Abstract:
The present invention is directed to an interactive toy generally including a body having a body section and a head section. Generally, the body resembles an animal, such as a horse, or popular fictional characters. The body section includes a preformed engagement surface that can be secured to a wearer. The body section further includes an arcuate lower surface whereby the interactive toy can be rocked forward and back when placed on a generally flat surface. The toy can also include an internal support structure helping to define the engagement surface as well as limiting movement of the head section. The interactive toy can also include an audio device for replaying recorded sounds such as animal sounds, voice recordings, nature sounds, and the like. Preferably, the sounds are manually initiated by a child by pulling, pushing, pressing, and the like, on a part or portion of the animal body.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     The present application is a Continuation-In-Part Application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/424,540, filed Apr. 28, 2003, entitled, “MOUNTABLE INTERACTIVE TOY ANIMAL” which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/375,696 filed Apr. 26, 2002, both of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention relates to toy animals. More particularly, the present invention relates to an interactive toy animal capable of safely receiving and holding a child.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Conventional toy stuffed animals have long been a source of entertainment for children of all ages. However, the interaction between a child and the toy animal is primarily solitary in nature. Adult interaction and participation with the child seldom takes place with the child during this time. Instead, adults, and parents in particular, are generally forced to resort to other toys and recreational activities in order to obtain a more involved quality interaction with the child.  
         [0004]     An example of one stuffed animal designed to promote such interaction is U.S. Pat. No. 5,000,712 to Curry, Sr., herein incorporated by reference in its entirety, disclosing a riding toy. While Curry, Sr. discloses a riding toy seeking to improve the interaction between an adult and a child, it lacks features that create a safe playing environment.  
         [0005]     As a result, there is a need for a toy animal that is aesthetically and functionally designed to appeal to, and entertain, a child while at the same time permitting safe and secure interpersonal interaction between the child and an adult.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The present invention solves many of the interaction deficiencies with conventional animal toys. The present invention provides a toy animal that is mountable on the upper leg or knee of an adult such that a child may sit or ride on the animal. The motion of the animal is substantially facilitated by the generally horizontal and vertical motion of the adult&#39;s leg.  
         [0007]     The present invention generally includes an animal body, a seating portion, and a plurality of securing straps. A myriad of animal bodies can be used, with one preferred embodiment being a small horse or pony. The animal body includes an internal support structure limiting movement of a head portion such that a child consistently has something to grasp or hold onto. In addition, the animal body has a preformed body portion designed to accommodate an adult&#39;s upper leg and/or knee. The preformed body portion includes a grasping surface to interface with the adult&#39;s knee and upper leg such that the body is positioned properly on the adult. The seating portion is designed to comfortably receive the child. The securing straps are of a length and functional design that enables a person to wrap a measurable portion of the strap around the upper leg and/or knee of the person to secure the animal. The level of securement is dependent upon the level of desired motion to be applied to the secured animal through motion of the person&#39;s leg. The interactive toy animal can also include various interactive sounds such as animal sounds, voice recordings, nature sounds, and the like. The sounds are generally activated by pulling, pushing, pressing, and the like, on a part or portion of the animal body. Additionally, various body parts of the animal can be configured to move based on a triggering event.  
         [0008]     In one aspect of the present invention, the mountable, interactive toy animal is adapted for secure attachment to the leg of an adult.  
         [0009]     In another aspect of the present invention, the mountable, interactive toy animal includes an animal body with an arcuate lower surface. The arcuate lower surface allows the toy animal to move in a forward and back, rocking manner when placed on a generally flat surface, such as on the ground or floor. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]      FIG. 1  is a side view of an embodiment of a stuffed animal of the present invention;  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a sectional, side view of a body of the present invention;  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is a perspective of an internal support structure of the present invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is an end view of the internal support structure of  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  is an end view of the body of the present invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the stuffed animal of the present invention strapped to an adult&#39;s leg;  
         [0016]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the stuffed animal of the present invention strapped to an adult&#39;s leg with a child seated on the stuffed animal;  
         [0017]      FIG. 8  is a side view of an embodiment of a stuffed animal of the present invention; and  
         [0018]      FIG. 9  is a side view of an embodiment of a stuffed animal of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0019]     As depicted in  FIG. 1 , an interactive toy animal  100  of the present invention generally includes a body  102 , a seating portion  104 , and at least one securing strap  106 . Preferably, seating portion  104  and the at least one securing strap  106  are stitched to body  102 , though other appropriate attachment devices and means could be used as well. The securing strap  106  can be of varying lengths and materials depending on the functional and aesthetic requirements of the manufacturer and/or user. Securing strap  106  can be configured as a single securing member sufficiently long enough to wrap from one side of body  102 , around a user&#39;s leg and to the other side of body  102 . Alternatively, securing strap  106  can comprise a pair of securing members, one on each side of body  102  designed to attach underneath a user&#39;s leg. In one embodiment, securing strap  106  is designed to substantially wrap around the upper leg and/or knee. The securing strap  106  is then secured to prevent undesirable movement of the toy animal  100 . The strap is preferably secured using a hook and loop fastener, though other fastener technologies such as hooks, buttons, snaps and other fastening technologies known to those skilled in the art could be utilized.  
         [0020]     Preferably, body  102  has an exterior likeness resembling an animal or character that is visually appealing to young children. A myriad of animals, characters and visual configurations are available for implementation with the present invention. In one embodiment, body  102  resembles a horse including a harness  108 , reins  110 , legs  112 , tail  114 , mane  116 , and facial features including eyes  118 , ears  120  and nose  122 . In such an embodiment, seating portion  104  takes the form of a saddle  124 . Generally, body  102  and seating portion  104  are made of a plush exterior fabric  126 . The appearance of fabric  126  can be altered from one embodiment to the next to provide visually appealing colors or to create differing horse breeds, for example, a palomino, a pinto or even a fictional character such as a unicorn. In addition to external features, body  102  can include a manual or automatic audio device  125  for providing realistic animal noises, such as galloping or neighing in the preferred embodiment, or other character, nature or recorded/recordable sounds. Audio device  125  can be selectively placed in or on the body  102 . Examples of suitable locations include in or on the ear, in or on the reigns, in or on the tail and in or on the seat. Typically, audio device  125  incorporates a manual switch arrangement to activate playback of a prerecorded audio track stored on a microchip. Audio device  125  may take the form of other alternative configurations, for example those shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,249,338; 5,679,049; 5,975,982 and 6,196,893, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Audio device  125  will typically include an external visual indicator directing where a child should push, press or pull to activate playback of the prerecorded audio track. In other embodiments, audio device  125  may be activated simply by sitting on or moving the toy animal  100 . In alternative embodiments, body  102  can include various pins, hinges, power-based driving mechanisms, and other known devices and techniques that facilitate movement of components such as legs  112 , tail  114 , mane  116 , and the various facial features.  
         [0021]     Depicted in  FIG. 2  is a sectional view of animal body  102 . In a basic form, animal body  102  comprises a body section  127  and a head section  128 . Body section  127  and head section  128  are generally formed by stitching fabric  126  into the desired shape and appearance. Body section  127  has a top portion  129 , a bottom portion  130 , a front end  131 , a rear end  132  and a pair of visually similar sides  133   a,    133   b,  as shown in  FIG. 5 . Within animal body  102  is an internal support structure  134 , more clearly depicted in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , generally comprising a body support member  136  and a neck support member  138 . Body support member  136  can comprise a length of relatively rigid material  140  formed to have a substantially half-circle cross-section  142 . The relatively rigid material  140  can be constructed of cardboard, plastic and other similar materials. Cross-section  142  is generally consistent from a rear end  144  to a front end  146  of rigid material  140 . Body support member  136  also includes a top surface  148  and a bottom surface  150 . Depending on its length, securing strap  106  may be fixedly attached to body support member  136 . Neck support member  138  can comprise a length of relatively rigid material  152  formed in a cylindrical or tubular orientation though other suitable shapes and designs are envisioned as well. In a preferred embodiment, body support member  136  and neck support member  138  are comprised of the same relatively rigid material. Generally, neck support member  138  is operably attached to the top surface  148  of body support member  136  proximate the front end  146 . Attachment of neck support member  138  to body support member  136  can be accomplished with suitable attachment means such as adhesive, pressure fitting, fastening devices and other know methods such that neck support member  138  projects into or proximate head section  128 . In constructing animal body  102 , a padding material  154  is generally stuffed into body section  127  and head section  128  to give toy animal  100  a soft, cushiony feel while at the same time providing a protective layer over body support member  136 . Bottom surface  150  can be covered by fabric  126  to make bottom portion  132 .  
         [0022]     As depicted in  FIG. 5 , the bottom portion  130  of animal body  102  defines a preformed engagement surface or portion  156  generally conforming to cross-section  142  of body support member  136 . The engagement surface  156  is depicted as having an open end proximate the rear end  144  of body support member  136  while fabric  126  defines a closure or abutment surface or portion  158  positioned generally perpendicular or extending downward from the engagement surface  156  near the front end  146  of body support member  136 .  
         [0023]     Generally, the interactive toy animal  100  of the present invention is used as depicted in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . Generally, a seated adult or larger child orients the interactive toy animal  100  such that head section  128  is facing away from the adult. The adult places the preformed engagement surface  156  over the top of his or her leg. The adult slides the toy animal  100  toward him or her such that the closure surface  158  comes into abuttable contact with the adult&#39;s knee. The perpendicular orientation of closure surface  158  to engagement surface  156  prevents toy animal  100  from sliding closer to the adult. Once the toy animal  100  is properly positioned, a pair of securing straps  106   a,    106   b  are securely wrapped around the leg and fastened. The combination of the preformed engagement surface  156 , closure surface  158  and securing straps  106   a,    106   b  ensure a tight, secure fit between the bottom portion  131  and the adults leg resulting in increased safety to small children seated on toy animal  100 . If securing straps  106   a,    106   b  have been attached to body support member  136 , securely wrapping the securing straps  106   a,    106   b  leads to a further constriction of preformed engagement surface  156  around the leg. The presence of closure surface  158  prevents toy animal  100  from being placed backwards on an adult&#39;s leg and increases the degree of shroudable securement of the engagement surface  156  around the leg. The shrouding effect of the shape and design of the engagement surface  156  stabilizes the toy animal  100  during lateral movements as well. The combination of engagement surface  156  and closure surface  158  eliminate the possibility that a child could tumble backwards from toy animal  100  as the adult&#39;s body is always located at the rear of toy animal  100 . It will be obvious to one skilled in the art that body  102  could also be constructed such that closure surface  158  is proximate rear end  144  allowing front end  146  to be open. Such an alternative design would permit the reversal of toy animal  100  on an adult&#39;s leg such that the head section  128  faces toward the adult. Regardless, the closure surface  158  is positioned accordingly to increase safety through improved security of the toy animal  100  to the adult&#39;s leg.  
         [0024]     Once a child is seated on seating portion  104 , the adult begins to move his or her leg in a preferably up and down direction to simulate the type of movement one might experience when riding a horse or similar animal. As this movement may be quick and sudden, it is necessary to provide the child with something they can grasp onto such that they can remain within the seating portion  104 . The internal support structure  134 , especially neck support member  138 , prevents the child from falling from the toy animal  100  by limiting movement of the head section  128 . Through the use of a relatively rigid material in the construction of the body support member  136  and the neck support member  138 , forward, backward and lateral movements of the head section  128  are limited such that the child can consistently grasp, hold or lean on the head section  128  without fear of falling forward or to the sides due to sudden movement of the head section  128 .  
         [0025]     An alternative embodiment of an interactive toy animal  200  is illustrated in  FIG. 8 . Interactive toy animal  200  includes the features and benefits previously described with respect to interactive toy animal  100  with the further inclusion of a rockable body section  202 . Rockable body section  202  is defined by a top portion  204 , a bottom portion  206 , a front end  208  and a rear end  210 . Similar to body section  127 , rockable body section  202  includes an engagement portion (not shown) similar to engagement surface  156  such that rockable body section  202  is capable of securement to an adult&#39;s leg as previously described. Bottom portion  206  is configured to have one or more generally convex arcuate surfaces  212  generally extending between the front end  208  and the rear end  210 . A front stop  214  such as legs  112 , and/or a rear stop  216  can be included or modified to limit the range of rocking travel associated with arcuate surface  212 . Arcuate surface  212  can further include transition areas wherein the degree of arcing is reduced or eliminated to further promote an effective rocking range. As shown in  FIG. 9 , interactive toy animal  200  can also include saddle  124  and at least one securing strap  106 .  
         [0026]     In use, interactive toy animal  200  can be placed on a generally flat surface such as the ground or a floor. A child can seat itself on the rockable body section  202  whereby the child can bias the interactive toy animal  200  in a forward and back rocking motion along arcuate surface  212 . If front stop  214  and/or rear stop  216  are employed along arcuate surface  212 , the available rocking range of the interactive toy animal  200  can be limited so as to prevent the child from rocking too far forward or backward and subsequently falling off of the interactive toy animal  200 . Again, legs  112 , rear stop  216 , variations in the shape of surface  212 , and similar techniques and structures can be employed to control and vary the rockable motion of toy animal  200 .  
         [0027]     The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit of the essential attributes thereof; therefore, the illustrated embodiments should be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.