animal of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4A is a side-front perspective view of the toy animal of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4B is a side-front perspective view of the toy animal of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of use for the toy animal, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to toys and more particularly to a stuffed animal toy assembly as used to improve and expand the multi-functional use of stuffed toys.
Generally, disclosed is a stuffed animal toy assembly which may include an adult penguin, a penguin chick, and an egg. The egg may be used for holding the penguin chick. The adult penguin may be provided with a closable internal cavity for holding the egg therein. The cavity and egg may be shaped and dimensioned in such a way that the egg can be removably inserted into the cavity. Likewise, the egg may be able to contain the penguin chick. In some embodiments, the internal cavity is selectively closed via a zippered fastener. In this way, the egg holds the penguin chick and the adult penguin can then hold the egg. The closure for the internal cavity may be located in between the feet of the adult penguin. The position of the closure and the internal cavity may be significant to simulate the way an actual penguin keeps their eggs and offspring warm (i.e., under the adult penguin).
The stuffed animal toy assembly may simulate the way adult penguins care for their offspring from the time they are hatched. While the present embodiment includes a set of stuffed toys resembling a penguin, it should be noted that the stuffed animal toy assembly can be any type of animal having an egg or pouch and a baby/offspring which the disclosed combination of components and structural features that enable the described relationships between the toy components is concentrated. In accordance with these dimensional relationships, the offspring toy, the egg toy, and the adult toy may be able to be nested within one another. The adult penguin and the penguin chick may include one or more features simulating that of an actual penguin (e.g., flippers, beak, eyes, feet, etc.). The adult penguin may be larger in size than the penguin chick. The adult penguin and the penguin chick can include a soft felt exterior and cotton stuffing interior. However, a variety of textile materials may be utilized during manufacturing.
The egg may include an egg top to facilitate storage and removal of the penguin chick. The egg top may include a tab for keeping the egg top partially connected to the egg when opened. The tab may be connected to an internal surface of the egg at one end and the egg top at the opposing end. The egg may be substantially oval shaped and sized to fit into the adult penguin. Further, the egg contains cloth or plastic. The exact specifications, materials used, and method of using the stuffed animal toy assembly may vary upon manufacturing.
Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1-4, various views of a toy animal 100.
FIG. 1 shows a toy animal 100 during an ‘in-use’ condition 150, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As Illustrated, the toy animal 100 may include a first toy 110, a second toy 120 and a toy housing 130.
FIG. 2 shows a front perspective view of the toy animal 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The first toy 110 may be configured to functionally and usefully resemble an adult animal Preferably, as shown, the adult animal may be an adult penguin. However, the first toy 110 is not limited to just being an adult penguin; any adult animal may be used. As shown, the first toy 110 may include a first head 112, a first body 114 and a first pair of feet 116. The second toy 120 may be configured to functionally and usefully resemble a baby animal. Preferably, the baby animal may be a penguin chick. However, the second toy 120 is not limited to just being a penguin chick; any baby animal may be used. As shown the second toy 120 may include a second head 122, a second body 124, and a second pair of feet 126.
The first toy 110 may include a first toy outer-shell 111 made from a first soft textile material, and the second toy 120 may include a second toy outer-shell 121 made from a second soft textile material. In one embodiment, the first soft textile material may be plush material. Further, the second soft textile material may be the plush material. In one embodiment, the first soft textile material may be the same as the second soft textile material. In another embodiment, the first soft textile material may be different to the second soft textile material. For example, the second soft textile material may be a softer material, to simulate the difference between a baby animals' fur, hair, etc. as compared to an adult animals' fur, hair, etc. Preferably, the first toy 110 and the second toy 120 may be stuffed.
FIG. 3 shows a bottom perspective view of the toy animal 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the first toy 110 may further include a compartment 118 located within the first body 114. In one embodiment, the compartment 118 may be located at a bottom of the first toy 110. However, it is not limited to the bottom of the first toy 110. For example, the compartment 118 may be located on a stomach area of the first body 114. The compartment 118 may include a fastener 117. In one embodiment, the fastener 117 may be a zipping fastener. However, other fasteners are contemplated. Such as buttons, snap fasteners, hook and loop fasteners, etc. Further, the compartment 118 may include a compartment capacity. The toy housing 130 (FIG. 2) may be sized to fit in the compartment capacity.
FIGS. 4A-4B show side-front perspective views of the toy animal 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The toy housing 130 may be configured to functionally and usefully resemble an egg. The toy housing 130 may include an egg inner-capacity 132 defined by an egg outer-shell 134, an open top 136, and a lid 138 to cover the open top 136. In one embodiment, the toy housing 130 may be a plastic material, or at least include the plastic material. In another embodiment, the toy housing 130 may be a cloth material, or include the cloth material. In some embodiments, the toy housing 130 may include both the plastic material and the cloth material. However, the toy housing 130 is not limited to just plastic material or cloth material. As shown, the lid 138 may be attached to the egg outer-shell 134. In one embodiment, the lid 138 may be attached to the egg outer-shell 134 via a tab 139. The tab 139 may create a hinge connection between the lid 138 and toy housing 130. In another embodiment, the lid 138 may be attached to the egg outer-shell 134 via a second zipping fastener (not shown).
Preferably, the toy animal 100 may have nesting capability. The egg inner-capacity 132 may be sized to receive the second toy 120, and as above, the toy housing 130 may be sized to fit in the compartment capacity 119 (FIG. 3).
FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of using a toy animal 500, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the method of using a toy animal 500 may include the steps of: providing 501 the toy animal; placing 502 the second toy within the inner-capacity of the toy housing; closing 503 the lid over the open top of the toy housing; placing 504 the toy housing within the compartment capacity of the first toy; selectively removing 505 the toy housing from the compartment capacity of the first toy; opening 506 the lid from the open top of the toy housing; selectively removing 507 the second toy from the inner-capacity of the toy housing; and playing 508 with the first toy and the second toy. A further step may include: selectively placing 509 the second toy within the compartment capacity of the first toy, without the toy housing.
It should be noted that step 509 is an optional step and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method of use 500 are illustrated using dotted lines in FIG. so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method of use 500. It should also be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for toy animal 100 (e.g., different step orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc.), are taught herein.
The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.

Claims

What is claimed is new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:

1. A toy animal comprising:

a first toy configured to functionally and usefully resemble an adult animal, the first toy including a first head, a first body and a first pair of feet, the first toy further including a compartment located within the first body, the compartment including a compartment capacity;

a second toy configured to functionally and usefully resemble a baby animal, the second toy including a second head, a second body, and a second pair of feet; and

a toy housing configured to functionally and usefully resemble an egg, the toy housing including an egg inner-capacity defined by an egg outer-shell, an open top, and a lid to cover the open top, the egg inner-capacity being sized to receive the second toy, and wherein the toy housing is sized to fit in the compartment capacity, the toy animal having nesting capability.

2. The toy animal of claim 1, wherein the adult animal is an adult penguin.

3. The toy animal of claim 1, wherein the baby animal is a penguin chick.

4. The toy animal of claim 1, wherein the compartment is located at a bottom of the first toy.

5. The toy animal of claim 4, wherein the compartment includes a fastener.

6. The toy animal of claim 5, wherein the fastener is a first zipping fastener.

7. The toy animal of claim 1, wherein the first toy includes a first toy outer-shell made from a first soft textile material.

8. The toy animal of claim 1, wherein the second toy includes a second toy outer-shell made from a second soft textile material.

9. The toy animal of claim 7, wherein the first soft textile material is plush material.

10. The toy animal of claim 8, wherein the second soft textile material is the plush material.

11. The toy animal of claim 1, wherein the first toy and the second toy are stuffed.

12. The toy animal of claim 1, wherein the toy housing is a plastic material.

13. The toy animal of claim 1, wherein the toy housing is a cloth material.

14. The toy animal of claim 1, wherein the lid is attached to the egg outer-shell.

15. The toy animal of claim 14, wherein the lid is attached to the egg outer-shell via a tab.

16. The toy animal of claim 14, wherein the lid is attached to the egg outer-shell via a second zipping fastener.

17. The toy animal of claim 1, wherein the egg inner-capacity is sized to fully enclose the second toy.

18. A toy animal comprising:

a first toy configured to functionally and usefully resemble an adult penguin, the first toy including a first head, a first body and a first pair of feet, the first toy further including a compartment located within the first body, the compartment including a compartment capacity;

a second toy configured to functionally and usefully resemble a penguin chick, the second toy including a second head, a second body, and a second pair of feet; and

a toy housing configured to functionally and usefully resemble an egg, the toy housing including an egg inner-capacity defined by an egg outer-shell, an open top, and a lid to cover the open top, the inner-capacity being sized to receive the second toy, and wherein the toy housing is sized to fit in the compartment capacity; and

wherein the compartment is located at a bottom of the first toy;

wherein the compartment includes a fastener;

wherein the fastener is a first zipping fastener;

wherein the first toy includes a first toy outer-shell made from a first soft textile material;

wherein the second toy includes a second toy outer-shell made from a second soft textile material;

wherein the first toy and the second toy are stuffed;

wherein the lid is attached to the egg outer-shell; and

wherein the egg inner-capacity is sized to fully enclose the second toy, the toy animal having nesting capability.

19. A method of using a toy animal, the method comprising the steps of:

providing the toy animal including:

a first toy configured to resemble an adult animal, the first toy including a first head, a first body and a first pair of feet, the first toy further including a compartment located within the first body, the compartment including a compartment capacity;

a second toy configured to resemble a baby animal, the second toy including a second head, a second body, and a second pair of feet; and

a toy housing configured to resemble an egg, the toy housing including an egg inner-capacity defined by an egg outer-shell, an open top, and a lid to cover the open top, the inner-capacity being sized to receive the second toy, and wherein the toy housing is sized to fit in the compartment capacity; and

placing the second toy within the inner-capacity of the toy housing;

closing the lid over the open top of the toy housing;

placing the toy housing within the compartment capacity of the first toy;

selectively removing the toy housing from the compartment capacity of the first toy;

opening the lid from the open top of the toy housing;

selectively removing the second toy from the inner-capacity of the toy housing; and

playing with the first toy and the second toy.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of:

selectively placing the second toy within the compartment capacity of the first toy, without the toy housing.