US20070207698A1

US20070207698A1 - Toy to aid emotional transitions

Info

Publication number: US20070207698A1
Application number: US11/367,283
Authority: US
Inventors: Cathleen Stanley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-03-02
Filing date: 2006-03-02
Publication date: 2007-09-06

Abstract

The invention is a personalized transitional item or toy, that can be a stuffed animal, to aid in the emotional transitions of children that are about to undergo a significant loss. It is a stuffed toy that has the capacity to store memorabilia in its interior. The toy itself will be plush and huggable and can be called the Healing Hearts Bear and function as both a practical toy and a holder for meaningful possessions. The cavity will be used to contain items of emotional significance to the child and will be selected and placed in the cavity by an adult or counselor and returned to the child, and can be used to aid child in undergoing the coming emotional transition such as death or loss of a loved one, or personal injury and illness.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to toys in general such as ornaments or stuffed animals, and specifically to a toy stuffed animal having a memorabilia storage cavity, that can be used as a healing tool, in situations such grief, separation anxiety, injury and other emotional difficulties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many children and young adults are forced to go through difficult emotional transitions. For example, injury, operations, the loss of a parent either to death or divorce. Recently thousand of children were displaced by severe weather. This is a serious upset to the lives of the children. A wide variety of toys exists to help a child play and to provide some comfort. But the toy does not aid the child in coping with the emotional trauma. Patents for toys involving emotional states or play have been issued in the past, for example:
In U.S. Pat. No. 6,994,555 Weiner, et al. Feb. 7, 2006, a play cube is used to aid in recognizing and developing various emotional states.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,090,938 issued to Reynolds, Feb. 25, 1992, relates to a stuffed toy such as a teddy bear that can be converted or altered into different configurations.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,547,171 issued to Horimoto, Oct. 15, 1985, shows a stuffed toy that includes an illumination device for illuminating portions of the toy.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,458,932 issued to Zimbarg, Oct. 17, 1995, shows a Santa Claus-like decorative object that includes a combination of a flexible bag member and has a Santa Claus shape.
There are teddy bear shapes with a compartment and other design patents that use the teddy bear shape. For example, in U.S. Pat. No., RE38,946, Bitton, Jan. 24, 2006, a small toy or figurine is located inside a transparent body of soap such as a teddy bear. However, these are not structured to function to aid a child in emotional transitions.
Some toys have even been used as a jewelry box. For example see U.S. Pat. No. 6,439,946 to Schneider. However, the nature of this design does not allow for use in demonstrating things to a child, and would be cumberson if attempted to be used in an emotional healing process. It would therefore be beneficial to have a means for frequently opening and closing the compartment so a child could easily access the comfort item within. The '946 patent is for placing a container inside a toy. It would therefore be beneficial to have internal storage means that cannot be separated from the toy.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,842,562 to Bauman jewelry a stuffed animal with simulated fur is used to hide jewelry, and therefore would not be useful to a child, or in an emotional connection.
Additionally, the head of a stuffed animal is often used to store a sound device often for making the sounds of the animal that the toy is meant to represent. See U.S. Pat. No. 6,514,118 to Murray.
Although there are a variety of toys that provide the comfort of play to children that are undergoing a current or potential emotional transition, they are only toys. It is therefore desirable to have a toy that can also have favorable associations and act as an aid to the child in the undergoing the transition or healing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A toy to aid emotional transitions is a toy that has the capacity to store memorabilia in its interior. The toy itself should be plush and huggable and can be called the Healing Hearts Bear and function as both a practical toy and a holder for meaningful possessions. It can also be called the Boo-Boo Bear to address areas of specific injury to the child.
The cavity itself will be able to contain a multiplicity of special comfort items that the user may play with and carry within the toy (or teddy bear in a preferred embodiment) itself. Keeping the items close and accessible as the child needs them such as trinkets, photos, letters, lockets or tokens. The cavity should be a vertical opening in the abdominal region for greatest ease of use. The cavity can be assessed from either the front or the back. The cavity should open from neck to tail in the back or chin to pelvic area when used in the front.
Imagine the children displaced by hurricane Katrina uprooted and moved to unfamiliar places being able to carry with them some small piece of their former homes. An article from their bedroom, or a stone from their yard, a hinge from their old homes. These items can provide comfort, a sense of well being, and psychological healing to children in crisis. And offer a valuable tool to the adults supporting them in the form of a transitional item.
Child care specialists recognize that as children grow older they desire an understanding they were likely too young to comprehend at the time of separation. (specifically this stands true for children separated by illness, divorce, and social service intervention).
The instant invention can best be utilized when used in conjunction with a ceremony in which the child and adult create the finished product together. This adds to the significance of the finished memorabilia and forms an additional positive association with the adult that participates in the ceremony.
The subject matter of the present invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. However, both the organization and method of operation, together with further advantages and objects thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to like elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the instant invention in the teddy bear with body cavity emobiment utilizing the lace sealing means.
FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view along lines A-A′ illsutrating the teddy bear embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a side view of the instant invention illustrating the use of a cavity placed in the side of the stuff animal embodiment.
FIG. 4 is front view of the stuff animal embodiment illustrating the use of a clear pocket containing visual aids and further illustrating the use of the cavity in the side of the body.
FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the cavity utilizing the zipper embodiment illustrating compartments withing for placing multiple memorabilia.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Now referring to FIG. 1 the instant invention 1 is a stuffed toy animal to aid emotional transitions and has the capacity to store memorabilia in a cavity 3 in its interior. The cavity 3 is closed after the special comfort item 9 (not shown in this figure) is placed in the cavity 3 by a sealing means such as laces 7.
The toy itself 1 will be plush and huggable and can function as both a practical toy and a holder for meaningful possessions 9. The cavity 3 is within the toy 1 itself, and is typically a vertical opening that is typically centered in the abdomen or body of the toy 1 and would also typically be vertically situated as illustrated
Now referring to FIG. 2 the memorabilia can be a specially prepared items such as a heart shaped object 9 or it can be a photograph or other personal items that is associated with the person whose transition is the purpose of preparing the child (user) for the loss. Lists, letters, or jewelry can be used as well.
The toy 1 should be soft to create a pleasant association with the instant invention 1 itself, which illustrated as a teddy bear 1, with the child and should therefore be stuffed with a cushioning fabric or soft material 11 such as cotton or other commercially available stuffing material that is well know in the art. As is readily apparent multiple items can be stored in the cavity 3.
Referring again to FIG. 1 they preferred embodiment is that of a teddy bear that is typically a toy configuration comprising a body 13 having a plurality of arms 15,17 and legs 19,21 and head 22 all stuffed with a polyester fiberfill 11 or equivalent material 11 to provide a configuration of a bear appearance. The laces 7 would be threaded through lacing holes 5 and is well know in the art.
It is not necessary for the instant invention/toy 1 to be in the form of a teddy bear 1. Any recognizable shape that has a pleasant or useful association with the user can be used and can typically be a bear, Santa clause, Easter bunny, Valentine heart, Pumpkin, New Year's baby, dogs, tooth fairy, bunnies, kittens, cows, pigs, or other animal.
The instant invention can best be utilized when used in conjunction with a ceremony in which the child and adult create the finished product together. This adds to the significance of the finished memorabilia and forms an additional positive association with the adult that participates in the ceremony.

Coping with Injury and Trauma

Now referring again to FIG. 1 a simulated bandage 24 can be utilized at the site of an expected operation or of an actual injury location that has been attended to by medical personnel. It can also be used to instruct the child for actions that medical personnel may be required to take in the future.

Wishing Stone

Now referring again to FIG. 1, the wishing stone, which is illustrated as a heart 9 which will be held in a special interior pocket in the toy cavity 3 is meant to symbolize the power of love and wishes. A growing child will find comfort in the idea that she has a secret trinket to tell her fears and dreams. As mention above any item that is significant in relationship between the user and the person who loss is anticipated. The memorabilia should be of sufficient size as to not present a choking hazard, and should not be constructed of toxic materials. Plastic or polished stone is recommended. A heart shaped bean 9 can be used if a hard object present a danger to the user.

Labels

Now referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 when the frontal body cavity embodiment is not used the front 41 of the stuffed animal embodiment 1 can be used to place a readily visible reminder compartment 43 that can also be used in the emotional healing process.
Labels (not shown) will be in the form of “butt tags”, containers will be labeled and some models will have company logo embroidered on the rear, foot, chest or arm. this should address the questions you sent us. Please give us a call with any questions you may have. It is also possible to use a clear plastic holder 43 the front of the toy 1 than can hold pictures or symbols for use in the transition process.

Sizing

In the stuffed animal embodiment the instant invention 1 should be approximately 7″ to 12″ in height. But any size can be used.

Cavity Construction

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 5 the cavity 3 itself can be formed and lined with fabrics that are readily commercially such as Silk, Satin, Velvet, Cotton, Nylon. The cavity 3 can be sealed with any available sealing mechanism can be hook and clasp, Velco®, laces 7, grommets or Zippers 45. Many toys now in commercial use Velco® successful for clasping. As is apparent the cavity 3 can also be located within the Body, Arms, Legs, or head of said stuffed toy.
Now referring to FIG. 5 the cavity 3 can contain a multiplicity of interior compartments 47 for using multiple memorabilia. For example, the wishing stone 9 can be keep in the main area 51 and a photograph or letter can be kept in interior compartment 47 sewn into the side for that purpose.

OTHER EMBODIMENTS POSSIBLE

While several embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects.

Claims

1. A toy to aid emotional transitions comprising a body shaped to resemble a recognizable toy having a cavity for holding an item with an emotional significance located within said cavity, said cavity being closable by a sealing means for closing said compartment, wherein when said item is placed within said compartment and seal during a meeting an emotional significant item is created to aid the user in making an emotional transition.

2. A stuffed toy animal to aid emotional transitions comprising a body shaped to resemble a recognizable toy that is stuffed with a cushioning fabric having a cavity for holding an item with an emotional significance located within said cavity, said cavity being closable by a sealing means for closing said compartment, wherein when said item is placed within said compartment and seal during a meeting an emotional signicant item is created to aid the user in making an emotional transition.

3. The stuffed toy in claim 2 wherein the shape of said toy animal is selected from the class of a bear, santa clause, Easter bunny, valentine heart, pumpkin, tooth fairy, New Year's baby, dogs, bunnies, kittens, cows, pigs, other animal or a cartoon character.

4. The stuffed toy in claim 2 wherein the sealing means is is lined from fabrics selected from the class of Velco®, Laces, groumets or Zippers.

5. The stuffed toy in claim 2 wherein said compartment is lined with a lining selected from the class of what will the compartment be made of: silk, satin, velvet, cotton, or nylon.

6. The stuffed toy in claim 2 wherein said compartment is located within the body, arms, legs, or head of said stuffed toy.

7. A stuffed toy animal to aid emotional transition comprising a toy shaped like a teddy bear that is stuffed with a cushioning fabric having a cavity lined with a lining fabric for holding an item with an emotional significance located within said cavity, said cavity having an interior compartment and being closable by a sealing means that is threaded through lacing holes, wherein when said item is placed within said compartment and sealed during a meeting an emotional significant item is created to aid the user in making an emotional transition.

8. The stuffed toy in claim 7 wherein the shape of said toy animal is selected from the class of a bear, santa clause, Easter bunny, valentine heart, pumpkin, tooth fairy, New Year's baby, dogs, bunnies, kittens, cows, pigs, other animal or a cartoon character.

9. The stuffed toy in claim 2 wherein the sealing means is lined from fabrics selected from the class of Velco®, Laces, grommets or Zippers.

10. The stuffed toy in claim 7 wherein said compartment is lined with a lining selected from the class of what will the compartment be made of: silk, satin, velvet, cotton, or nylon.

11. The stuffed toy in claim 7 wherein said compartment is located within the body, arms, legs, or head of said stuffed toy.