Bouncing toy with a plush cover

Abstract

Toys (100), with an internal spring ball structure (302) which has a highly elastic material that can rebound significantly from a hard surface, a plush fabric skin (304) configured to cover the inner spring ball structure (302) such that a plush fabric cover (110) does not significantly impair or dampen the ability of the inner spring ball structure (302) to rebound when it impacts a surface, Extremities (120) which have a soft and pliable fabric sewn onto the plush fabric cover (110) of the plush fabric skin (304), and facial features (130, 132, 134) which have a stiff fabric sewn over the plush fabric covering (110) of the plush fabric skin (304), where the diameter of the inner spring ball structure (302) allows the toy (100) to be grasped by a child.

Description

AREA

[0001] The present invention relates generally to plush toys. In particular, the present invention relates to a bouncing toy with a plush cover. BACKGROUND

[0002] Conventional bouncy balls typically have a smooth and hard exterior. For example, the "Super-Ball" disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,241,834 is an extremely elastic, rigid ball or sphere. The Super-Ball can bounce very high due to its highly compressed polybutadiene rubber. While these balls bounce well, the exterior of the Super-Ball is smooth and plain.

[0003] Traditional plush toys are also well-known. One example of a spherical plush toy is the Ty Beanie Ballz® line of plush toys, sometimes called Ty Puffies®. These plush balls have a soft, fluffy exterior and generally feature a fun character face. Beanie Ballz® are throwable and soft, but they don't bounce particularly well because they are filled with a stuffing material similar to that used in plush toys. Other plush toys exist, but none of these bounce sufficiently to provide the fun and entertainment of traditional bouncy balls. US 6,126,510 A discloses a bouncy toy with an elastic outer core surrounded by an outer layer of varying thickness, chosen to produce an irregular and unpredictable bounce response. CN 211,097,505 U discloses a plush toy that features a pressure ball.KR 101 976 654 B1 reveals an inflatable beach ball with a fluffy outer skin.

[0004] In light of the above, there is a constant and ongoing need for improved plush toys. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 represents a jumping plush toy according to one embodiment; Fig. 2 represents various figure or animal designs that can be provided in a jumping plush toy according to one embodiment; Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B presents a method for forming the jumping plush toy according to an exemplary embodiment; Fig. Figure 4 represents a cutting pattern for forming a jumping plush toy according to one embodiment; Fig. Section 5 describes a manufacturing process for the bouncing ball toy according to an exemplary embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0005] Although this invention can be implemented in many different forms, specific embodiments are shown in the drawings and described in detail herein, it being noted that the present disclosure is to be regarded as an example of the principles of the invention. It is not intended to limit the invention to the specifically illustrated embodiments.

[0006] The embodiments disclosed herein may include a bouncing ball toy with a plush fabric cover. The plush fabric cover may be designed with an inner bouncing ball structure such that the plush fabric cover does not significantly impair or dampen the ability of the inner bouncing ball structure to bounce upon impact with a hard object. The inner ball structure may be made of highly elastic materials and provide significant bounce and responsiveness after impact with a hard object. In fact, the inner ball structure may still provide sufficient bounce and responsiveness even when surrounded by the plush fabric cover, so that the bouncing ball toy with the plush fabric cover continues to provide fun and enjoyment as the ball bounces.

[0007] In some embodiments, the plush fabric cover may have a fabric or other fibers that give the bouncy ball toy a fur-like texture. The plush fabric may have a pile to give it a raised or fluffy surface. The pile can give the plush fabric its fur-like texture. In some embodiments, the pile length may be 3 to 50 mm, but the pile length can be arbitrary. In one embodiment, the pile length may be 5 mm, as longer pile lengths can impair the bouncing power. In some embodiments, the pile length of the plush fabric cover may depend on the figure or animal represented by the bouncy ball toy. According to another embodiment, the plush fabric cover may have sewn-on facial features, such as eyes, snouts, and mouths, as well as sewn-on extremities, such as ears, whiskers, legs, or arms.In an embodiment that includes facial features and limbs, the facial features can be formed using stiff fabrics, such as cotton, polyester, or nylon threads, to create a hard surface after weaving, so that the facial features do not significantly impede the bouncing. In an embodiment that includes limbs, the limbs can be made of a soft and pliable fabric that does not impede the bouncing of the bouncy ball toy.

[0008] Embodiments of the bouncing ball toy disclosed herein can provide a multifunctional experience for a child or other user. The bouncing ball toy may have a soft, plush feel on its surface, while bouncing like a real ball during play, adding extra fun and excitement for the user. In some embodiments, the bouncing ball toy may feature animal, cartoon, or other faces on the balls to make the toy visually appealing and attract children. Furthermore, the plush fabric may have the pile described above to create a three-dimensional fiber that resembles fur, making the toy cuddly and comfortable to hold without bouncing.

[0009] The embodiments of the bouncing ball toy with the plush fabric covering disclosed herein can have a spherical shape of any diameter, but in a preferred embodiment the bouncing ball toy can be small enough to be grasped by a child (e.g., 5 to 10 cm in diameter). However, other diameter sizes can be provided (e.g., 10 inches in diameter, about the size of a soccer ball).

[0010] The plush fabric cover is attached to the inner ball structure in such a way that it does not significantly impair the bounce or responsiveness. Even when covered with the plush fabric, the bouncing ball toy can rebound 55 to 70% of its fall height on a hard surface (for example, if the ball is dropped from a height of 3 feet, it can rebound two feet). The impressive bounce of the bouncing ball toy is achieved by combining an inner ball structure made of a highly elastic material, such as polyurethane, with a careful attachment of the plush fabric cover to the inner ball structure, ensuring a snug fit without wrinkles or air bubbles between the outer surface of the inner ball structure and the plush fabric cover.

[0011] Fig.Figure 1 represents a bouncing plush toy (bouncing ball toy) 100 with a plush fabric cover 110 according to one embodiment. As shown, the bouncing plush toy 100 can have the plush fabric cover 110, extremities 120, and facial features 130 to 134 formed on the plush fabric cover. According to an exemplary embodiment, the bouncing ball toy 100 can resemble an animal or other cartoon character. The embodiment shown in Figure 1 Fig. Figure 1 depicts a bouncing ball toy 100, which has a husky dog ​​figure with ear limbs 120 and facial features 130 to 134, including eyes 130, a snout 132, and a mouth 134. Other figures or animals can be depicted using different plush fabric colors, different limbs, and different facial features, as shown in Fig.2 shown. In addition, the various figures and animals may have plush fabric covers with different pile lengths.

[0012] Referring again to Fig. 1. The bouncing ball toy 100 can be spherical. The plush fabric cover 110 can have a pile (e.g. 5 to 40 mm) that gives the plush fabric a three-dimensional feel, imitating the fur of the animal figure represented by the limbs 120 and the facial features 130 to 134.

[0013] The limbs 120 can be sewn to the plush fabric cover 110 at the base of the plush fabric cover 110 or beneath the pile of the plush fabric cover 110. In other words, the limbs must not be attached to the fibers that form the pile of the plush fabric cover 110. The limbs 120 can be made of a soft and pliable fabric so that they do not impair the bouncing of the bouncy ball toy 100, for example, by causing the bouncy ball to bounce unexpectedly or rebound off the limbs 120. The limbs 120 can be cut separately using a template or other guide and sewn with thin but stiff thread. Again, the thread is chosen so that it does not dampen or impair the bouncing of the bouncy ball toy 100.In some embodiments, the extremities 120 may have a plush fabric with a shorter pile length than the plush fabric cover 110. In most embodiments, the extremities must not be attached to the plush fabric cover with adhesive or any other bonding agent, as these materials may impair the uniform bouncing of the bouncing ball toy.

[0014] The bouncy ball toy 100 has an internal ball structure that is not in Fig. 1 is visible because the plush fabric cover 110 completely covers the inner ball structure. Referring to Fig. 3A can cover the inner ball structure 302 with a plush fabric skin 304 (formed by a stitching profile, which will be described later with reference to Fig. 4 is described) can be seen. The plush fabric skin 304 can be seen as the plush fabric covering 110, the extremities 120 and the facial features 130 to 134, which are described with reference to Fig.as described in Figure 1. That is, the plush fabric skin 304 can be fully formed before the inner ball structure 302 is stuffed into the plush fabric skin 304. The plush fabric skin 304 can be spherical and can have a pocket to receive the inner ball structure 302. The closure seam, when open, can provide an opening in the pocket before the closure seam is closed to cover the inner ball structure, and the closure seam can be substantially the same length as the diameter of the inner ball structure. As described in Figure 1. Fig.As shown in Figure 3B, the inner ball structure 302 is inserted or stuffed into the plush fabric skin 304 through an unstitched seam 306 in the plush fabric skin 304. The plush fabric skin 304 has a size and shape that corresponds to the diameter of the inner ball structure 302, and the plush fabric skin 304 can fit snugly over the inner ball structure. Furthermore, the seam 306 in the plush fabric skin 304 can have substantially the same length as the diameter of the inner ball structure 302.

[0015] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 3C, seam 306 is closed tightly over the inner ball structure, and, as shown in Fig.In 3D, the seam can be tightly sewn closed using a stiff thread, and by stretching the plush fabric skin 304 over the inner ball structure 302, wrinkles in the plush fabric skin 304 can be minimized. These wrinkles could dampen or significantly impair the ability of the inner ball structure 302 to provide bounce. To prevent wrinkles, air bubbles, or other obstacles to the close-fitting envelopment of the plush fabric skin 304 over the inner ball structure 302, the plush fabric skin 304 can have relatively few patterns and a relatively long seam. In one embodiment, the seam 306 can have the same or substantially the same length as the diameter of the inner ball structure 302. Furthermore, a cutting pattern (in Fig. 4 shown) be very accurate and symmetrical with respect to an arc length.

[0016] In some embodiments, the plush fabric skin 304 can be attached to the inner ball structure 302 without adhesive or other bonding agents, since adhesives can dampen the bouncing. Furthermore, to ensure proper bouncing, the seam allowance must be uniform when sewing the seam. In addition, the seam 306 must be sewn very tightly, with stiff thread, and with sufficient force throughout each stitch to ensure that the plush fabric skin 304 fits snugly over the inner ball structure 302.

[0017] In some embodiments, the inner ball structure 302 may comprise polyurethane to provide a highly elastic structure that rebounds from hard objects. In a preferred embodiment, the polyurethane material of the inner ball structure 302 may have a chemical composition according to Table 1. Table 1 Chemical name CAS Number percentage Toluene diisocyanate (TDI) 26471-62-5 74% Polyether polyol (PPG) 90031 1-6 23% Tin octoate(tin(II)-2-ethylhexanoate) 30110-0 1% silicone oil Zero 1% Color cream (PM-433) Zero 1%

[0018] However, all highly elastic materials are conceivable for the inner ball structure 302, including rigid rubbers or other highly elastic polymers. In some embodiments, the inner ball structure 302 may comprise a foam, but the foam inner ball structure 302 may not provide sufficient bounce for some applications.

[0019] In some embodiments, the plush fabric cover 110 may contain an XTM fabric. The XTM fabric may have fibers with a pile length of 5 mm and a weight of 450 grams per yard. However, any plush fabric is suitable for the plush fabric cover 100.

[0020] The plush fabric skin 304 can be replaced by a Fig.Pattern 400, as shown in Figure 4, is formed. Pattern 400 can have several pattern sections that result in a spherical skin. Pattern 400 can have plush fabric cover sections, including a back section 402, a face section 404, a back of the head section 406, and a belly section 408. The plush fabric cover sections 402 to 408 are sewn together to form the plush fabric cover 110. Note that the back section 402 has the closure seam 306 described above along one side of the back section. The in Fig. The pattern shown (400) is exemplary, and other patterns are conceivable based on the figure or animal represented by the bouncing ball toy (100).

[0021] In addition to the plush fabric cover sections 402 to 408, the pattern may include 400 limb sections, comprising a tail section 410, a mane section 412, an ear section 414, and a horn section 416. The number and types of limb sections 410 to 416 may depend on the figure or animal represented by the bouncing ball toy 100.

[0022] Furthermore, the pattern can include facial features such as the inner snout section 402 and the snout section 422. The snout section 422 can cover and overlap the inner snout section 402, so that the snout or nose protrudes slightly above the plush fabric cover 110, thus providing the look and feel of a small nose or snout. The combination of the inner snout section 402 and the snout section 422 can be firm enough not to excessively dampen the bounce of the bouncing ball toy.

[0023] Fig. 5 describes a manufacturing process 500 of the bouncing ball toy of the embodiments exemplified herein. As in Fig.As shown in Figure 5, the manufacturing process 500 can include forming the inner ball structure 302 in step 502. In some embodiments, the inner ball structure is pre-formed and purchased or formed using known methods. Additionally, the process 500 can include cutting a plush fabric according to a cutting pattern, such as the cutting pattern shown in Figure 5. Fig.As shown in Figure 4, in step 504, the plush fabric cover sections can be sewn together to form the plush fabric cover 110. A stapling device or machine can leave the closure seam 306 open as part of sewing step 506. The method can further include sewing extremities or facial features to the plush fabric cover 110 or to unstitched areas of the plush fabric cover 110 to form the plush fabric skin 304 in step 508. Subsequently, the inner ball structure 302 is inserted into the plush fabric skin 304 through the closure seam 306 in step 510, and subsequently, the closure seam is sewn tightly closed in step 512. The plush fabric skin 304 can be stretched over the inner ball structure while the closure seam is sewn to ensure that no wrinkles form when the plush fabric skin 304 covers the inner ball structure 302.

[0024] The bouncing ball toy with the plush fabric cover solves the problems of the state of the art, as the bouncing ball toy with the plush fabric cover provides both fun and an appealing bouncing ball that has an interesting, soft and cuddly cover, thus providing a multifunctional toy experience.

[0025] Although several embodiments have been described in detail above, other modifications are also possible. For example, the steps described above do not necessarily require the specific order or sequential sequence described to achieve the desired results. Other steps may be provided, steps may be omitted from the described processes, and other components may be added to or removed from the described systems. Other embodiments may also fall within the scope of the invention.

[0026] It is evident from the foregoing that numerous variations and modifications can be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of protection of the invention. It is understood that no limitation is intended or should be inferred with respect to the specific system or method described herein. It is, of course, intended to cover all modifications that fall within the spirit and scope of protection. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] US 3,241,834

[0002] US 6 126 510 A

[0003] CN 211 097 505 U

[0003] KR 101 976 654 B1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Toys (100), with an internal spring ball structure (302) which has a highly elastic material that can rebound significantly from a hard surface, a plush fabric skin (304) configured to cover the inner spring ball structure (302) such that a plush fabric cover (110) does not significantly impair or dampen the ability of the inner spring ball structure (302) to rebound when it impacts a surface, Extremities (120) which have a soft and pliable fabric sewn onto the plush fabric cover (110) of the plush fabric skin (304), and facial features (130, 132, 134) which have a stiff fabric sewn over the plush fabric covering (110) of the plush fabric skin (304), where the diameter of the inner spring ball structure (302) allows the toy (100) to be grasped by a child. [2] Toys (100), with an internal spring ball structure (302) which has a highly elastic material that can rebound significantly from a hard surface, a plush fabric skin (304) configured to cover the inner spring ball structure (302) such that a plush fabric cover (110) does not significantly impair or dampen the ability of the inner spring ball structure (302) to rebound when it impacts a surface, in which the plush fabric skin (304) further Extremities (120) sewn onto the plush fabric cover (110) of the plush fabric skin (304), wherein the extremities (120) have a soft and pliable fabric that does not impair the rebound of the bouncing ball toy (100), since the extremities (120) do not cause the bouncing ball to rebound unexpectedly or rebound back through the extremities (120), and facial features (130, 132, 134) which have a stiff fabric sewn over the plush fabric cover (110) of the plush fabric skin (304). [3] Toy (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the stiff fabric is selected from cotton, polyester or nylon threads. [4] Toy (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the highly elastic material comprises polyurethane. [5] Toys (100), with an internal spring ball structure (302) which has a highly elastic material that can rebound significantly from a hard surface, and a plush fabric skin (304) configured to cover the inner spring ball structure (302) such that a plush fabric cover (110) does not significantly impair or dampen the ability of the inner spring ball structure (302) to rebound when it impacts a surface, wherein the plush fabric skin (304) is attached to the inner spring ball structure (302) in a manner that does not significantly impair the bounce or liveliness, by stretching the plush fabric skin (304) over the inner spring ball structure (302) and sewing a closure seam (306) firmly, and in which the highly elastic material polyurethane is present. [6] Toy (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the plush fabric cover (110) is attached to the inner bouncy ball structure (302) in such a way that a snug fit without wrinkles or air bubbles is ensured between an outer surface of the inner bouncy ball structure (302) and the plush fabric cover (110). [7] Toy (100) according to one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the polyurethane comprises toluene diisocyanate, polyether polyol, tin octoate, silicone oil and color cream. [8] Toy (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the plush fabric skin (304) has a pile to give the plush fabric a fur-like structure. [9] Toy (100) according to claim 8, wherein the pile length is 3 to 5 mm. [10] Toy (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the toy (100) has a diameter of 5 to 10 cm. [11] Toy (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the plush fabric skin (304) is designed to be spherical and has a pocket for receiving the inner bouncy ball structure (302), wherein an open closure seam (306) provides an opening in the pocket prior to closing the closure seam (306) for covering the inner bouncy ball structure (302), and wherein the closure seam (306) has substantially the same length as the diameter of the inner bouncy ball structure (302).

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