RELATED APPLICATIONS

[001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 62/572,151 filed October 13, 2017, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[002] This invention relates to an apparatus and method for providing reconfigurable plush toys.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[003] Plush toys are a universal staple of a child's bedroom. For over one hundred years, plush toys (also known as stuffed toys, soft toys, cuddly toys, stuffed animals, plushies, snuggies, stuffies, and snuggled animals) have provided comfort, love, and cheer to children and adults alike. The timeless appeal of plush toys likely lies in their dependability, versatility, softness, cuteness, and happy demeanor.

[004] While plush toys naturally foster creativity and imagination, traditional plush toys depend exclusively on imaginative play since the toy itself is presented as a singular, unchanging unit. Indeed, plush toys typically include a body, head, and appendages positioned in fixed arrangement. The various parts of the toy cannot be detached from one another without destroying the toy. The toy is also unable to physically interact with any other toy or object in any substantive or lasting way. Playtime may be inherently limited by these physical qualities and constraints of the toy.

[005] What are needed are apparatuses and methods that capitalize on the inherent universal appeal of plush toys while promoting extended creative play. Specifically, what are needed are apparatuses and methods that enable a plush toy to be selectively fragmented into discrete parts and reconfigured as desired. This would enable a plush toy to be re-imagined and reconfigured largely without limit. Also what are needed are apparatuses and methods that enable a plush toy to substantively interact with other toys and objects in a lasting manner. Ideally, such apparatuses and methods would provide magnetic elements completely hidden within the plush toy to facilitate selective reconfiguration and interaction while avoiding interference with imaginative play.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[006] In order that the advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings, in which:

[007] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a reconfigurable toy in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

[008] Figure 2 is a side sitting view of a reconfigurable toy in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention;

[009] Figure 3 is a side standing view of a reconfigurable toy in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention;

[0010] Figure 4 is a side standing view of another embodiment of a reconfigurable toy in accordance with the invention;

[0011] Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of magnetic attraction between adjacent magnetic attachment assemblies contained in separate components in accordance with embodiments of the invention;

[0012] Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of a magnetic attachment assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

[0013] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a magnetic attachment assembly in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention; and [0014] Figure 8 is a flow chart of a process for reconfiguring a reconfigurable accordance with certain embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Referring to Figure 1, plush toys have been revered for many years as a source of comfort, love, and foundation for creative play. Traditional plush toys, however, depend exclusively on imaginative play, since the toy itself is presented as one unit with a body that is fixedly connected to a head, arms, and legs. The various parts of the toy cannot be detached from one another without destroying the toy, and the toy is unable to physically interact with any other toy or object in any substantive or lasting way. Playtime may be inherently limited by these constraints. Embodiments of the present invention address these issues.

[0016] As used herein, the term "plush toy" refers to any type of stuffed animal, doll, or other soft toy or object known to those in the art. A plush toy may have exterior surfaces comprising a textile such as fabric, silicone, rubber, plastic, velcro, or the like, and an interior space substantially filled with a flexible material such as cotton, paper, air, synthetic fiber batting, straw, wood wool, plastic pellets, beans, or the like. A plush toy may assume any form known to those in the art, including animals, legendary creatures, cartoon characters or inanimate objects.

[0017] As shown in Figure 1, one embodiment of a reconfigurable plush toy 100 in accordance with the invention may include a plush body 102 and one or more appendages 104a-e selectively attached thereto. As shown, the reconfigurable plush toy 100 is a teddy bear with a plush body 102 having appendages 104a-e including a head 104a, arms 104b, 104c, and legs 104d, 104e. In other embodiments, the reconfigurable plush toy 100 may formed to resemble any animal or object known to those in the art. Appendages 104a-e may correspond to a particular embodiment of the reconfigurable plush toy 100, and may include heads, necks, arms, legs, fingers, toes, tails, ears, wings, facial features, beards, mustaches, and/or the like. [0018] In some embodiments, one or more magnet assemblies 106a-d may be used to attach an appendage 104a-e to the plush body 102. A magnet assembly 106 may include one or more magnets, including electromagnets and/or permanent magnets, hidden within a joint of the reconfigurable plush toy 100. In some embodiments, the magnets may be included within a magnet assembly 106 to enable a smooth, three hundred and sixty degree (360°) range of motion when an appendage 104a-e is attached to the plush body 102. The magnet assembly 106a-d may further allow such appendages 104a-e to be easily detached and reconfigured relative to the plush body 102.

[0019] In some embodiments, the magnet assembly 106a-d may be fully incorporated into the plush body 102 and/or appendage 104a-e such that it is invisible to a user, and does not obstruct a range of motion for the joint. A user may thus initially assume that the reconfigurable plush toy 100 is constructed in the traditional manner, with appendages 104a-e fixed in place relative to the plush body 102. Indeed, in some embodiments, the strength of the magnetic connection between the plush body 102 and each appendage 104a-e may enable the user to pick up the reconfigurable plush toy 100 by an appendage 104a-e, without causing the appendage 104a-e to fall off. The user may be pleasantly surprised to find that the appendages 104a-e may be selectively detached from the plush body 102 by applying an opposing force, and selectively reattached by simply placing the appendage 104a-e near a desired joint on the plush body 102.

[0020] In certain embodiments, the magnet assembly 106a-d may create a strong bond between the plush body 102 and the appendage 104a-e such that the entire weight of the reconfigurable plush toy 100 may be supported by the strength of the magnetic connection between the plush body 102 and any single appendage 104a-e, or between any joint of the reconfigurable plush toy 100 and a ferromagnetic surface. [0021] In some embodiments, as discussed in more detail below, a magnet assembly 106a-d may include various layers of material to provide desired kinetic and acoustic functionality. For example, magnetic attraction between magnet assemblies 106a-d contained within each of the plush body 102 and an appendage 104a-e may result in a satisfying "snap" noise when the appendage 104a-e is attached to the plush body 102. The noise may be created by the layers of material inside the magnet assembly 106a-d and may reassure the user that they have correctly assembled the reconfigurable plush toy 100.

[0022] Referring now to Figure 2, in certain embodiments, magnet assemblies 106a-f may be incorporated into the plush body 102 and appendages 104a-e at one or more joints 202a, 202b, 202c. Multiple joints 202a, 202b, 202c may be provided to facilitate reconfiguration of appendages 104a-e relative to the plush body 102. For example, as shown, a first magnet assembly 106a may be incorporated into the plush body 102 at a first joint location 202a. The first magnet assembly 106a may attract a second magnet assembly 106b integrated into a head 104a or other appendage 104a-e. Magnetic attraction between the first and second magnet assemblies 106a, 106b may effectively attach the head 104a or other appendage 104a-e to the plush body 102, while allowing the head 104a to smoothly rotate a full 360° at the first joint location 202a.

[0023] In some embodiments, other magnet assemblies 106a-f may be integrated into the plush body 102 at other joint locations 202a, 202b, 202c. An appendage 104a-e attached at one joint location 202a, 202b, 202c may be detached and re-oriented or moved to another joint location 202a, 202b, 202c to reconfigure the reconfigurable plush toy 100 as desired.

[0024] As shown, for example, the head 104a of the reconfigurable plush toy 100 may be detached from the from the first joint location 202a and re-oriented such that the first magnet assembly 106a of the plush body 102 attaches to a vertically-oriented magnet assembly 106g in the head 104a rather than to a horizontally-oriented magnet assembly 106b in the head 104a. In alternative embodiments, the head 104a may be removed from the first joint location 202a on the plush body 102 and attached to a second joint location 202b on the plush body 102.

[0025] In some embodiments, magnet assemblies 106a-f may be integrated into each reconfigurable plush toy 100 within the product line such that the plush body 102 and appendages 104a-e of one reconfigurable plush toy 200 may be interchanged with plush bodies 102 and appendages 104a-e of other reconfigurable plush toys 200 in the product line. For example, in some embodiments, a plush body 102 and head 104a of a teddy bear may be combined with arms 104b of a monkey, legs 104d of a frog, and a tail 204 of a rabbit. In other embodiments, multiple heads 104a, arms 104b, legs 104d, or tails 204 from various

reconfigurable plush toys 200 may be attached to the same plush body 102.

[0026] In certain embodiments, the magnet assemblies 106a-f may be positioned such that any appendage 104a-e may connect to any joint location 202a, 202b, 202c on a plush body 102, but multiple plush bodies 102 may not connect to each other due to the polarity of the magnets inside the magnet assemblies 106a-f, as discussed in more detail below.

[0027] Referring now to Figure 3, another embodiment of a reconfigurable plush toy 300 in accordance with the invention may include an additional magnet assembly 106h incorporated into the back 302 of the plush body 102. This additional magnet assembly 106h may be positioned to allow the head 104a of the reconfigurable plush toy 300 to be selectively moved between the top 304 and the back 302 of the plush body 102. Reorienting the head 104a in this manner may allow a user to selectively change the orientation of the reconfigurable plush toy 300 between a seated position and a walking position. [0028] In other embodiments, the additional magnet assembly 106h in the back 302 of the plush body 102 may be used in addition to the magnet assembly 106a located at the top 304 of the plush body 102. In one embodiment, for example, a head 104a may be attached to the top 304 magnet assembly 106a, while wings are attached to the back 302 magnet assembly 106h. In another embodiment, the head 104a may be attached to the back 302 of the plush body 102 while a magnetic accessory is attached to the top 304 of the plush body 102. Magnetic accessories may include, for example, hats, jewelry, clothing, food items, shoes, blankets, and the like.

[0029] In some embodiments, a reconfigurable plush toy 300 in accordance with the invention may be infinitely poseable by rotating each of the attached appendages 104a-e as desired within the full 360° range of motion allowed by the corresponding magnet assembly 106. The strength of the magnetic attraction between adjacent magnet assemblies 106a-f may also allow a particular pose to be maintained for an indefinite period of time. In certain

embodiments, one or more magnet assemblies 106a-f, such as the additional magnet assembly 106h located on the back 302 of the plush body 102, may allow the reconfigurable plush toy 300 to be placed on any magnetic surface such that the entire weight of the reconfigurable plush toy 300 is supported by the magnetic connection therebetween. A magnet assembly 106 may allow the reconfigurable plush toy 300 to be selectively attached, for example, to a refrigerator, a metal chair, a car, or the like.

[0030] Referring now to Figure 4, an alternative embodiment of a reconfigurable plush toy 400 in accordance with the invention may provide a vertically-oriented magnet assembly 106g in addition to a horizontally-oriented magnet assembly 106b in a head 104a appendage. The additional vertically-oriented magnet assembly 106g may be selectively attached to a magnet assembly 106a located at the top 304 of the plush body 102 to provide an alternative walking position. In other embodiments, the additional vertically-oriented magnet assembly 106g may enable attachment of a magnetic accessory or appendage 104a-e such as a hat, hair bow, ears, or the like.

[0031] Of course, any accessory or appendage 104a-e of a reconfigurable plush toy 400 may be attached or detached in multiple configurations, and embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the depicted configurations. Moreover, accessories and appendages 104a-e need not be configured in traditional arrangements or combinations. For example, an arm 104b may be attached to the plush body 102 at a joint location 202 traditionally reserved for a leg 104d. Further, some embodiments of accessories and appendages 104a-e may include multiple magnet assemblies 106a-f, which may allow for a greater number of possible combinations and configurations of the reconfigurable plush toy 400.

[0032] Referring now to Figure 5, a system 500 for reconfiguring a reconfigurable plush toy 100 in accordance with embodiments of the invention may include a first magnet assembly 106a integrated into a plush body 102 of the toy and a second magnet assembly 106b integrated into an appendage 104a-e or accessory of the reconfigurable plush toy 100. Opposing magnetic poles of each of the magnet assemblies 106a-f may attract each other through layers of fabric, silicone, rubber, plastic, velcro, and other exterior surfaces and materials of the reconfigurable plush toy 100. In some embodiments, opposing magnet assemblies 106a-f may also attract each other through interior materials of the plush body 102 and/or appendages 104a-e or accessories.

[0033] As shown, a south pole of a first magnet assembly 106a may attract a north pole of a second magnet assembly 106b through an exterior layer 502 of the plush body 102 and an exterior layer 504 of an appendage 104a-e. As previously discussed, in some embodiments, magnetic attraction between the two magnet assemblies 106a, 106b may be sufficient to support the entire weight of the reconfigurable plush toy 100 at each joint, and to provide easy 360° rotation of all appendages 104a-e. Ideally, in certain embodiments, a magnet assembly 106 providing these characteristics may be achieved by utilizing a magnet comprised of, for example, samarium-cobalt, neodymium, electromagnets, stainless steel, or the like. In one embodiment, a rare earth magnet may be used.

[0034] Disc magnets may achieve the desired play characteristic of the reconfigurable plush toy 100 by providing a freely rotating joint 202 that allows for a nearly infinite number of poses. Magnet specifications may allow any joint 202 to support the full weight of the reconfigurable plush toy 100 by maintaining a connected appendage 104a-e, or by placing the reconfigurable plush toy 100 on a magnetic surface.

[0035] While various sizes, shapes, and types of magnets may be used, one embodiment of the present invention may include the following specifications:

[0036] (1) 18 mm diameter x 3 mm tall N50 grade zinc coated Neodymium disc magnet; and

[0037] (2) 13mm diameter x 3 mm tall N50 grade zinc coated Neodymium disc magnet.

[0038] In one embodiment, the 18 mm x 3 mm magnet may be used on joints that require a larger surface area and a stronger magnetic connection to support the weight of a larger appendage 104a-e, such as a head 104a of the reconfigurable plush toy 100. In certain embodiments, these magnets may be used at joint locations 202 corresponding to the bottom of the head 104a, the top 304 of the plush body 102, and/or the back 302 of the plush body 102.

[0039] In other embodiments, the 13 mm x 3 mm magnets may be used on the joint of the reconfigurable plush toy 100 used to hold in place lower weight appendages 104a-e, such as arms 104b and legs 104d. These magnets may be integrated into the end of each arm 104b and leg 104d, as well as on the plush body 102 at each arm 104b and leg 104d joint location 202.

[0040] Referring now to Figure 6, a magnet assembly 106 may include layers of elements to securely hold a magnet in place, and to achieve desired kinetic and acoustic properties of each joint of the reconfigurable plush toy 100. In certain embodiments, a magnet assembly 106 may include a base layer 602, an acoustic feedback layer 606, a magnetic layer 604, and a retaining element 608.

[0041] In some embodiments, the base layer 602 may be made of a flexible material such as fabric, silicone, rubber, plastic, velcro, foam, or any other material to substantially retain an acoustic feedback layer 606 and/or magnetic layer 604 while maintaining a feeling of softness through an exterior surface of the reconfigurable plush toy 100. In certain embodiments, the base layer 602 may be substantially circular in shape, having an interior recess or carved-out portion to retain the acoustic feedback layer 606 and/or magnetic layer 604. The interior recess may include a diameter just larger than the acoustic feedback layer 606 and/or magnetic layer 604 such that such layers 604, 606 may be press fit into the recess. In other embodiments, an adhesive may couple the base layer 602 to the acoustic feedback layer 606 and/or magnetic layer 604, or the base layer 602 may be otherwise molded around or coupled to the acoustic feedback layer 606 and/or magnetic layer 604 by any means known to those in the art.

[0042] In some embodiments, the base layer 602 may be a disc-shaped component made of a flexible material such as ethylene-vinyl acetate ("EVA") foam, injection-molded or thermoplastic elastomer ("TPE"), or the like, having dimensions such that the base layer 602 substantially surrounds the magnetic layer 604 to hold it in place. In this manner, the base layer 602 may secure the magnetic layer 604 and prevent it from coming loose and posing a safety hazard to a user. The greater dimensions of the base layer 602 may also increase the surface area of a corresponding joint 202, thereby minimizing wobble between magnet assemblies 106a-f at that joint 202. The greater dimensions of the base layer 602 relative to the acoustic feedback layer 606 and/or magnetic layer 604 may further provide a soft, flexible housing to disguise the rigidity of such layers 606, 604 and thereby maintain the softness and cuddly appeal of the reconfigurable plush toy 300.

[0043] As shown, the magnet assembly 106 may be constructed by positioning the acoustic feedback layer 606 on top of the base layer 602 to provide the desired acoustic feedback noise or "snap." In some embodiments, the acoustic feedback layer 606 may be placed in a recess of the base layer 602. In other embodiments, the acoustic feedback layer 606 may be positioned on top of the base layer 602. The acoustic feedback layer 606 may include, for example, cardboard, stainless steel, or any other substantially rigid magnetic or non-magnetic component to provide acoustic feedback in response to a mechanical force.

[0044] The magnetic layer 604 may be positioned on top of the base layer 602 and acoustic feedback layer 606. In this manner, magnetic connection between the magnetic layer 604 and an adjacent magnetic element (such as an appendage 104a-e or other magnetic surface) may result in a mechanical force that is audibly reflected to the user by the acoustic feedback layer 606. The magnetic layer 604 may include a ferromagnetic material such as neodymium, iron, boron, samarium, cobalt, aluminum, nickel, ceramic ferrite, ferritic stainless steel, or the like.

[0045] In one embodiment, the acoustic feedback layer 606 includes a ferromagnetic metal, such as ferritic stainless steel. The acoustic feedback layer 606 may be disc-shaped to substantially match the shape and dimensions of the magnetic layer 604. In this embodiment, the magnetism of the acoustic feedback layer 606 may increase the strength of the magnet assembly 106, while also attracting the magnetic layer 604 through the base layer 602 to provide independent structural support for the magnet assembly 106.

[0046] Finally, in some embodiments, a retaining element 608 may be used to secure the base layer 602, acoustic feedback layer 606, and magnetic layer 604. The retaining element 608 may include, for example, an adhesive, a thermoplastic elastomer, a thermoplastic polyurethane, or any other such material known to those in the art. In one embodiment, the retaining element 608 may be a thermoplastic polyurethane foam that is sealed to substantially encase or envelop the base layer 602, acoustic feedback layer 606, and magnetic layer 604. In any case, the retaining element 608 may be substantially flexible so as not to render obvious the magnet assembly 106 within the reconfigurable plush toy 100, or to detract from its softness and cuddly aesthetics.

[0047] Referring now to Figure 7, alternative embodiments of a magnet assembly 106 in accordance with the invention may include more than one acoustic feedback layer 606 and/or magnetic layer 604 retained by a base layer 602. As shown, for example, a substantially discshaped base layer 602 may include multiple recesses 606a-d to retain corresponding acoustic feedback layers 606 and/or magnetic layers 604. In another embodiment, a single acoustic feedback layer 606 may back a base layer 602 housing multiple magnetic layers 604. Of course, any number and/or combination of acoustic feedback layers 606 and/or magnetic layers 604 may be retained by or combined with a base layer 602 in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

[0048] In certain embodiments, the top surface of the magnetic layer 604 may lie substantially flush with a top surface of the base layer 602 to optimize magnetic connection between the magnet assembly 106 and an adjacent magnetic element. This structure may also minimize interference with the softness and smoothness of the reconfigurable plush toy 100 since the flexible base layer 602 may be felt through the exterior surface of the toy 100, rather than the rigid edges of an acoustic feedback layer 606 or magnetic layer 604.

[0049] The magnet assembly 106 may be incorporated into the reconfigurable plush toy 300 at each joint location 202a, 202b, 202c in the plush body 102 and appendages 104a-e. In some embodiments, this may be effected by a two-step process. First, the magnet assembly 106 may be sewn or otherwise incorporated into a pocket. The pocket may be made of fabric or any other substantially flexible retaining material of any shape or size, according to the specifications of a particular plush body 102 or appendage 104a-e. In one embodiment, the pocket may be made of two pieces of disc-shaped fabric coupled together to form a component that can be directly incorporated into the reconfigurable plush toy 100. In another embodiment, the pocket may be formed from a single piece of material directly coupled to a reverse side of an exterior surface of the reconfigurable plush toy 100. The pocket may be sewn or otherwise incorporated into each desired joint location 202a, 202b, 202c on the plush body 102 and appendages 104a-e, such that the magnetic layer 604 and surrounding base layer 602 face outward toward the exterior surface of the reconfigurable plush toy 100.

[0050] Referring now to Figure 8, a method 800 for reconfiguring a plush toy in accordance with some embodiments of the invention may include providing 802 a plush body having one or more magnet assemblies incorporated therein. An appendage may also include one or more magnet assemblies, and may be positioned 804 proximate the plush body. As previously mentioned, an appendage may include, for example, a head, neck, arm, leg, finger, toe, tail, ear, wing, facial feature, beard, mustache, or the like. [0051] Magnetic attraction between a magnet assembly 106 in the plush body and a magnet assembly 106 in the appendage may couple 806 the appendage to the body. The user may receive 808 audible feedback upon connection of the appendage to the body. In some embodiments, this audible feedback may be responsive to the mechanical force adjoining the magnet assemblies.

[0052] In certain embodiments, the appendage may be selectively removed 810 from the body and coupled 812 to an alternate location. In other embodiments, the appendage may be removed 810 and selectively replaced by another appendage or accessory. The method 800 may then return to position 804 an appendage proximate the plush body to continue play.

[0053] What is claimed is: