US20070287357A1

US20070287357A1 - Securing assembly for articles to plush

Info

Publication number: US20070287357A1
Application number: US11/439,031
Authority: US
Inventors: Gerald J. McLean
Original assignee: Bear Factory LLC
Current assignee: Bear Factory LLC
Priority date: 2006-05-23
Filing date: 2006-05-23
Publication date: 2007-12-13

Abstract

A securing assembly securely affixes an article to a plush. The securing assembly includes a base that is receivable by the plush. The base extends between a platform end and an insertion end. A platform is fixedly secured to the platform end and receives the article thereon. A fastening device is fixedly secured to the insertion end and is adapted to fasten the securing article to the plush such that the platform is disposed outside the plush and the fastening device is disposed inside the plush.

Description

BACKGROUND ART

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to synthetic objects that are stuffed with a material. More particularly, the invention relates to assemblies used to secure articles to the synthetic objects or plushes.
2. Description of the Related Art
Stuffed synthetic products are used in several applications. One of these applications is stuffed toys. The stuffed products are fabricated using a plush, or carcass, that is stuffed with a compressible material. Oftentimes, the material is a fluffy, synthetic material so the plush feels soft and squeezable upon completing the assembly process. Examples of these stuffed products include, but are not limited to, teddy bears, stuffed animals, stuffed balls, blocks, baby rattles, squeak toys and the like, hereinafter referred to as “stuffed toys.”
Adorning the stuffed toys with articles is a means for decorating the stuffed toys. The articles may also be used to create or enhance features in the design of the stuffed toy. By way of example, articles may be attached to a teddy bear that are designed to look like eyes. The articles may be sewn or glued to the plush to affix them thereto. In instances where the articles have a greater value, or there is some other reason for enhancing the ability for the article to remain affixed to the plush, there is a need for a stronger and more permanent way to secure the articles to the plush.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Advantages of the invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a plush with one embodiment of the invention shown in an exploded view;

FIG. 2A is a top view of a platform of one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2B is an exploded side view of the embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3A is a top view of a platform of a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3B is an exploded side view of the second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4A is a top view of a platform of a third embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4B is an exploded side view of the third embodiment of the invention; and

FIGS. 5A through 7B represent the first, second and third embodiments having a different platform perimeter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, a stuffed toy is generally indicated at 10. The stuffed toy 10 includes a plush 12 and filler material (not shown) stuffed inside the plush 12. The plush 12 is closed by sewing or using a zipper to close any opening in the plush 12. U.S. Pat. No. 6,685,532 describes a closure mechanism for a plush and is hereby incorporated by reference.
The stuffed toy 10 may have a plush 12 that has characteristics of a particular animal or item. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the plush 12 is shaped in the form of a bear. While portions of the plush 12 may be used to create the physical properties of a bear, some designs may require other articles to be affixed to the plush 12 to enhance the characteristics of the stuffed toy 10.
In order to facilitate the securing of articles 14 to the plush 12, a securing assembly, generally shown at 16, is used. The securing assembly 16 securely affixes the article 14 to the plush 12 as close as possible thereto. While the articles 14 shown in FIG. 1 are meant to represent eyes of a bear, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the articles 14 may be any part of the animal or item represented by the plush 12 or any accessory that may be desired to decorate the plush 12. An example of such parts and accessories include, but are not limited to, eyes, noses, belly buttons, earrings, tattoos, ears, and the like. These articles 14 may be secured to the plush 12 using the securing assembly 16 at any location on the plush 12.
Referring to FIGS. 2A through 4B, wherein like elements of the various embodiments are offset by 100, the securing assembly 16 includes a base 18. The base 18 is receivable by the plush 12. More specifically, the base 18 is insertable into a hole within the plush 12 at the location desired to have the article 14 secured thereto. The base 18 extends between a platform end 20 and an insertion end 22. The base 18 is shown as a cylinder with its length being greater than its diameter. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the base 18 may include any type of cross-section so long as the base 18 is long enough to extend through the hole in the plush 12.
A platform 24 is fixedly secured to the platform end 20. The platform 24 has a diameter which is greater than the diameter of the base 18. The platform 24 receives the article 14 thereon.
A fastening device 26 is fixedly secured to the insertion end 22 of the base 18. The fastening device is adapted to fasten the securing assembly 16 to the plush 12 such that the platform 24 is disposed outside the plush 12 and the fastening device 26 is disposed inside the plush 12. In the embodiment shown wherein the articles 14 are eyes of a bear, the platform 24 is disposed immediately adjacent to an exterior surface 28 of the plush 12. It should be appreciated by those skilled, in the art that the platform 24 may include a length sufficient to hold the article 14 out and away from the plush 12 should the aesthetic intent require.
The fastening device 26 includes barbed surfaces 30 and a retainer 32. The retainer 32 is separate from the base 18 and the barbed surfaces 30. The retainer 32 is slid over the barbed surfaces 30 once the base 18 is extended through the hole in the plush 12. The barbed surfaces 30 that make up the fastening device 26 are often times referred to as a Christmas tree fastener.
The platform 24 defines a recess, generally shown at 34 that receives the article 14 therein. Surrounding the recess 34 is a support ring 36. The support ring 36 defines a support ring surface 38. The support ring surface 38 is a top surface of the platform 24. A relief 40 extends between the support ring surface 38 and the recess 34. In FIG. 2, the recess 34 includes a single recess surface 42. As may be seen in FIG. 3B, the recess 134 includes a plurality of recess surfaces 142. The support ring surface 38 may include a circular periphery. And again, as may be shown in FIGS. 5A through 7A, wherein like primed reference characters represent similar embodiments as those shown in FIGS. 2A through 4B, respectively, the support ring surface 38 may be non-circular. Other non-circular, non-heart shaped peripheries may be used.
Before the article 14 is inserted into the recess 34 of the platform 24, an adhesive is applied thereto. The adhesive extends between the article 14 and the recess 34, as well as the relief 40. This ensures that more than a single surface of the article 14 is affixed to the platform 24 of the securing assembly 16. More specifically, the adhesive will create an adhesive force between the article 14 and both the recess surface(s) 42 and the relief 40. This provides additional adhesion to ensure that the article 14 cannot be removed from the securing assembly 16 and/or the plush 12.
The invention has been described in an illustrative manner. It is to be understood that the terminology, which has been used, is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation.
Many modifications and variations of the invention are possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described.

Claims

1. A securing assembly for securely affixing an article to a plush, said securing assembly comprising:

a base receivable by the plush, said base extending between a platform end and an insertion end;

a platform fixedly secured at said platform end for receiving the article thereon; and

a fastening device fixedly secured to said insertion end adapted to fasten said securing assembly to the plush such that said platform is disposed outside the plush and said fastening device is disposed inside the plush.

2. A securing assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said platform defines a recess for receiving the article thereagainst.

3. A securing assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said platform defines a support ring surface extending around said recess.

4. A securing assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said platform includes a relief extending between said support ring surface and said recess.

5. A securing assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said recess includes a recess surface.

6. A securing assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said recess includes a plurality of recess surfaces.

7. A securing assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said fastening device defines a barbed end.

8. A securing assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein said fastening device includes a ring insertable over said barbed end to prevent said securing assembly from being removed from the plush.

9. A securing assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein said platform defines a circular periphery.

10. A securing assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein said platform defines a non-circular periphery.

11. A stuffed toy comprising:

a plush defining an exterior surface and a hole extending therethrough;

a securing assembly including a base receivable by said plush, said base extending between a platform end and an insertion end, a platform fixedly secured at said platform end, and a fastening device fixedly secured to said insertion end adapted to fasten said securing assembly to said plush such that said platform is disposed outside said plush disposed adjacent said exterior surface and said fastening device is disposed inside said plush; and

an article fixedly secured to said platform to aesthetically enhance the appearance of the stuffed toy.

12. A stuffed toy as set forth in claim 11 wherein said platform defines a recess for receiving said article thereagainst.

13. A stuffed toy as set forth in claim 12 wherein said platform defines a support ring surface extending around said recess.

14. A stuffed toy as set forth in claim 13 wherein said platform includes a relief extending between said support ring surface and said recess.

15. A stuffed toy as set forth in claim 14 wherein said recess includes a recess surface.

16. A stuffed toy as set forth in claim 15 wherein said recess includes a plurality of recess surfaces.

17. A stuffed toy as set forth in claim 15 wherein said fastening device defines a barbed end.

18. A stuffed toy as set forth in claim 17 wherein said fastening device includes a ring insertable over said barbed end to prevent said securing assembly from being removed from said plush.

19. A stuffed toy as set forth in claim 18 wherein said platform defines a circular periphery.

20. A stuffed toy as set forth in claim 18 wherein said platform defines a non-circular periphery.