Patent Publication Number: US-4842565-A

Title: Reversible, stuffed doll

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to stuffed dolls, and more particularly to reversible, stuffed dolls which present a first appearance on one surface of the stuffed portion, and a second appearance on the other surface of the stuffed portion when the doll is reversed. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Stuffed dolls, particularly those having plush or simulated fur coverings, satisfy a desire in children and others for a soft and cuddly object to hold and caress. Often, such stuffed dolls are placed on the bed during the day, and join the owner in bed at night. 
     The present invention relates to a stuffed doll which is reversible so that it has a first appearance on one surface of the stuffed portion (which may, for example, represent a daytime appearance), and a second appearance on the opposite surface of the stuffed portion (which may represent a nighttime appearance). In either case, one appearance is concealed when the other is revealed. The change from one appearance to the other is performed much as a sock is turned inside out. 
     Reversible dolls have previously been disclosed, U.S. Pat. No. 4,336,665 discloses a toy having two head portions joined at the neck, and a shell fabric which can be moved to cover one head or the other. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,413,422 discloses a toy which can be converted from a pillow configuration to that of a simulated animal. 
     No previous stuffed toy is known which is turned inside out to change from one appearance to another. 
     It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a reversible, stuffed doll which can be changed from one appearance to another. 
     It is also an object of this invention to provide a reversible, stuffed doll which is changed in appearance by turning it inside out. 
    
    
     In accordance with these and other objects, which will become apparent hereafter, the instant invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a reversible, stuffed doll in accordance with the invention showing a first appearance; 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the doll of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the doll of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-section taken on the line 4--4 of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 represents the doll of FIG. 1 as it is being reversed; 
     FIG. 6 is a front elevation of the doll of FIG. 1 in its reversed appearance; 
     FIG. 7 is a side elevation, partially in cross-section, of an alternate embodiment of a reversible, stuffed doll; and 
     FIG. 8 is a front elevation of another version of a reversible, stuffed doll with its reversed appearance shown in phantom view. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to FIGS. 1-4, doll 10 has a first fabric section having an outer surface 12 and an inner surface 14 (FIG. 4). Doll 10 also has a second fabric section having an outer surface 16 and an inner surface 18. As shown in FIG. 4, the first and second fabric sections are joined along their edge portions to form an internal cavity 20. The edge portions may be joined by a seam such as bottom seam 22 and top seam 24; however, it is also contemplated that one or more of the joined edge portions may merely be folds of a continuous fabric section. Cavity 20 contains a sufficient quantity of filler material 26 to cause outer surfaces 12 and 16 of the first and second fabric sections to present a pronounced convex appearance. Filler material 26 may be any soft, somewhat resilient substance such as cotton batting. 
     Doll 10 also has a third fabric section 28 which is joined along its edge portions (except its bottom edge portion 30) to the first and second fabric sections. Seam 24 is one such joined edge portion. Seams 32 and 34 join the side edge portions of the first, second and third fabric sections. Since both surfaces of third fabric section 28 will be exposed, this fabric section should preferably be formed of a fabric having both surfaces of suitable appearance, such as terry cloth. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4, a fourth fabric section 36 may be used as the exposed surface. Fourth fabric section 36 may also merely be a continuation of third fabric section 28 having a fold at the bottom edge portion 30. 
     In accordance with the invention, stuffed doll 10 is reversible. As depicted in FIG. 5, doll 10 is reversed by placing one hand in the pocket 38 formed between second fabric section 16 and third fabric section 28 (or fourth fabric section 36 if one is used). The hand in pocket 38 grasps the second fabric section and the filling material 26 behind this fabric section, while the other hand moves third fabric section 28 to expose surface 16 of the second fabric section. 
     FIG. 6 shows surface 16 as it is then revealed. 
     The basic structure of stuffed doll 10 is as described above; however, the doll derives its appeal (in addition to being stuffed) by the addition of accent devices. In FIG. 1, night cap 40 is positioned on the head of doll 10. As shown in FIG. 4, night cap 40 is sewn to the first fabric section and the third fabric section. Also shown in FIG. 4, is hat 42 which is folded in pocket 38 and secured to the second and third fabric sections. Hat 42 appears in FIG. 6 on the reversed doll. Other accent devices such as simulated arms 44 are secured to the doll by sewing or in other well known techniques. 
     FIG. 7 depicts an alternate embodiment of a stuffed doll wherein the accent devices are secured to third and fourth fabric sections 46 and 48, instead of the fabric sections forming the internal cavity containing the filling material. 
     FIG. 8 illustrates that the two appearances of the doll may represent different animals rather than different appearances of the same doll person. It should be noted that bulky accent devices such as the ear 50 or the hats in the other embodiment, are readily accommodated within the pocket. 
     It should be noted that the third fabric section which forms one side of the pocket of the doll will also appear convex, and allowance in fabrication must be made for the additional fabric for this reason. Also, fabric allowance for the third fabric section is needed to permit the reversing of the doll without causing the seams to break. 
     In general, the reversible, stuffed doll of this invention has a filler material container formed by fabric having opposed sides joined at a common margin. The doll also has a pocket formed by additional material which is secured along a portion of the common margin. This additional material may be moved from a position adjacent to, and concealing one of the opposed sides, to a position adjacent to, and concealing the other of the opposed sides. Accent devices such as eyes, ears, etc. are secured to each of the opposed sides to give a different appearance to the opposed sides--only one of which is exposed at a time. Other accent devices, such as hats, may be secured to extend across the common margin. 
     While the instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is therefore not to be limited to the details disclosed herein, but is to be afforded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent apparatus and articles.