Patent Publication Number: US-2022233966-A1

Title: Huggable plush toy adapted to hold assistive technology

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 63/141,349, filed Jan. 25, 2021, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to assistive technology and, more particularly, to a huggable plush toy adapted to hold assistive technology. 
     Cellular phones and tablets are hard and have an awkward shape. Individuals cannot hug a friend or relative when talking to them on the phone. Individuals with certain disabilities (e.g., fine motor or gross motor) cannot hold a phone or tablet independently. 
     While some plush toys support a mobile device or tablet for visibility during conversations, the communication device is held by the appendages or with internal wire frames, preventing the user from hugging the phone or tablet to express emotion. Other plush toys may amplify or connect to systems on the communication device but do not enable the user to comfortably hold and hug the device and thereby the correspondent with which they are speaking. Other phone holders are small and protect the phone but are difficult for small children or individuals with disabilities to hold, making the device less accessible. A stand may hold the phone for viewing but is not embraceable and is not appealing to small children or other individuals. 
     As can be seen, there is a need for a huggable article that holds an electronic communications device. 
     The present invention provides a plush toy with a pocket on the front that holds and supports a phone or tablet enabling an individual to hug or embrace whomever they are speaking with or watching. Plush toys are more appealing than a stand and make the phone a larger target for a hug or other gesture an individual may wish to share, e.g., with a grandparent during a pandemic or during another time of social isolation, such as during a hospital stay. It is soft, cuddly, cute, and can be embraced or held comfortably. A larger size also helps individuals with limited motor skills hold devices more accessibly. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect of the present invention, a huggable communications device display is provided, comprising a plush toy with a transparent pocket attached thereto operative to contain a communications device, freeing a user&#39;s hands while the communications device is displaying an image and/or emitting sound, such that the image is viewable to the user and the sound is audible to the user. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description, and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a plush communications device holder according to an embodiment of the present invention, shown in use; 
         FIG. 2  is another perspective view thereof; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view thereof; 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional view thereof, taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 5  is another perspective view thereof, shown in use. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
     As used herein the term alternative augmentative communication device refers to a device that assists an individual with speech or language problems to communicate, which may range from pen and paper to a computerized speech generating device. 
     Broadly, one embodiment of the present invention is a plush toy with clear material pocket attached thereto, such as on the belly, operative to hold a communication device such as a phone, a tablet, an alternative augmentative communication (AAC) or assistive technology device, freeing both hands while the device is in use, and enabling the image to be viewable and the sound to be audible to the individual using the device. The inventive device is sometimes referred to herein as “Smart Buddy”. 
     In some embodiments, the device may have a weighted bottom, e.g., a bean bag bottom, enabling the stuffed toy to sit upright without additional support. 
     In some embodiments, the device may have storage for smartphone/tablet device accessories, such as an additional pocket or storage loop on the plush toy to hold a pen or stylus. 
     In some embodiments, the smart device pocket may be positioned at the plush toy&#39;s head or back. 
     In some embodiments, the transparent pocket may have a closure to secure the phone or tablet to the plush toy, such as a button, a snap, a hook and loop closure such as Velcro®, or a securing closure loop. 
     In some embodiments, the plush toy may have clothing and/or other accessories. 
     The inventive device may have the form of a plush animal toy or a plush humanoid doll, such as a boy, girl, or other type of character. The plush toy generally comprises soft stuffing material so the individual may embrace the toy with the phone in the pocket without harming the phone, e.g., enabling the individual to “hug” the individual speaking on the phone during a face-to-face screen interaction. 
     To use the huggable communication device holder, the individual may place the plush toy on a surface and insert the phone or smart device into the pocket with the screen facing the individual. The plush toy enables the individual to pick up the communication device and hug it comfortably. In some cases, a printed image such as a photograph may be inserted into the pocket. 
     The materials of manufacture are not particularly limited. The plush toy may be made with textile material having a soft nap and may be filled with a soft stuffing, such as cotton or polyester. 
     The device may be manufactured by sewing a plush toy with a weighted bottom and sewing a pocket of transparent material, such as plastic or a transparent textile, on the front of the toy to match the dimensions of a smart phone or tablet. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 5 , a plush toy  10  is provided with a clear cover  12  on an anterior surface, such as its belly. The clear cover  12  is effective to contain a tablet  20  or a phone  22 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the plush toy  10  has plush filling  16  and may have additional weight  14  provided by a weighted filling  18  to provide stabilization. 
     It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.