Abstract:
A posable figure (10) including a stuffing (14) that forms the figure&#39;s head (16), torso (18) and limbs (20, 22), covered by a fabric (12). Magnets (24) mounted under the fabric within the figure&#39;s limbs are joinable with opposing magnets (28) mounted under the fabric within the figure&#39;s head to pose the figure.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to figures resembling human and animal forms, and particularly to toy figures with posable limbs. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Figures resembling humans and animals, such as dolls, bears, and other figures, have long been popular toys for the entertainment of children. Children enjoy posing these figures in configurations mimicking the child&#39;s activities, such as playing &#34;peek-a-boo&#34; games and praying. Accordingly, it is desirable for a child&#39;s entertainment and education to have a toy figure with posable limbs that may be positioned with respect to the figure&#39;s torso and head, and retained in that position. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a fabric-covered figure having limbs and a head attached to a torso, and further including an attractive device disposed underneath the fabric covering of at least one limb that is joinable with an opposing attractive device disposed underneath the fabric at another point in the figure. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first attractive device comprises a magnet disposed beneath the fabric covering of at least one limb, and the opposing attractive device comprises an opposing magnet disposed beneath the fabric within the figure&#39;s torso or head. 
     A figure constructed in accordance with the present invention may thus be posed by moving the figure&#39;s limb to join the attractive device in the limb with the opposing attractive device in the torso or head. The joined opposing magnets retain the figure in this position. By virtue of the disposition of the magnets underneath the fabric covering the figure, the magnets may not be removed from the figure by a child and thus do not present a safety hazard to the child. Further, the provision of opposing magnets underneath the fabric provides the figure with a smooth, uniform external surface that is more appealing to the child. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention will be readily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following specification in conjunction with the appended drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 shows a front elevation view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention in the form of a posable bear having its forward paws positioned to cover its eyes; 
     FIG. 2 shows a front elevation view of the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1, with the magnets in the forward paws positioned away from the magnets located in proximity to the eyes; and 
     FIG. 3 shows a front elevation view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention including magnets underneath the fur of the bear&#39;s forward paws and opposing magnets underneath the fur in proximity to the bear&#39;s eyes and within the bears&#39;s torso. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     A preferred embodiment of a posable FIG. 10 constructed in accordance with the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the posable FIG. 10 is configured as a bear. However, it should be apparent that posable figures constructed in accordance with the present invention may take various other forms, such as other animal figures, or dolls resembling humans. The FIG. 10 includes a fabric 12 that covers an inner stuffing 14. In the preferred embodiment, the fabric 12 is a plush fur fabric that extends to cover the figure&#39;s head 16, torso 18 and limbs, including two arms 20 and legs 22. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the FIG. 10 may include contrasting patches of non-plush material at points such as the figure&#39;s snout and paws. The FIG. 10 may also include a lining (not shown) between the fabric 12 and the stuffing 14. 
     The FIG. 10 includes at least a first attractive device and an opposing attractive device disposed underneath the figure&#39;s fabric 12 to enable posing of the figure. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first attractive device and opposing attractive device comprise magnets. A first magnet 24 is inserted underneath the fabric 12 covering each forward paw 26 of the figure&#39;s arms 20. Opposing magnets 28 are inserted underneath the fabric 12 within the nose and eye area of the figure&#39;s head 16, in proximity to each of the figure&#39;s eyes. The magnets 24 and 28 are disposed between the fabric 12 and the underlying stuffing 14. 
     Referring to FIG. 1, the figure&#39;s arms 20 may be posed by joining each first magnet 24 with an opposing magnet 28 in the figure&#39;s head. In this position, the figure appears to be covering its eyes to enable a child to play a &#34;peek-a-boo&#34; game. The arms 20 remain in this position until the child removes the arms by pulling the paws 26 to break the attraction between the first magnets 24 and the opposing magnets 28. The arms then return to their relaxed position, as shown in FIG. 2. 
     While the preferred embodiment of a FIG. 10 has been illustrated as including first magnets disposed within the figure&#39;s arms and opposing magnets disposed within the figure&#39;s head, it should be apparent that other configurations of first magnets and opposing magnets may be utilized in accordance with the present invention. For example, FIG. 3 provides an alternate embodiment of a posable FIG. 30 having first magnets 32 disposed underneath an exterior fabric 34, between the fabric 34 and a stuffing 36, within the figure&#39;s forward paws. The FIG. 30 further includes a pair of first opposing magnets 32 and a pair of second opposing magnets 38 disposed underneath the fabric covering the chest area of the figure&#39;s torso. A second pair of opposing magnets 40 is disposed underneath the fabric covering the figure&#39;s nose and eye area. This configuration of a posable FIG. 30 allows the figure&#39;s arms to be positioned to cover the figure&#39;s chest by joining the first magnets 32 and the first opposing magnets 38, to mimic a &#34;praying&#34; posture. Alternatively, the first magnets 32 can be mated with the second opposing magnets 40 in the figure&#39; s head to play a &#34;peek-a-boo&#34; game. 
     One of ordinary skill, after reading the foregoing specification, will be able to effect various other changes, alterations, and substitutions of equivalents without departing from the broad concepts disclosed. For example, combinations of first magnets and opposing magnets other than those described above can be incorporated into a posable figure constructed in accordance with the present invention. It is therefore intended that the scope of Letters Patent granted hereon be limited only by the definition contained in the appended claims and the equivalents thereof.