TITLE

Doll with Floating Eyeballs and Interior Chambers

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates generally to dolls having interior chambers, and more specifically, those which also have a unique form of eyes which are aesthetically pleasing in appearance and entertaining to a young child. Further, the doll can contain flexible appendages making the doll even more unique and entertaining to the user of the doll.

Background of the Invention

[0002] Toys, especially dolls, have been entertaining children and adults for years. Additionally, both children and adults collect various types of dolls and keep them for many years.

[0003] Toy makers, noticing this cross-age appeal, began creating dolls and toys that are not only aesthetically pleasing, but also contain an inherent functional aspect. This allows the dolls and toys to have different characteristics for people with different desires. A person who enjoys the aesthetic aspects of a doll can collect the doll for that reason, while the person who likes the functional aspect can collect the same doll for a different reason.

[0004] Dolls with internal cavities are not new to the art. The Morris reference (U.S. Patent 6,755,712) teaches a doll with an internal cavity in the body of the doll. This doll stores its own accessories and clothes in the body cavity. [0005] The Treibitz reference (U.S. Patent Pub. U.S. 2004/0253900) also teaches a doll with an opening in the body of the doll. The Treibitz doll teaches the use of a keepsake photo in the body opening.

[0006] Further, the Holt reference (U.S. Patent 6,350,169) discloses a puppet with finger holes and an empty body cavity. The Holt reference does not specify a use for the empty tummy cavity, leaving the user to decide what will be internally stored.

[0007] Another doll, disclosed in the Stone reference (U.S. Patent 5,059,149), contains a hollow body cavity. This cavity is for storing a book, or some other form of educational material. [0008] The Van Hoose reference (U.S. Patent 4,917,607) discloses a doll that is used by patients to convey feelings and emotions. The doll has an empty body cavity for storing the representations of those emotions, such as a smile, heart or other icon. [0009] The Benton reference (U.S. Pat. No. 4,645,470) discloses a doll having a body with a pocket including a sack portion and a cover flap for the sack portion for the purpose of carrying various items.

[0010] The Thomas reference (U.S. Pat. No. 4,504,240) discloses a hand puppet having a plurality of different facial components which are removably attached to the head portion to produce different looking characters. The facial components are store in a downwardly depending sleeve. [0011] The Kling reference (U.S. Pat. No. 4,288,222) discloses a rag type doll having an interior torso portion with a variety of soft interior organs which may be used for instructional purposes. These secure to the interior of a body cavity and/or to one another, by means of snap fasteners and the like. [0012] The Cox reference (U.S. Pat. No. 4,197,670) discloses a soft doll having a trunk with a cavity located therein for the purposes of carrying a second doll in the cavity. Both dolls are provided with miniature hook and loop fastening strips to secure the dolls to one another.

[0013] The Morrison, et al. reference (U.S. Pat. No. 3,828,462) discloses the use of an animated toy having an elongated body portion and supporting arm portions and leg portions which may be position by utilizing a fluent granular material disposed within interior compartments which allows the doll to easily tumble or move about in an interesting fashion.

[0014] The Morrison reference (U.S. Pat. 3,808,735) discloses the use of a doll figure which changes facial expressions as it is moved between a seated position and an erect position by means of a mechanism located in the head and body of the doll.

[0015] The Klamer reference (U.S. Pat. No. 3,520,078) discloses the use of a substantially rigid and egg shaped hollow bodied toy which can store facial elements therewithin for the purpose of creating a wide variety of amusing characters.

[0016] The Jones reference (U.S. Pat. No. 2,619,771) discloses the use of a soft bodied doll having interior paths for the purposes of manipulating articles within the doll as a magician would.

[0017] The Kiscadden reference (U.S. Pat. No. 2,995,865) discloses a doll design utilizing a waterproof mouth having a compartment closed by a slide fastener simulating teeth.

[0018] The Richman reference (U.S. Pat. No. 2,078,809) discloses the use of a soft bodied doll or head having a plurality of elongate chambers disposed therewithin which have a plurality of walls between which is intended soft material to be disposed within.

[0019] The Buchtrup reference (U.S. Pat, No. 1 ,581 ,382) discloses the utilization of a soft bodied doll having a hat opening at the crown of the doll's head wherein a child may remove the hat and place within the cavity of the doll, a variety of substances including play sand, small pebbles or beads and the like to give the doll body form.

[0020] The Richards reference (U.S. Pat. No. 1 ,384,731) discloses the use of a doll having an interior compartment and a weight located therewithin for the purpose of simulation how the doll would move when placed underwater, so that the movements are similar to a human infant being placed in water.

[0021] A variety of design patents show different ornamental designs for dolls, including U.S. Design Pat. No. 348,490 issued to Brooks which discloses a soft bodied sport doll figure having a basket ball located between the trunk and abdomen. U.S. Design Pat. No. 84,732 discloses the ornamental design for a soft bodied doll which has soft body elements that are sewn flat together. U.S.

Design Pat. No. 199,907 issued to Jourπer discloses an ornamental design of a doll having a large dress shaped torso interior chamber for the purpose of storing pajamas. U.S. Design Pat. No. 260,698 issued to Fitzgerald discloses an ornamental design of an enlarged soft bodied head figure having elongate arms and legs which is intended for use as a back pack.

[0022] These references and other references disclose dolls with hollow cavities. However, none of these references can achieve the purposes of this invention as this invention does.

Brief Summary of the Invention

[0023] The present invention improves on several important aspects of the prior art for dolls, most specifically those dolls having internal storage cavities. This novel 5 doll has internal storage cavities, as well as fanciful eyeballs that entertain and produce a unique look.

[0024] The doll's body may be made from either plastic or a cloth body with a stuffed interior. Or the doll even may be made from wood or other firm substance. In any case, it is imperative that the floating eyeballs, which have a I O depending stem and a securement device, if when detached by a young child, would not be so small that they would fit inside a choke tube. Accordingly it is anticipated that the floating eyeball piece for the present invention be at least 1.5" to 2" in length or larger, so that they present no danger to a young child if dislodged from the doll's head.

15 [0025] The present invention consists of a doll having at least one interior compartment inside of the head. The compartment may be located in either the top, back or sides of the doll's head and it may have a flap which allows it to be easily opened or closed which is made from a variety of materials such as plastic, cloth or other substantially rigid material. The flap may be secured with a 20 variety of commonly available fastening means, including latches, ties, buttons and loops and miniature hook and loop fasteners.

[0026] Additionally, the head may be provided with hollow eye sockets on both sides of it, wherein the sockets contain a pair of opposing floating eyes.

The floating eyes shake and jiggle as the doll is moved, making the doll more

25 entertaining and visually stimulating to a young child or even an infant. Studies show that very young infants especially are attracted to, and entertained by the facial features of an image placed before her or him, and accordingly a doll with jiggling eyes would be most entertaining for young children.

[0027] The doll may be further provided with a body having at least one

30 interior compartment for storage. The storage compartment may be located in any portion of the trunk of the doll, including the chest, back or abdomen, In one

preferred embodiment of the present invention, the neck allows the head to be turned and rotated by the user of the doll, which would enhance play of a young child. [0028] Extending outwardly of the body is a least one appendage, but a

5 plurality of appendages may be utilized. Typically, the appendage would mimic appendages of a specific animal or creature; for example, a doll shaped to resemble a human would have human like arms and human like legs. These appendages can be flexible and can contain a joint, similar to a human knee or human elbow. The joint may be made from a cloth arm or leg which has been

I O stuffed and which surrounds a wire structure. Or, the joint may be a plastic ball and socket type which allows free movement by the user similar to a human arm or elbow joint. These and other forms of doll joints are well known in the art and it would be desirable to utilize them in the present invention.

15

Objects of the Present Invention

[0029] It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a doll that advances the art of toy production and design by disclosing a doll that contains interior compartments as well as floating eyeballs contained in hollow eye sockets. [0030] Another primary object of the present invention is to provide a doll that has a traditional functional aspect by disclosing a doll that has interior storage compartments which may accommodate accessories for the doll, or jewelry or even clothing for the doll. [0031] A further primary object of the present invention is to provide a doll that is aesthetically pleasing and entertaining to a young child by disclosing a doll that has unique and novel floating eyeballs contained in hollow eye sockets, [0032] Still another primary object of the present invention is to provide a doll that is interactive and poseable by further utilizing bendable and flexible appendages made from either a plastic ball and socket joint for a doll made from plastic, or wire covered with cloth and stuffing, as in the case of cloth stuffed body dolls. [0033] It is a further primary object of the present invention to provide a doll with floating eye balls which are suspended from apertures in either eye socket, wherein the floating eye ball members are of a sufficient size that they will not fit inside a choke tube or present a choking hazard to a small child. [0034] It is yet an additional primary object of the present invention to provide a doll with a compartment in the head for storing items such as jewelry, and a compartment in the body for storing items such as the doll's change of clothing. [0035] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention can be readily derived from the following detailed description of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings present herein and should be considered as within the overall scope of the invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0036] FIG, 1 is a front elevation view of the doll.

[0037] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the head of the doll with the closeable opening in the open position.

[0038] FIG, 3 is a cut away perspective front close-up view of the hollow eye

socket and floating eyeball.

[0039] FIG. 4 is an elevation side view with a portion of the body cut-away.

[0040] FlG. 5 is an elevated perspective view of the body with a portion of the body cut-away.

[0041 ] FIG. 6 is a top cut away perspective view of a flexible appendage,

[0042] FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of one preferred embodiment of a neck

element.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

[0043] With reference to the figures, most specifically FIG. 1 , a doll with a plurality of storage compartments 10 will be disclosed. The doll 10 utilizes the advancements and advantages previously mentioned.

[0044] The doll has a head 11. The head 11 has an upper head region 12 and a lower head region 14. The head 11 can be made out of any materials that are suitable, such as porcelain, plastic, cotton, wool, leather, or other fabrics. Additionally, the head 11 can be shaped in a variety of styles. Depicted is a fanciful head 11 , but the head 11 could also resemble a human head, or a specific animal head, such as a dog, cat or octopus. In Figure 1 , it would appear that this embodiment is either one which somewhat resembles a human head, or it resembles neither human nor animal form. [0045] Within the head 11 , there is a first interior storage compartment 20. The first interior storage compartment 20 defines a space that allows a user to store a variety of items therewithin. The interior storage compartment 20 in FIG, 2 is located in the upper head region 12. The interior storage compartment 20 could also be located in the lower head region 14 or at any position within the interior of the head 11 [0046] The first interior storage compartment 20 must have a closeable opening. The closeable opening in FIG- 1 and Fl(S. 2 consists of an openable flap 16 and an opening tab 18. The openable flap 16 covers the first interior storage compartment 20 until, the opening tab 18 is pulled by the user and the openable flap 16 is lifted to allow a user to access the first interior compartment 20. The openable flap 16 and corresponding closeable opening are located on the top of the upper head region 12. However, the openable flap 16 and corresponding closeable opening could be placed anywhere on the head or neck or body, and all of these may even be interconnected, as long as it allows a user to access the first interior storage compartment 20. It is anticipated that the cavity within the doll 10 may connect from the head 11 through the neck 30, and down into even body interior 34, There are

also a variety of ways to create a closeable opening. Depicted is one embodiment, by a closeable opening could consist of buttons and fabric, zippers, and clasps and other fastening devices commonly utilized in the prior art. [0047] The first interior compartment 20 is a space that allows a user to store items within the first interior storage compartment. The first interior compartment 20 can be made of plastic, soft material, or any other structure that defines an accessible space within the head 11.

[0048] The doll can also contain floating eyeballs 24 located in hollow eye sockets 22. The depicted embodiment of the doll, FIG. 1, has the hollow eye sockets 22 located between the upper head region 12 and the lower head region 14 on the lateral sides of the head 11. There are other locations for the hollow eye sockets 22, but they must allow for the movement of the floating eyeballs 24. The floating eyeballs 24 must move. The movement can be laterally, front to back, diagonally, unidirectioπally, or in any direction. [0049] One embodiment of the floating eyeballs 24 is depicted in more detail in FIG. 3. In that specific embodiment, the floating eyeballs 24 are located in the hollow eye sockets 22. A strut 26 connects the floating eyeball 24 to a pivot ball 62. The strut 26 passes through a movement slit 60. The movement slit 60 is sized so that the strut 26 can pass through the movement slit 60 and the strut 60 can change positions with little or no friction. The pivot ball 60 is sized so that it cannot pass through the movement slit 60. The movement slit 60 is located on the under side of the upper hollow eyeball socket surface 64. This is but one preferred method of making the floating eyeballs 24 move; however, there can be multiple numbers of methods, including, but not limited to: using an aperture instead of a slit or using springs.

[0050] As shown in Figure 1 , the head 14 must connect to the body 34. This can be a direct connection, or a neck 30 can be used. The direct connection can be made with stitches, staples, or the entire doll could be made from a single piece of material. However, the depicted embodiment of Figure 1 has a neck 30.

[0051] figure 4 illustrates how the neck 30 contacts the body 34 at the body top 32 and the neck 30 contacts the head 11 at the head base 28. The neck 30 can be sewn to the body top 32 and the head base 28. Additionally, the neck 30 can be sewn to the body top 32 and extended through an aperture located the head base

5 28, The neck portion 96 that is located within the head 11 flares outwardly, creating a neck portion 96 that is larger than the aperture through which the neck 30 passed. This allows the head 11 to rotate circularly around. There are other methods of creating a rotateable head, for example reversing the embodiment previously disclosed so that the neck 28 extends into the body 34.

] ϋ [0052] Further, the neck 30 can be made so that it is flexible. There are a variety of ways this can be achieved, for example using a plastic neck that contains a variety of expandable ridges. This technology is known in the art and depicted in FIG. 7 as flexible neck element 31. Moreover, the neck 30 can be a combination of a flexible neck and a rotateable neck, so that the neck 30 can both rotate and flex.

15 [0053] Returning to FIG. 1 and the body 34. Located within the body 34 there must be a second interior compartment 40. The shape of the second interior compartment 40 can vary depending on the shape of the body 34. FlG. 5 shows the second interior compartment within the boundaries of the body wall 76. Much like the first interior compartment 20, the second interior compartment must have a

20 closeable opening 78. See FIG. 5. The depicted embodiment has the closeable opening 78 located on the front of the body 34. The closeable opening 78 can be located on any point in the body 34, so long as it allows the user to access the second interior storage compartment 40. [0054] Once again, a second openable flap 36 and second opening tab 38 are

25 used to cover the closeable opening 78 of the second interior compartment 40. These structures have the same aspects as the openable flap 16 and opening tab 18 located on the head 12 shown in Figure 1. Additionally, like the opening flap 16 and the opening tab 18, this second openable flap 36 and second opening tab 18 are just one structural means of creating a closeable opening 78. Further it is not

required that the first openable flap 16 and second openable flap 36 or the first opening tab 18 and the second opening tab 38 be the same. [0055] The second interior compartment 40 can be independently created with plastic, cloth or any other material. Further, the second interior compartment 40 can be created from the inner-walls of the body. It is not required that either interior storage compartment be created from different materials than the body 34 and head 11 , just that the body 34 and the head 11 have spaces within them to store items. [0056] Attached to the body 34 there must be at least one appendage. FIG. 1 depicts a doll with four appendages, a pair of arm appendages 42 and a pair of leg appendages 50, The number of appendages will depend on the specific embodiment of the doll. For example, a dofl fashioned to look like a dog will have four leg appendages, while a doll fashioned to look like an octopus will have eight tentacle appendages. [0057] The arm appendages 42 and the leg appendages SO are sewn onto the body 34 with stitches 72, 74 as shown in Figure 4. This is not the only way of attaching the appendage to the body 34. The same method disclosed above for connecting the body 34 and head 11 with a neck 30 can be employed. Further the appendage can be glued, stapled or melted onto the body 34. [0058] Moreover, the appendage can be flexible. FIG- 1 depicts arm appendages 42. These arm appendages 42 are divided into an upper arm region 44 and a lower arm region 46. The upper arm region 44 and the lower arm region are connected via a joint 48. The leg appendages 50 are similar in design. The leg appendages 50 each have an upper leg region 52 and a lower leg region 58. A joint 54 connects the upper leg region 52 and the lower leg region 58. The joint could employ the same technology as the flexible neck mention previously. This is one way of making the appendage flexible.

[0059] An additional way of making a flexible arm is depicted in FIG, 6. There, an arm appendage 42 has a flexible wire 68 running through it. This flexible wire 68 can be composed of metal, metal alloy or any other flexible material. The flexible

wire 68 bends to allow a user to position the arm appendage 42 in a variety of shapes and forms. If a flexible wire 68 is used, a stuffing material 70 should also be used to fill the space between the flexible wire 68 and the outside of the appendage 66. This stuffing material 70 can be cotton, synthetic material, foam or any other stuffing material known in the art and commonly available in the marketplace. The stuffing material 70 should allow the doll to have a squeezable texture and keep the flexible wire 68 from poking through the material that creates the appendages. [0060] Although in the foregoing detailed description the present invention has been described by reference to various specific embodiments, it is to be understood that modifications and alterations in the structure and arrangement of those embodiments other than those specifically set forth herein may be achieved by those skilled in the art and that such modifications and alterations are to be considered as within the overall scope of this invention.