Abstract:
An article having a two-sided, movable member with integral features on the front, that is connected to the body portion of the doll on at least one edge and is moveable to alternate positions to vary the appearance of the embodiment. The body of the doll has integral features and shows an alternate expression than the movable member. The movable member doubles as a cape once the panel is flipped over. The movable member could cover all or part of the body of the toy underneath. The movable member could be made of, and the body could be made of and stuffed with various materials in singular or combinations thereof, including, but not limited to foam, polyfill, cotton fabric, wool, wood, plastic, metal, leather, or rubber. The body of the toy could have appendages such as arms, legs, ears, or tails attached or none of the aforementioned.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of PPA Ser. No. 61/854,391, filed 2013 Apr. 23 by the present inventor, which is incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    This application relates to an article, such as a plush stuffed toy, having at least one movable member that is movable to at least two alternate positions to vary the appearance of the one or more features and movable member then functions as a different object. Plush toys are an important part of the toy industry. A throwback to earlier days, stuffed toys require a child to use his or her imagination to engage in play and express themselves. Plush toys are an enduring industry favorite and serve as comfort items, imaginary friends and playmates for children, and collector items for adults. Stuffed toys also give customers a low-cost option when searching for a gift. Manufacturers, inventors, and designers must continue to create new processes and designs to keep kids engaged. 
       BACKGROUND 
     Prior Art 
       [0003]    The following is a tabulation of some prior art that presently appears relevant; 
         [0000]                                    Patent Number   Publication Date   Applicant                   U.S. Pat. No. 6,425,796 B1   Jun. 20, 2002   Joan Gaynor, Tina Ying, Ivy Ross       U.S. Pat. No. 3,811,220 A   May 21, 1974   Kathy A. Dunn, Marvin Glass       U.S. Pat. No. 4,798,556 A   Jan. 17, 1989   Paul D. Vicars, Roy J. Hendricks,               Eugene F. goubeaux, Jr.       U.S. Pat. No. 5,178,574 A   Jan. 12, 1993   Ken Evoy       WO 2006078180 A1   Jul. 27, 2006   Dana Mihaela Jianu       U.S. Pat. No. 5,848,900 A   Dec. 15, 1998   Linda C. Pearson       U.S. Pat. No. 4,614,505 A   Sep. 30, 1986   Thomas P. Schneider, Susan E. Trentel       U.S. Pat. No. 6,962,517 B2   Nov. 8, 2005   David Murray       U.S. Pat. No. 5,676,584 A   Oct. 14, 1997   Joyce A. Perryman       U.S. Pat. No. 5,649,848 A   Jul. 22, 1997   Stanton W. Clark       U.S. Pat. No. 5,115,528 A   May 26, 1992   Stuart Lamie       US 20090176437   Jul. 9, 2009   Steve Jaqua, Matthew Allen Perry       U.S. Pat. No. 5,215,493   Jun. 1, 1993   Karen Zgrodek, Stephanie Leechow       U.S. Pat. No. 4,781,648   Nov. 1, 1988   Henry Garfinkel       WO 2005089896 A1   Sep. 29, 2005   Renee faggen, Eileen Morris,               Spencer Morris                    
U.S. Pat. No. 6,425,796 B1, issued to Joan Gaynor, Tina Ying, Ivy Ross, Jun. 20, 2002 discloses a FASHION DOLL TRANSFORMING FROM PRINCESS TO BRIDE. The outer face of the hand mirror supports a dual-image lenticular lens display which transforms the presented image in response to pivotable movement of doll&#39;s arm. The doll further supports a tiara worn upon the doll&#39;s head together with a wedding veil which is alternately attachable to the doll&#39;s waist and to the tiara. While plastic dolls are a staple of the toy industry, they are not as soft and cuddley as plush dolls.
 
         [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,811,220 A, issued to Kathy A. Dunn, Marvin Glass, May 21, 1974 discloses a RAG DOLL WITH CHANGEABLE FEATURES. This toy specifies using buttons as a primary means of securing the changeable panels which would limit the use and pleasure by very young children who lack the dexterity of older kids. This invention changes its decorative features by flipping panels, but no functional change in mode of play or the character itself. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,798,556 A, issued to Paul D. Vicars, Roy J. Hendricks, Eugene F. Goubeaux, Jr. Jan. 17, 1989 discloses an ARTICLE HAVING A CHANGEABLE EXPRESSION FACE. This toy changes expression by rotating small components on the articles face. Though the components are changeable, the mode of the character remains the same—the eyes are still eyes, the mouth is still just a mouth and limits the scope of invention. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,178,574 A, issued to Ken Evoy, Jan. 12, 1993 discloses an ARTICLE HAVING A MOVABLE FOLD MEMBER FOR ALTERATION OF A FEATURE. Although this invention has movable members that alter a feature of the character, the character does not change with the function of the movable member. 
         [0007]    WO 2006078180 A1, issued to Dana Mihaela Jianu, Jul. 27, 2006 DOLL. This invention refers to a doll meant for children or adults as a way of active relaxing, having an educational, creativity stimulator or therapeutic purpose. This invention is a basic impersonalized doll which has no characteristic expression regarding its body, sex, race, age, etc., composed of head, body, Patent articulated and removable upper and lower limbs. A disadvantage to be noticed by this invention is that for each doll part that is removable, it could be lost at any time, rendering the doll scary to some children thus discouraging the use and limiting playability. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,848,900 A, issued to Linda C. Pearson, Dec. 15, 1998 discloses a DOLL HAVING CHANGEABLE FACE ELEMENTS. This invention has removably attachable face element which could be damaged enough by repeatedly taking off and putting back on to where the hook and loop fasteners would not work. The attachable face element could also be put in the wrong position by very young children and is a clumsy method of changing the faces. The attachable element could also be left behind at a park or at school and lost altogether. This invention also focuses on the educational area of psychology rather than promoting the importance free imagination and play. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,614,505 A, issued to Thomas P. Schneider, Susan E. Trentel, Sep. 30, 1986 discloses a TRANSFORMABLE TOY FIGURE which progressively transforms into different configurations. While this invention might have had a novelty factor for some kids when it was introduced, it is complicated for the very young to manipulate and therefore limits the toy&#39;s maximum usage. 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,962,517 B2, issued to David Murray, Nov. 8, 2005 discloses a TOY STUFFED ANIMAL HAVING CONVERTIBLE CONFIGURATIONS that emulates the awakening of the stuffed animal upon the user touching one of various locations upon the body of the stuffed animal thereby activating an appropriate pre-recorded audio message. With the proliferation of many high-tech toys, electronic tablets and smart phones with unlimited apps and games, a toy that is limited to repeating the same pre-messages, could be unbearably boring to kids. 
         [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,676,584 A, issued to Joyce A. Perryman, Oct. 14, 1997 discloses a DOLL WITH INTERCHANGEABLE FACES. This invention includes a nondescript head portion, with a series of interchangeable head “slip covers”. The problem arrises when slip covers are put on incorrectly or during the process of changing head slip covers leaves the doll with no face and can be unappealing and frightening to children. 
         [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,649,848 A, issued to Stanton W. Clark, Jul. 22, 1997 discloses a REVERSIBLE PLUSH TOY that has two designs, such as two animal shapes, which turn inside-out into each other by consuming and regurgitating each other through a shared wide mouth. While this toy could be construed as clever, it could also be complicated to manipulate for very young children. 
         [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,115,528 A, issued to Stuart Lamie, May 26, 1992 discloses a PILLOW TRANSFORMABLE INTO ANIMAL CHARACTER. While convertible pillow toys have been popular in the recent past, toys that have to be large enough to support a child&#39;s head during rest, inhibits portability, thus limiting the toys possible usage. 
         [0014]    US 20090176437, issued to Steve Jaqua, Matthew Allen Perry, Jul. 9, 2009 discloses COMBINATION STUFFED TOY WITH CHARACTERISTICS OF MULTIPLE KINDS OF ENTITIES. This toy contains features of both a plant and an animal. This plant-animal combination toy requires users to figure out what the plant-animal combination is. 
         [0015]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,215,493, issued to Karen Zgrodek, Stephanie Leechow, Jun. 1, 1993 discloses a STUFFED TOY WITH CHANGEABLE FACIAL EXPRESSION. The expression can be changed by rotating the eye and mouth members. This invention actually states that the pickle character lends itself to use by disturbed children. 
         [0016]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,781,648, issued to Henry Garfinkel, Nov. 1, 1988 discloses a REVERSIBLE PLUSH TOY. This toy, when manipulated, inverts from one character to another, but a zipper on a plush toy is not the most comfortable component on a kid&#39;s toy, and if left partially zipped, could injure a child. 
         [0017]    WO 2005089896 A1, issued to Renee faggen, Eileen Morris, Spencer Morris, Sep. 29, 2005 discloses FACIAL FEATURE ASSEMBLY 
       Advantages 
       [0018]    The present embodiment solves the problem of having a toy with detachable pieces that may be lost. Has a permanently attached movable member so it could never be lost. Has an easy and simple way of transforming between different characters by the provision of a movable member. Promotes fun and the development of the imagination by allowing kids, adults, and collectors to act out and role play different characters with the same toy. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0019]    In accordance with one embodiment an article has at least one primary, two-sided movable member of material that is hingedly connected to the body portion of the toy on at least one edge and is moveable to alternate positions to vary the features and function of the article. 
         [0020]    DRAWINGS 
     
    
     
       FIGURES 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  sets forth a perspective view of toy with the primary, two-sided movable member in the first position. 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  sets forth a side view of toy with the movable member in the first position. 
           [0023]      FIG. 3A  sets forth a front view of toy with the movable member in the first position. 
           [0024]      FIG. 3B  sets forth a rear view of toy with the movable member in the first position. 
           [0025]      FIGS. 4A to 4Q  sets forth a front view of toy with the movable member in a sequence flipping from first position to second position. 
           [0026]      FIGS. 5A to 5Q  sets forth a side view of toy with the movable member in a sequence flipping from first position to second position. 
           [0027]      FIGS. 6A to 6Q  sets forth a rear view of toy with the movable member in a sequence flipping from first position to second position. 
           [0028]      FIG. 7  sets forth a side view of toy with the movable member in the second position. 
           [0029]      FIG. 8A  sets forth a front view of toy with the movable member in the second position. 
           [0030]      FIG. 8B  sets forth a rear view of toy with the movable member in the second position. 
           [0031]      FIG. 9A  sets forth a front view of the two-sided movable member. 
           [0032]      FIG. 9B  sets forth a rear view of the two-sided movable member with half of the temporary closing system. 
           [0033]      FIG. 9C  sets forth a side view of the two-sided movable member with half of the temporary closing system attached. 
       
    
    
     REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       [0000]    
       
         
           
               100  perspective view of toy 
               102  primary, two-sided movable member 
               102 A side view of the front half two-sided movable member 
               102 B side view of the rear half two-sided movable member 
               104  head-body unit of toy 
               106  cranky monster mouth 
               108  cranky monster eyes 
               202  foot 
               204  hand 
               206  arm 
               208  permanent attachment end of movable member 
               210  temporarily attached end of movable member 
               702  “female” component of hook and loop fastener 
               704  “male” component of hook and loop fastener 
               706  happy superhero mouth 
               708  happy superhero eyes 
               710  superhero mask feature 
           
         
       
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     First Embodiment 
     Figs 
       [0051]    Having thus summarized the general nature of the embodiment and its essential features, certain preferred embodiments and modifications thereof will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description herein having reference to the figures that follow. 
         [0052]    This embodiment is in the form of a plush stuffed monster toy that transforms into a superhero character with a cape and mask by the provision of a movable member. We all contain both good and evil. Kids need to playact their feelings. They don&#39;t have the vocabulary or the self-awareness to identify and subsequently deal with their fear and anxieties. Most kids are seeking a sense of control over powerful emotions, so they identify with extreme versions of bad guys and monsters. Kids transform these feelings and fears into physical beings that can be looked at, played with, and ultimately vanquished. 
         [0053]    Superheroes and superheroine characters possess extraordinary talents, superhuman powers, and are dedicated to protecting the public. Superheroes use their power to counter day-to-day crime while also defending the earth and threats against humanity by supervillains. Secret identities protect superhero&#39;s friends and families from becoming targets of his or her enemies. Superheroes are very appealing to kids at a sensory level because they wear colorful costumes, are fast and stimulating, but more importantly, superheroes send the message to kids of good battling and winning out over evil. And when superheroes work together, they send the message that teamwork is a valuable thing—or working alone, sends the message that one person can make a difference. 
         [0054]    It is therefore, an object of the present embodiment to provide a child&#39;s toy that allows the child to role-play the part of a “cranky monster”. Another object of the present embodiment is to provide the child to quickly and easily change to the role of a “superhero”. The toy is constructed of a soft material comprising of a primary, two-sided movable member having “cranky monster” facial features, partially concealing the main stuffed member underneath, having “superhero” facial features such as eyes, superhero mask, a body with arms, hands, feet, and the movable member converting a to superhero cape. 
         [0055]      FIG. 1  sets forth a perspective view of toy of the first embodiment. The toy will be generally referenced by numeral  100 . The toy is in the configuration of a doll with a stuffed head-body unit  104  that consists of two panels of fabric material, stuffed with a soft stuffing material such as polyfill, or other such material well known in the art, with the primary, two-sided movable member  102 , front side  102 A and rear side  102 B, that is made of fabric material that is attached on at least one edge to head-body  104 . The movable member  102 , in the temporarily closed position is referred to as the first position, or first configuration. The movable member  102  partially conceals fanciful features on head-body unit  104  underneath. The movable member  102 , on the front side  102 A, has a fanciful cranky monster mouth  106 , and fanciful cranky monster eye  108  features. The fanciful cranky monster mouth  106 , and fanciful cranky monster eye  108  features may be sewn, screen printed, appliquéd, or other methods well known in the art, onto or into movable member  102 . The movable member  102  will be contoured to match the general shape of the character&#39;s head-body unit  104  underneath. The head-body unit  104  will have arms  206 , hands  204 , feet  202 , and the movable member  102  that is able to convert into a “superhero” cape  102 B. The front side  102 A and rear side  102 B of movable member  102 , will consist of different color fabric to distinguish rear side  102 B as a cape. The rear side  102 B (not fully shown) of movable member  102 , will have the “female” half of hook and loop fastening system  704  (not shown). 
         [0056]      FIG. 2  sets forth a side view of toy  100  with the two-sided movable member  102  in the first position. The movable member  102  is permanently attached on at least one edge  208  to head-body unit  104  and is temporarily attached on at least one edge  210  by means of the temporary closing system  702  and  704  situated on the lower portion of the rear side  102 B of movable member  102 . A hook and loop fastening system  702  and  704  can be used to temporarily hold movable member  102  in the first position, although various other types of temporary closing systems could also be used, including, but not limited to snaps, magnets, buttons, zippers, and more. 
         [0057]      FIG. 3A  sets forth a front view of toy  100  with the movable member  102  in the first position. 
         [0058]      FIG. 3B  sets forth a rear view of toy  100  with the movable member  102  in the first position. 
         [0059]      FIGS. 4A to 4Q  sets forth a front view of toy  100  with the movable member  102  showing the cranky monster feature mouth  106 , cranky monster eyes  108 , in a sequence flipping from first position to second position, thus hiding the fanciful cranky monster features  106  and  108  to reveal a fanciful superhero mask  710  feature of toy head-body unit  104 , and fanciful happy superhero eyes  708  and fanciful happy superhero mouth  706 . The fanciful happy superhero eyes  708 , mouth  706 , and mask  710  features may be sewn, screen printed, appliquéd, or other methods well known in the art, onto or into head-body unit  104 . The 210 end of movable member  102  is manually lifted by hand from first position, separating temporary closing system  702  and  704 , and flipped to second position, or second configuration. In this position, movable member may not be held in place as to function as a cape that is loose and may emulate swinging in the wind. 
         [0060]      FIGS. 5A to 5Q  sets forth a side view of toy  100  with the movable member  102  in a sequence flipping from first position to second position, thus hiding the cranky monster features  106  and  108  to reveal a superhero features  706 ,  708 ,  710 , and female half of hook and loop fastener  702  of toy head-body unit  104 . In this embodiment, the movable member  102  in the second position, does not necessarily need to be held in place since it now represents a new cape feature  102 B. In another embodiment, movable member  102  in the second position could be temporarily held in place depending on the mode of the embodiment. 
         [0061]      FIGS. 6A to 6Q  sets forth a rear view of toy  100  with the movable member  102  in a sequence flipping from first position to second position, transforming movable member  102  in a cape feature  102 B also showing male half  704  of hook and loop fastening system. 
         [0062]      FIG. 7  sets forth a side view of toy  100  with the movable  102  member in the second position, having a cape feature  102 B with the male half  704  of hook and loop fastener, female half  702  of hook and loop fastener, happy superhero mouth  706 , happy superhero eyes  708 , and superhero mask  710  revealed. The fabric portion of mask  710  could match the same fabric and color as cape  102 B for aesthetic purposes, although they don&#39;t have to. The male half  704  of hook and loop fastener should be located towards the lower portion of cape feature  102 B and situated to meet the female half  702  of hook and loop fastener when in the first position. 
         [0063]      FIG. 8A  sets forth front view of toy  100  with the movable  102  member in the second position, with female half  702  of hook and loop fastener, happy superhero mouth  706 , happy superhero eyes  708 , and superhero mask  710 . 
         [0064]      FIG. 8B  sets forth rear view of toy  100  with the movable  102  member in the second position, having a cape feature  102 B with the male half  704  of hook and loop fastener. 
         [0065]      FIG. 9A  sets forth a front view of the two-sided movable member  102 , front side  102 A with cranky monster feature mouth  106  and cranky monster eyes  108 . 
         [0066]      FIG. 9B  sets forth a rear view of the two-sided movable member  102 , rear side  102 B with half of the temporary closing system  704 . 
         [0067]      FIG. 9C  sets forth a side view of the two-sided movable member  102 , denoting the front half  102 A and rear half  102 B with half of the temporary closing system  704 . The preferred material for forming the the movable member  102  of the present embodiment is a flexible fabric or fabric-like material that is durable and capable of being securely attached to the stuffed toy head-body unit  104 . The materials forming the movable member  102  of the present embodiment may be selected from appropriate materials or mixtures of materials, and thickness, texture, profile patterns and color can be selected as desired, as can the size of the toy  100  and movable feature  102 . The preferred material for forming the present embodiment may be selected from appropriate washable materials or mixtures of materials that are soft to the touch such as, for example, cotton, wool, velvet, velour, chenille, polyester or the like. 
       Operation  
       [0068]    The present embodiment has feet  202  that are wide and flat enough for toy  100  to stand alone without tipping over, arms  206  that are soft and flexible to be manipulated by user, a movable member  102  with fanciful features  106  and  108 , that is permanently attached at one end  208 , held down by a temporary fastening hook and loop system  702  and  704 , that can be detached at the temporarily fastened end  210 , flipped over to reveal and alternate fanciful features  706 ,  708 , and  710 , then becoming a cape feature  102 B, not held down necessarily as to mimic a flapping cape. 
       DESCRIPTION 
     Alternate Embodiments 
       [0069]    There are various possibilities with regard combining character types and fanciful features of the movable member  102  front side  102 A and fanciful features of the main head-body unit  104  of toy. The movable member  102 , once flipped over  102 B could also functions as wings, a turtle shell, hair, fish scales, dinosaur scales, shark fin, horses mane, lions mane, reptile skin, animal skin, reflective skin, glow-in-the-dark skin, heat-sensitive skin, a back pack, jet pack, simulated flames, scuba tanks, mobile phone case, wallet or other modes of play. This embodiment could also be made in flattened versions with little or no filling as well. 
       CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE 
       [0070]    With a toy figure constructed according to the principals of the present embodiment, there are other configurations that may be derived from the present embodiment. The first embodiment sets forth a figure in which the fanciful movable member comprises facial components, hingedly attached to the fanciful body portion with different facial components, is manually changed from a “cranky monster-to-superhero-with-cape” by means of an quick and easy movable member. 
         [0071]    What has been shown is a simple but novel stuffed toy doll that can be used by persons of almost any age. 
         [0072]    While my above description contains many specificities, these should not be construes as limitations on the scope, but rather as an exemplification of one embodiment thereof. Many other variations are possible. For example the movable member  102  front side  102 A could be a zombie, or a pirate, or a robot, or vampire, or wizard, or ghost, and many other characters instead of a cranky monster, as well as the fanciful features of the main head-body unit  104  of toy. The movable member  102 , once flipped over  102 B could also functions as wings, a turtle shell, hair, fish scales, dinosaur scales, shark fin, horses mane, lions mane, reptile skin, animal skin, reflective skin, glow-in-the-dark skin, heat-sensitive skin, a back pack, jet pack, simulated flames, scuba tanks, mobile phone case, wallet or other modes of play. This embodiment could also be made in flattened versions with little or no filling as well. The toys of the present embodiment may also be provided with other fanciful ornamentation, coloration, clothes or accessories which can be permanently affixed to the toy to enhance the entertainment value of the product for the user.