US20110312242A1

US20110312242A1 - Wearable figurine

Info

Publication number: US20110312242A1
Application number: US12/819,284
Authority: US
Inventors: Kevin Muller; Jeaneen Muller
Original assignee: Shoulder Fun USA LLC
Current assignee: Shoulder Fun USA LLC
Priority date: 2010-06-21
Filing date: 2010-06-21
Publication date: 2011-12-22
Also published as: CA2721989A1

Abstract

A wearable toy is provided, including a figurine body defining a substantially planar bottom surface; a magnet disposed within the figurine body; and an attachment element magnetically engageable with the substantially planar bottom surface. A method of affixing a toy figurine to an article of clothing is also provided, including positioning a toy figurine adjacent a first surface of the article of clothing; positioning an attachment element in proximity to the toy figurine on a second surface opposite the first surface; and magnetically engaging the attachment element to the toy figurine with the article of clothing disposed there between.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

N/A

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

N/A

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to toy figurines and more particularly to toy figurines that are wearable or otherwise attachable to clothing in a desired position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Toy figures and dolls are a mainstay as toys for young children, and come in a variety of different categories. There are figures or figurines that are electrically-powered and self-animating, figures having a plurality of moving joints allowing a child to set the figure in a particular pose, as well as figures or dolls that simply provide a child with a miniature mannequin to dress and accessorize as they please. Despite the seemingly-timeless and wide ranging dolls and figurines available, there is always a continual desire to provide improvements and novelty over existing toys to continue to entertain children and stimulate their imaginations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a toy figurine assembly that is attachable or otherwise wearable on an article of clothing. In particular, a wearable toy is provided, including a figurine body; a magnet disposed within the figurine body; and an attachment element magnetically engageable with the figurine body. The attachment element may be substantially cylindrical and may include a metallic portion substantially surrounded by a non-metallic coating, where the non-metallic coating includes one or more rubbers, polymers, thermoplastics or the like. The figurine body may define a substantially planar bottom surface, and the attachment element may be engageable with a bottom surface of the figurine such that figurine extends substantially vertically from the attachment element.
A wearable toy is also provided, including a figurine body defining a substantially planar bottom surface; a magnet disposed within the figurine body, the magnet having a pull strength between approximately four pounds and eight pounds; and an attachment element magnetically engageable with the substantially planar bottom surface. The attachment element may be substantially coin-shaped and include a metallic layer enclosed in an exterior polymer layer and may define an engagement surface having at least the same size as a size of the substantially planar bottom surface.
The present invention also provides a method of affixing a toy figurine to an article of clothing, including positioning a toy figurine adjacent a first surface of the article of clothing; positioning an attachment element in proximity to the toy figurine on a second surface opposite the first surface; and magnetically engaging the attachment element to the toy figurine with the article of clothing disposed therebetween. The toy figurine may define a substantially planar bottom surface, and positioning the toy figurine can include positioning the substantially planar surface to abut the first surface of the article of clothing. The article of clothing may include a hat or a shirt, and the first surface of the article of clothing may include a shoulder-covering portion of the article such that the toy figurine extends substantially vertically from the article of clothing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention, and the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a toy figurine assembly constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the toy figurine assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the toy figurine assembly shown in FIG. 1

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the toy figurine shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is an illustration of an exemplary use of an embodiment of a toy figurine assembly in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a toy figurine assembly that is attachable or otherwise wearable on an article of clothing. Referring now to the drawings in which like reference designators refer to like elements, there is shown in FIGS. 1-4 an exemplary embodiment of a wearable or attachable toy assembly, designated generally as 10. Of note, the assembly components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Moreover, while certain embodiments or figures described herein may illustrate features not expressly indicated on other figures or embodiments, it is understood that the features and components of the system and devices disclosed herein may be included in a variety of different combinations or configurations without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.
Continuing to refer to FIGS. 1-4, the toy assembly 10 generally includes a toy figurine body 12 that is engageable with an attachment element 14 to facilitate positioning or mounting of the figurine body 12 on or about an article of clothing. The toy figurine body 12 may have various shapes and appearances appealing to children for their entertainment and enjoyment. For example, the figurine body 12 may generally include a face region 16 having eyes, a nose, and other facial features configured to convey a particular expression, whether humorous or otherwise. The figurine body 12 may also include a unique and stylized hair arrangement 18 protruding from or otherwise attached to the body 12. One or more appendages 20 may also extend from or otherwise be included on the figurine body 12, such as rounded feet on a lower extremity or portion of the body 12 and/or one or more arms (not shown) similarly fashioned on an upper extremity or portion of the body 12. The figurine body 12 may also define a substantially planar bottom or underside surface 22 that aids in or facilitates engagement with the attachment element 14, as described in more detail below. The bottom surface 22 may include a center torso portion as well as a surface portion forming an underside or bottom of one or more of the appendages 20.
The figurine body 12 may also include one or more stylized indicia that illustrate or compliment a theme for a particular figurine. For example, a sports team logo or graphic may be disposed on the body 12, as well as any number of additional representative or illustrative emblems or marks.
The figurine body 12 of the toy assembly 10 may further include one or more magnets 24 disposed within or about the body 12 to attract, couple, or engage the attachment element 14. For example, the figurine body 12 may define an interior compartment or passage dimensioned to receive the one or more magnets 24 therein. The magnet(s) 24 may be assembled or otherwise positioned within the passage or compartment and secured in place with an adhesive, a cap, or closure on the passage or compartment, or the like. In another example, the hair arrangement 18 may be adhered to the figurine body 12 to obscure the visibility and/or access to the interior compartment, thus securing the magnet(s) 24 in place. The magnet(s) 24 may include any material, object or device that produces a magnetic field, including permanent magnets such as ceramic or ferrite magnets, alnico magnets, rare earth magnets, ticonal magnets, and may also include one or more electromagnets. The magnet(s) 24 may provide a magnetic field having sufficient strength or pull to securely yet releasably engage the attachment element 14, and may be in the range of approximately four to eight pounds of pull strength, for example.
The attachment element 14 may be releasably engageable with a portion of the figurine body 12 to allow the assembly 10 to be fixed or coupled to an article of clothing, as mentioned above. The attachment element 14 may define a substantially cylindrical or coin-shaped body that is magnetically attracted by the magnets 24 sufficiently to releasably secure the attachment element 14 to the underside or surface 22 of the figurine body 12. Towards that end, the attachment element 14 may define a substantially planar surface readily positionable adjacent to the substantially planar surface 22 of the figurine body 12. Also, the attachment element 14 may define an engagement surface 26 having at least the same size or greater as a size of the substantially planar bottom surface 22 such that the attachment element 14 does not need to be exactly aligned with the figurine body 12 in order to achieve a desired magnetic engagement between the components.
To facilitate the magnetic attachment between the figurine body 12 and the attachment element 14, the attachment element may be constructed from a magnetically-responsive or otherwise attractable material. For example, the attachment element 14 may include a metallic core or layer 28 that is magnetically engageable with the figurine body 12 via the magnet(s) 24. In addition, the attachment element 14 may include a non-metallic layer or coating 30 substantially surrounding or otherwise enclosing the magnetically-attractable core 28. The exterior layer 30 may include one ore more plastics or polymers, such as rubbers, polymers, thermoplastics or the like, for example. The exterior coating or layer 30 adds to the overall safety of the device in shielding exposure to the metallic core 28 in addition to cushioning the attachment element 14 for comfort and ease of use.
Now referring to FIG. 5, an exemplary use of the toy assembly 10 is illustrated. The figurine body 2 may be mounted or positioned on a portion of an article of clothing 32, such as a shirt, hat, or the like. In particular, the figurine body 12 may be positioned such that its underside surface 26 abuts or is otherwise adjacent a first surface or exterior of the article of clothing 32. The attachment element 14 may be positioned adjacent to or otherwise abutting an opposite, interior surface of the article of clothing 32. The adjacent positioning of the figurine body 12 and the attachment elements 14 on opposite sides of the clothing article 32 allows the magnet 24 in the figurine body 12 to attract and releasably engage the attachment element 14 with the layer of the clothing article disposed in between. The engagement of the figurine body 12 to the attachment element 14 allows the assembly 10 to be mounted or otherwise worn on a portion of the body covered by the clothing article 32, such as the shoulder area as shown in FIG. 5. In particular, the toy figurine 12 may be positioned on the shoulder or neck area of the clothing article such that it extends substantially vertically upward from the clothing article 32 while the attachment element 14 resides in a substantially horizontal configuration beneath the surface of the clothing article 32 and out of sight. The secured magnetic attachment between the figurine body 12 and the attachment element 14 allows the figurine to be worn as desired without damaging the clothing article, and further provides sufficient coupling force to prevent the toy figurine 12 from becoming dislodged or moved during normal movements such as walking. The toy assembly 10 thus provides a figurine 12 that can be worn about the body and taken wherever the child may go.
It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described herein above. In addition, unless mention was made above to the contrary, it should be noted that all of the accompanying drawings are not to scale. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, which is limited only by the following claims.

Claims

1. A wearable toy, comprising:

a figurine body;

a magnet disposed within the figurine body; and

an attachment element magnetically engageable with the figurine body.

2. The toy according to claim 1, wherein the attachment element is substantially cylindrical.

3. The toy according to claim 1, wherein the attachment element includes a metallic portion substantially surrounded by a non-metallic coating.

4. The toy according to claim 1, wherein the non-metallic coating includes a polymer.

5. The toy according to claim 1, wherein the attachment element is engageable with a bottom surface of the figurine.

6. The toy according to claim 1, wherein the figurine body defines a substantially planar bottom surface.

7. A wearable toy, comprising:

a figurine body defining a substantially planar bottom surface;

a magnet disposed within the figurine body, the magnet having a pull strength between approximately four pounds and eight pounds; and

an attachment element magnetically engageable with the substantially planar bottom surface.

8. The toy according to claim 7, wherein the attachment element is substantially coin-shaped.

9. The toy according to claim 7, wherein the attachment element includes a metallic layer enclosed in an exterior polymer layer.

10. The toy according to claim 7, wherein the attachment element defines an engagement surface having at least the same size as a size of the substantially planar bottom surface.

11. A method of affixing a toy figurine to an article of clothing, comprising:

positioning a toy figurine adjacent a first surface of the article of clothing;

positioning an attachment element in proximity to the toy figurine on a second surface opposite the first surface; and

magnetically engaging the attachment element to the toy figurine with the article of clothing disposed therebetween.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the toy figurine includes a magnet disposed therein.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the toy figurine defines a substantially planar bottom surface, and positioning the toy figurine includes positioning the substantially planar surface to abut the first surface of the article of clothing.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein the attachment element is substantially coin-shaped.

15. The method according to claim 11, wherein the attachment element includes a metallic core coated by an exterior polymer layer.

16. The method according to claim 11, wherein the article of clothing is a shirt.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the first surface of the article of clothing includes a shoulder-covering portion of the article.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the toy figurine extends substantially vertically from the article of clothing.

19. The method according to claim 11, wherein the article of clothing is a hat.