GB2412781A

GB2412781A - Toy teddy bear having anatomical organs

Info

Publication number: GB2412781A
Application number: GB0505890A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Amanda Wong
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-03-31
Filing date: 2005-03-23
Publication date: 2005-10-05
Also published as: GB0505890D0; GB0407214D0

Abstract

A toy apparatus, preferably in the form of a teddy bear, has at least one cavity for the location of one or more anatomical shaped structures, e.g. organs such as brain 20, liver, lungs, heart, bones 36, etc. Closure and/or engagement means are provided for closing the cavity and/or engaging objects in the cavity. User actuation means in the form of toy medical implements may be provided. Audio and/or visual indication means may be associated with each of the anatomical structures and sensors may be provided to detect user actuation means. Closure means may be in the form of zips, clips, hook and loop fastener, press studs, stitching or adhesive.

Description

1 2412781 Tov Apparatus ['his invention relates to toy apparatus, and

particularly although not necessarily exclusively to toy apparatus including a toy in the form of a person or animal with anatomical structures provided therein.

it is known to provide toys that can be used as educational aids to encourage children to learn about animals, people or professions. In addition, toys can also be used to help alleviate or remove a child's fear or phobia, such as for example, by allowing the child to interact with a toy in a way in which a doctor or dentist for example may interact with the child, the child thereby becoming familiar with implements and techniques used in these professions such that a fear or phobia previously . . . ' associated with the same may be overcome. A..

A An example of a toy which could be used by a child to help . them understand the internal anatomy of an animal is described in US4822285. 'lilac toy is in the form of a stuffed animal which . has an abdominal cavity covered by a flap. The flap can be I'. . secured in a closed position by a zipper or Vlil,CRO,;tuffed fabric internal organs are removably located in the abdominal cavity which can be extracted by a child to teach the child the name of the organ part and/or the location of the organ part.

Whilst this toy has some educational purpose, it relates only to an animal and therefore a child may still have difficulties associating the same with their own anatomy or with their own fear or phobia, the stuffed organs arc not located in the aldominal cavity in an anatomical manner and the stuffed organs relate to only soft tissue organs. As such, this toy is likely to be of only limited interest to the child, have limited educational value and is unlikely to help remove any fear or phobia a child may have associated with, for example, having an operation or similar.

It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide a toy which can provide an improved educational tool and which can be used by a child to remove a fear or phobia by requiring increased interaction of the child therewith.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided toy Apparatus, said toy apparatus including a toy having at least one cavity defined therein for the location of one or more objects in the form of one or more anatomical shaped toy structures and closure and/or engagement means for closing said cavity, for engaging said closure means in a closed condition and/or for engaging said objects in said cavity or to tither <-objects in said cavity, and wherein said toy apparatus a'' further includes user actuation means for interaction with said A' . closure and/or engagement means for allowing opening and/or closing of said closure means and/or for allowing engagement or disengagement of said engagement means.

Alphas, the present invention requires the user of the toy, typically a child, to interact with the toy using means in the form of the user actuation means in order to access the anatomical shaped toy structures, such as organs, remove or replace the structures and/or to close the cavity or cavities in the toy, thereby more realistically simulating a medical procedure performed by a medical practitioner. As such, the child is more likely to become familiar with such procedures and overcome any fears they may have associated with the same.

Preferably the user actuation means are in the form of one or more medical implement shaped toy structures.

The user actuation means are typically detachably attached to the closure and/or engagement means in use. Preferably the user actuation means are required to be held by a user of the toy and located with the engagement means to allow manipulation thereof to either release or engage said engagement means. For example, the user actuation means typically has to be brought into engagement with said engagement means in a particular direction or manner to allow manipulation of said engagement means. ('ripping means can be provided on the user actuation means to allow a user to easily grip the same.

Connection of the user actuation means with the engagement means in cane embodiment is typically a reverse procedure to release of said engagement means.

, In one embodiment the user actuation means is provided with . ë-hook means for hooking the same through or in one or more : apertures, annular members or recesses provided with the e engagement means. For example, the user actuation means can be provided with a crotchet type of hook for location in said :: apertures, annular members or recesses for removing the same from one or more projections which they are engaged therewith.

Preferably the anatomical shaped toy structures can be in the form of any or any combination of internal soft tissue organs, bones, muscles, blood vessels and/or the like.

lihe anatomical structures can be formed from a substantially rigid material, such as wood, plastic or metal and/or can be formed from a more flexible material, such as fabric, stuffed fabric, rubber ancl/or the like.

In one embodiment one or more bone structures in the toy are engaged together, such as for example, the sternum of the rib cage, the femur and tibia and/or the like. The user actuation means can be used to release said engagement means, thereby allowing said rib cage to be opened or separated.

l'referably the rib cage formation located within the cavity of the toy houses one or more organs and said organs arc accessed typically by opening car releasing engagement means on the rib cage formation. Thus, in one example, the rib cage formation defines a separate compartment within said cavity.

Preferably the closure means provided to access each of said cavities are located in a position substantially similar to the position in which an incision would be made in surgery to access one or more required anatomical structures. .

2 In one embodiment a plurality of cavities are provided in the toy.

. 'lhc cavities arc typically located at spaced apart intervals on the : toy to allow access to different anatomical structures within the . toy. For example a cavity can be provided in the head of the toy, in the abdomen of the toy, in the arms or legs of the toy and/or :. the like. The cavities can be in communication other cavities or I'd' can be provided separately thereto.

Each of the plurality of cavities can be provided with different shaped anatomical toy structures provided therein. The anatomical shaped toy structures can be unique to a particular c levity.

In one embodiment indication means are provided on the anatomical shaped toy structures and said indication means correspond to unique indication means associated with each of the cavities, thereby allowing a user to place the correct toy structures in the correct cavities.

The indication means can include any suitable visual and/or audio indication means. For example, the visual indication means can include any colour, shape, design, images, photographs, texture, text, symbols and/or the like to allow the user tic locate the structures in the required location, cavity and/or position within the toy.

A book, tape, manual or similar audio and/or visual aid can be provided with the toy to allow information relating to the anatomical structures and/or release/closure of said engagement means to be explained to the user of the toy.

l n one embodiment the toy is provided with audio generating means for generating audio. 'l'he audio generating means can include power supply means, electronic circuitry, memory, , micro-processing means and/or speaker means to allow sound to . .'' be generated from the toy. c.. .

Preferably the power supply means includes one or more electrical connections for connection to a mains power supply or I:, one or more batteries, rechargeable or otherwise. ë.. b

Preferably the audio is generated in response to manipulation of the toy in a particular manner, such as for example, on opening or closing of said closure means, on contact of the toy with user actuation means and/or similar. l'he audio can be in the form of any noise, such as one or more beeps, simulated or recorded speech and/or the like.

One <' r more of the anatomical toy structures can be provided with a channel or aperture defined therethrough to allow one or more toy objects to be inserted through an opening defined therein.

Preferably said channel has a first open end and at least a second open end. 'I;he one or more objects can be located in said first open end for extraction from said second open end.

Preferably two or more anatomical shaped toy structures are provided with channels therein and said channels are provided in communication with each other, thereby defining a substantially continuous passage through the structures.

Preferably valve means are associated with the channels to allow one or more objects to selectively pass through the channels in use of the toy. For example, the one or more objects can be in the form of a food bolus and the valve means can be moved between open and elapsed positions to show movement of the food bolos through one or more body components/organs of - .' the toy. . me

: Reference to an anatomical toy structure is typically any shaped or designed structure which is recognisable as being an organ, soft tissue, vessel or otherwise of a human or animal. The structures can be of a required shape or size to allow interlocking with other structures if required.

Movement means can be provided in the toys to allow relative movement of two or more parts of said toy. For example, the limbs of the toy can be movable with respect to the torso of the toy and/or the like.

l'referably one or more sensors can be provided on the toy and/or user actuation means to allow detection and/or signal actuation when said user actuation means are moved within a pre-cletermined distance of said toy.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided toy apparatus, said toy apparatus including a toy having a plurality of cavities defined therein for the location of one or more objects in the form of one or more anatomical toy structures and closure and/or engagement means for closing said cavity, for engaging said closure means in a closed condition and/or for engaging said objects in said cavity or to other objects in said cavity, and wherein one or more different anatomical shaped toy structures are provided for location in each of the plurality of cavities.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided toy apparatus, said toy apparatus including a toy having one or more cavities defined therein for the location of one or more objects in the form of one or more anatomical toy . . , structures and closure and/or engagement means for closing . said cavity, for engaging said closure means in a closed A condition and/or for engaging said objects in said cavity or to

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other objects in said cavity, and wherein one or more of the anatomical toy structures are provided with at least one channel I, defined therethrough and one or more toy members are I. . provided for location through said at least one channel.

Embodiments of the toy will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein: Figures la-ld illustrate side, rear, front and side views of a toy according to the present invention respectively; Figures 2a-2d illustrate side, rear, front and side views of a toy showing anatomical structures which can be provided in the abdominal cavity of the toy in figures la-ld; Figures 3a-3c illustrate side, front and side views respectively of the toy in figures la-ld showing the rib cage, spine and pelvis bone structures provided therein; Figures 3d-3f illustrate an example of engagement means for use with the rib cage shown in figure 3a-3c; Figures 4a-4d illustrate further examples of anatomical structures that can be provided in the toy of the present lnventlon; Figures 5a-5d shows an example of bone structures that can be provided in the toy of the present invention; Figures Ga-6d illustrate yet further examples of anatomical structures and features of the toy; and .-

. Figures 7a-7c illustrate views of anatomical structures in the I, form of an oesophagus, stomach and digestive tract which can be used with the present invention...DTD: .e. e Referring firstly to figures la-ld, there is illustrated a toy in the form of a teddy bear 2. '1'he external appearance of the teddy bear is similar to that of a conventional bear and typically is aesthetically appealing to a young child, such as a child between the ages of 3-12 years old. Thus, the bear 2 is provided with an outer furry coat 4, and has a head 6 with a face portion 8, body 10, arms 12 and legs 14.

in accordance with the present invention and with reference to all the figures, a plurality of cavities are defined in bear 2 corresponding to an abdominal cavity 16, a brain cavity 18, leg cavities 20 and arm cavities 22. in each cavity the anatomical structures associated with the body part are located therein.

Thus, for example, abdominal cavity 16 includes the tissues and organs forming the intestines 24, liver 26, and oesophagus 28, the brain cavity 18 includes the brain 20, the leg cavities 20 include the leg bones 30 and the arm cavities 22 include the arm bones 32.

( losurc means can be provided over the cavities to allow access to the cavities and/or engagement means can be provided to allow access to the cavities. In figures la-ld, engagement means in the form of zips 34 are provided. These zips typically correspond to the locations which a surgeon would make an actual incision in the body in order to access the cavities 16, 18, and 22 if they were carrying out a surgical procedure. '1: his allows the user to see where a scar may be formed on a body after surgery associated with a particular cavity and therefore .' ' provicles both an educational tool and also acts to alleviate the $ . users fears if they are about to have surgery on a similar body A part. $ - ë

Referring to figure 3a-3f, there is illustrated a rib cage formation ale, 36 which can be accessed via the abdominal cavity, including is. ribs 38, sternum 40 and vertebrae 42. The rib cage 36 defines a compartment 44 within the abdominal cavity 16 which houses anatomical structures associated therewith, including lungs 46, heart 48 and kidneys 50, as shown in figures 4a-4d. However, in the illustrated example, these structures can typically not be accessed until rib cage 36 has been opened, as would occur during normal surgical procedures. Thus, rib cage 36 is provided with eogagcment means thereon. In the example shown in figures 3a-3f, the engagement means are in the form of protrusion members 52 provided on a first part of sternum 40" which are complementary in size and shape to apertures 54 defined in a second part of sternum 40' therein for engagement.

A user is required to push fit the protrusion members 52 and apertures together in order to close the rib cage 367 as shown by arrows 55 in figure 3d, or pull the protrusion members 52 and apertures 54 apart to open the rib cage 36, as shown in figure 3f by arrows 56.

In one example, a surgical implement is required to be employed by the user to open and close the rib cage, thereby increasing the realism associated with opening and closing the rib cage.

The anatomical structures can be held in a pre-determined position in the relevant cavity by attachment means, such as one or more clips, VELCRO,,,, ress studs, stitching, adhesive and/or the like. 'l'he structures can be fixedly attached in the cavities or detachably attached therein. A surgical implement may also be required to be used by the user in order to detach the organs . - . from the internal walls defining the cavity, thereby allowing . .'. removal of the organs from the cavity in a realistic manner. e ce

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Mechanical movement means can be provided in the face 8 or any other part of the bear 2 to allow movement of one or more :. parts thereof. For example, the mouth 58 of the bear can be provided to move, as shown by arrow 60. 'this movement can be related to or be in synchrony with speech or sounds generated by audio generating means. The audio generating means can be provided in the bear 2, such as in the head portion 6.

Altcrnativcly, the audio generating means can be associated with the bear 2, such as being provided in a separate housing (not shown) . Although the above description refers almost exclusively to a toy in the form calf a teddy bear, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the toy of the present invention can be provided in any form, such as a person, character, monster, animal and/or the like. 1 1

The anatomical structures can be formed from solid material, such as plastic, rubber, metal or wood, can be stuffed using fabric or plastic and/or can be hollow. In one embodiment, the bear can be provided with a mouth cavity 62 which is linked to a hollow oesophagus 28. One or more objects, such as in the form of food, can be inserted into the mouth and is of such dimensions to allow passage through the oesophagus. 'lihe oesophagus can be made substantially transparent if required to allow a user to follow the movement of the object therethrough.

The anatomical structures can be provided in communication with one or more other structures if required. Thus, for example, the cesophagus can be provided in communication with the intestine and/or the like, thereby allowing a child to follow the . passage of the object through a plurality of structures and .'. possibly to exit the bear, for example, through the rectum 64. e .

A variety of different forms of medical implements can be provided for use with the toy for interaction therewith, such as a :. stethoscope to allow a user to hear the toys heart beating, I' breathing sounds and/or gastrointestinal contractions (tummy churning), a sphygmomanometer to allow the toys blood pressure to be taken, a patella hammer, thermometer, ENT sets to look in the ears, nose and throat, toothbrush for brushing the toys teeth and/or the like. 'I'he interaction of the medical implements with the toy, for example as a result of contact of the implement with a portion of the toy, could result in generation of audio and/or visual signalling means provided on the implement or on the toy. Thus, one or more sensors can be provided at pre-determined locations on the toy which detects the presence of a pre- determined medical implement adjacent to or in contact therewith. For example, Radio Frequency TclentiOcation tag technology could be used (RFID). Detection of said implement can result in the generation of a signal, either audio or visual, from the toy via electronic circuitry.

lurther objects can be provided with the toy to allow one or more broken organs to be joined back together or similar, thereby simulating surgical procedures undertaken on the toy.

Thus fine or more organs can be provided in two or more parts which are detachably attached together by suitable attachment means. This can be used to show a child a simplified view of a surgical procedure that may be required to be undertaken on the child to fix a broken leg for example. The child will gain some level of understanding of the procedure that is to be undertaken on them, thereby alleviating their fears.

Referring to figures 7a-7c, there is illustrated a more detailed a' example of anatomical structures which can be included in the ë toy to allow digestion of food to be explained to a child/user.

A For example, a food bolus 102 can be inserted into the bear's - mouth cavity 62 and into oesophagus 28. Valve means in the form of one way valves 104 can be provided in the oesophagus to allow the food bolus 102 to pass through the oesophagus and into the stomach/intestine area 24. The one way valves 104 typically have a button associated therewith to allow operation of the valve by a user. 'lthe button can be depressed by the user, thereby opening the valve 104, which in one example is in the form of a pivotable flap, and allowing the food bolus to fall into the stomach compartment. Similar valve means can be provided throughout the digestive tract shown in figure 7c to allow the user to move the food bolus through the toy. Alternatively, pump meails, such as a vacuum generating pump can be inserted adjacent the output end of the digestive tract (typically the anus 64) to create sufficient suction so as to draw the food bolus through the digestive tract. Once the food bolus is ejected or can be retrieved from the rectum of the toy, the user can use the food bolus again to follow movement thereof through the organs/components of the toy.

The organs/components of the digestive tract are typically formed from substantially transparent material which allows a user to see movement of the food bolus through the toy.

The food bolus can be formed from a substantially lightweight material, such as plastic, board and/or the like to allow easy movement of the same through the toy.

Thus, it can be seen that the present invention allows a variety of different interactions of the user, such as a child, with the toy, thereby increasing the interest of the child therein and increasing the educational value of the toy. ee' ë - e

A . ce

Claims

(claims: 1. Toy Apparatus, said toy apparatus including a toy having at

least one cavity defined therein for the location of one or more objects in the form of one or more anatomical shaped toy structures and closure and/or engagement means for closing said cavity, for engaging said closure means in a closed condition and/or for engaging said objects in said cavity or to other objects in said cavity, and wherein said toy apparatus further includes user actuation means for interaction with said closure and/or engagement means for allowing opening and/or closing of said closure means and/or for allowing engagement or disengagement -' f said engagement means. ë
2. Toy apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the user .'. actuation means arc in the form of one or more medical ., implement shaped toy structures. .
3. boy apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the user :^. actuation means are detachably attached to the closure I and/or engagement means.
4. 'l oy apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the user actuation means including gripping means to allow a user to grip the same.
5. 1 oy apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the user actuation means includes one or more hook members for hooking through one or more apcrturcs, annular members and/or recesses associated with the engagement means and/or closure means.
6. Toy apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the one or more anatomical toy structures include any or any combination of internal soft tissue organs, bones, muscles or blood vessels.
7. I'oy apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the one or more anatomical toy structures are formed from a substantially rigid material.
8. Toy apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the one or more anatomical toy structures are formed from substantially flexible material.
9. Toy apparatus according to claim 1 wherein parts of one or more anatomical toy structures are provided with . engagement and/or closure means and said engagement . means and/or closure means have to be moved from a

. closed/eogaged position to an open/disengaged position A. before one or more further anatomical toy structures can be accessed. .e ..CLME:
10. boy apparatus according to claim 9 wherein one of the anatomical toy structures is in the form of a rib cage structure and parts of the rib cage structure need to be opened or disengaged before one or more further anatomical shapel structures located within said rib cage structure can be accessed.
11. boy apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a plurality of cavities or compartments are defined in the toy and each of said cavities or compartments have different anatomical shaped toy structures provided therein.
12. Toy apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the one or more anatomical shaped toy structures are provided with indication means thereon which correspond to unique complementary indication means associated with each cavity.
l 3. Toy apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the indication means includes one or more visual and/or audio means.
14. I'cy apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the visual means includes any or any combination of one or more colours, shapecl, images, designs, photographs, textures, text or symbols. .

.
15. Toy apparatus according to claim 1 wherein one or . more of the anatomical shaped toy structures is provided : with at least one channel or aperture therethrough. :
16. l oy apparatus according to claim 1 wherein one or :. more toy members are provided for location through .. and/or from an opening of said at least one channel or ap erture.
17. 'Roy apparatus according to claim 15 wherein two or more anatomical shaped toy structures are provided with channels or apertures therethrough and the channels or apertures of said toy structures are in communication with each other.
18. l oy apparatus according to claim 15 wherein valve means are associated with said at least one channel or aperture.
19. Toy apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said valve means can lie moved between open and/or closed p->sitic>ns to allow opening and/or closing of one or more openings defined in said chancel respectively.
20. Lily apparatus according to claim 15 wherein suction means are associated with said one or more channels and said suction means allows one or more objects to be moved through said channels in use.
21. Toy apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the toy is in the form of a teddy bear.
22. T->y apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the closure means and/or engagement means includes one or more zips, clips, VELCRO,,prcss studs, stitching and/or act 1cslve. --

.
23. l oy apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the toy is provided with movement means between one or more parts I:: thereof to allow relative movement of said parts.
24. Toy apparatus according to claim 1 wherein one or more scissors arc provided in the toy which detect the presence of the user actuation means within a pre- determined distance thereof and, on detection, said toy and/or said user actuation means emits one or more signals in response to said detection.
25. Toy apparatus according to claim 1 wherein one or more of the anatomical toy structures are provided in two or more parts and said parts arc detachably attached together via attachment means.
26. Toy apparatus, said toy apparatus including a toy having a plurality of cavities defined therein for the location of one or more objects in the form of one or more anatomical toy structures and closure and/or engagement means for closing said cavity, for engaging said closure means in a closed condition and/or for engaging said objects in said cavity or to other objects in said cavity, and wherein one or more different anatomical shaped toy structures are provided for location in each of the plurality of cavities.
27. boy apparatus, said toy apparatus including a toy having one or more cavities defined therein for the location of one or more objects in the form of one or more anatomical toy structures and closure and/or engagement means for closing said cavity, for engaging said closure means in a closed condition and/or for

. engaging said objects in said cavity or to other objects in said cavity, and wherein one or more of the anatomical toy structures are provided with at least one channel defined :: therethrough and one or more toy members are provided for location through said at least one channel...MC: CL_G09B02334