PLUSH TOY WITH STRAP FOR SECURING TO ITEMS

Description

BACKGROUND

A plush toy is a toy made of soft fabric and is stuffed with material, such as cotton, polyester, or recycled polyester. The plush toy may be a toy animal. Alternatively, the plush toy may represent a human character. Alternatively, the plush toy may represent a cartoon character. The plush toy may be manufactured for all ages and/or genders.

SUMMARY

In some implementations, a plush toy includes a strap receiving portion provided on a surface of the plush toy; a strap integrated with the plush toy; and a fastener assembly having a first element provided on the strap receiving portion and a second element provided on the strap, wherein the strap is configured to be fastened across an item or through an opening of the item, and secured to the strap receiving portion, via the fastener assembly, such that the plush toy is secured to the item.

In some implementations, a plush toy includes a front surface; a rear surface opposite the front surface; a strap receiving portion provided on the rear surface; a strap integrated with the plush toy; a fastener assembly having a first element provided on the strap receiving portion and a second element provided on the strap, wherein the first element and the second element are configured to engage to secure the strap to the strap receiving portion, such that the plush toy is secured to an item, and wherein the first element and the second element are configured to disengage to unsecure the strap from the strap receiving portion, such that the plush toy is released from the item.

In some implementations, a method comprising: providing a plush toy comprising: a strap receiving portion, a strap integrated with the plush toy, and a fastener assembly having a first element provided on the strap receiving portion and a second element provided on the strap; and fastening the strap across an item or through an opening of the item; and engaging the first element and the second element to secure the strap to the strap receiving portion, such that the plush toy is secured to the item.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a front view of an example plush toy described herein.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a rear view of an example plush toy described herein.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a rear view of an example plush toy described herein.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of an example implementation described herein.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of an example implementation described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description of example implementations refers to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in different drawings may identify the same or similar elements.

A plush toy may be used for different purposes. In some situations, the plush toy may be used by a user for decorating a home or a residence. In some situations, the plush toy may be used by a user for entertainment purposes. For example, the user may play with the plush toy alone or with another user.

In some situations, the plush toy may be used as an accessory for the user. As an example, the user may secure the plush toy to personal bags, to backpacks, to cross body bags, and/or to articles of clothing. Additionally, or alternatively, the user may wear the plush toy as part of the articles of clothing. In some instances, the user may match the plush toy with the articles of clothing (e.g., match the plush toy with color schemes of the articles of clothing).

In some examples, the user may secure the plush toy to an item using an elastic band to enable the user to walk around a venue with the plush toy. A problem with the hair band is that the hair band may not properly secure the plush toy to the item. In this regard, the hair band may not prevent the plush toy from being accidentally removed from the possession of the user. For example, the plush toy may be accidentally released from the item and the user may not attempt to recover the plush toy in a timely manner, thereby resulting the plush toy being permanently unrecoverable. Additionally, or alternatively, the hair band may damage or deform the plush toy. Additionally, or alternatively the hair band may obstruct visibility of other users to the plush toy.

In some examples, the user may secure the plush toy using a hook and loop closure provided on the plush toy and on the item. For example, the plush toy may include a first portion of the hook and loop closure and the item may include a second portion of the hook and loop closure. A problem with the hook and loop closure is that the second portion of the hook and loop closure is provided at a specific location on the item. Accordingly, the hook and loop closure does not provide the user with flexibility with respect to a location on the item where the plush toy may be secured. In other words, the location of the second portion limits where the plush can be secured to the item. Additionally, or alternatively, providing the hook and loop closure on the plush toy and on the item in this manner does not prevent the plush toy from being accidentally removed from the possession of the user. For example, the plush toy may be

accidentally released from the user and the user may not attempt to recover the plush toy in a timely manner, thereby resulting the plush toy being permanently unrecoverable.

Implementations described herein are directed to a plush toy with an integrated, strap that includes a fastener assembly. As used herein, “integrated” may refer to the strap being attached. For example, the strap may be sewn or glued to the plush toy. In other words, the strap cannot be detached from the plush toy. The fastener assembly may be, for example, a hook and loop closure, a snap fastener, a magnetic fastener, buttons, etc. In some examples, the strap may be made of a nylex fabric, a soft span boa, or soft boa of different pile lengths. In some examples, the strap may be made of the same material as at least a portion of the plush toy. The strap may extend from a body of the plush toy and may be sewn to the body. In this regard, the strap may be integrated into the body of the plush toy. A first element of the fastener assembly may be provided on a surface of the body of the plush toy and a second element of the fastener assembly may be provided on the strap. In some examples, the first element of the fastener assembly is provided on a rear surface of the body of the plush toy, while in other examples, the first element of the fastener assembly is provided on a front surface, a top surface, or a bottom surface of the body of the plush toy. The second element of the fastener assembly is provided on a surface of the strap configured to face and/or contact the plush toy when the first element and the second element of the fastener assembly are engaged.

With respect to the fastener assembly, a first element of the fastener assembly may be sewn to a surface of the body of the plush toy, while a second element of the fastener assembly may be sewn to surface of the strap configured to face and/or contact the plush toy when the first element and the second element of the fastener assembly are engaged. Using the strap with the fastener assembly, the plush toy may be securely fastened to different items, such as attached securely to a strap of a cross body bag, to a strap of a backpack, to a handle of a purse, to a handle of a stroller, and/or other items. In some examples, the integrated strap may be simultaneously provided across components of a plurality of items to securely attach the plush toy to the plurality of items. In some examples, the strap may be simultaneously provided through openings of a plurality of items to securely attach the plush toy to the plurality of items.

An advantage of the plush toy with the integrated strap and fastener assembly described herein is that an element of a fastener assembly is not provided on the individual item(s) to which the plush toy will be secured. As previously mentioned, providing an element of a hook and loop closure on an item limits possible locations on the item where the plush toy may be securely fastened. Accordingly, the plush toy with the strap described herein enables the plush toy to be securely fastened to various locations on the item.

The strap may create a loop that may be opened when the first element and second element of the fastener assembly are disengaged. The strap may then be provided around or across a portion of the item or may slide through an opening of the item that the user would like the plush toy to be attached to. Subsequently, the strap may securely close around, across, or through the item when the first element and second element of the fastener assembly are engaged.

Accordingly, one advantage of the plush toy with the integrated strap and fastener assembly is to prevent the plush toy from accidentally being released from the item. For example, the first element and the second element are configured to engage to secure the strap to the strap receiving portion, such that the plush toy is secured to the item. Additionally, the first element and the second element are configured to disengage to unsecure the strap from the strap receiving portion, such that the plush toy is released from the item.

Additionally, or alternatively, another advantage of the plush toy with the integrated strap and fastener assembly is to prevent the plush toy from being deformed when the plush toy is securely attached to the item. Additionally, or alternatively, yet another advantage of the plush toy with the integrated strap and fastener assembly is to enable the plush toy to be securely fastened to the item while maintaining of visibility of the plush toy to other users. Additionally, or alternatively, yet another advantage of the plush toy with the integrated strap and fastener assembly is that the integrated strap is thematically consistent with the plush toy. As used herein, “thematically consistent” may refer to a same color, a same material, a same texture, among other examples. In this regard, the integrated strap camouflages or is designed such that when the integrated strap and the fastener assembly are not in use, the plush toy looks like a typical plush toy (e.g., without an integrated strap and a fastener assembly). Accordingly, the plush toy described herein may be used as a typical plush toy, such as for decorating a home or a residence, for entertainment purposes, among other examples.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example plush toy 100 described herein. As shown in FIG. 1, plush toy 100 may include a front surface 105 and a rear surface (not shown in FIG. 1). As shown in FIG. 1, plush toy 100 may further include an upper portion 110, a lower portion 115, and a mid portion 120 provided between upper portion 110 and lower portion 115. Upper portion 110 may include a head of plush toy 100. Lower portion 115 may include feet of plush toy 100. Mid portion 120 may include a torso and arms of plush toy 100. Any of the upper portion 110, the mid portion 120, or the lower portion 115 may include a strap and fastener assembly configured to secure plush toy 100 to various items. In some examples, a strap and fastener assembly may be provided in only one the upper portion 110, the mid portion 120, or the lower portion 115. In further examples, a single strap and fastener assembly may be provided or extend across at least two of the upper portion 110, the mid portion 120, or the lower portion 115. In other examples, a first strap and fastener assembly may be provided in one of the upper portion 110, the mid portion 120, or the lower portion 115, and a second strap and fastener assembly may be provided in another one of the upper portion 110, the mid portion 120, or the lower portion 115. In even further examples, a first strap and fastener assembly may be provided in the upper portion 110, a second strap and fastener assembly may be provided in mid portion 120, and a third strap and fastener assembly may be provided in the lower portion 115.

As shown in FIG. 1, plush toy 100 may have a height H. In some examples, the height H may be measured from a top surface of upper portion 110 to lower portion 115. In some examples, the height H may be measured from a top surface of upper portion 110 to a bottom surface of lower portion 115. In some examples, the height may be approximately 5.5 inches.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a rear view of an example plush toy 100 described herein. Elements of plush toy 100 have been described above in connection with FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, plush toy 100 may include a rear surface 205. Rear surface 205 may be opposite front surface 105 (not shown in FIG. 2). As shown in FIG. 2, a rear surface of mid portion 120 may include a strap receiving portion 210. In other examples, the strap receiving portion 210 may be included on a front surface, a top surface, or a bottom surface of the plush toy 100.

As shown in FIG. 2, a strap 215 may be coupled with strap receiving portion 210. In some examples, strap 215 may be sewn to strap receiving portion 210.

Strap 215 may extend from strap receiving portion 210. Strap 215 may be provided around or across all or a portion of an item or may be provided through an opening of the item. A portion of strap 215 may then engage with a portion of strap receiving portion 210, thereby securing plush toy 100 to the item.

As shown in FIG. 2, strap 215 may have a width W and a length L. In some examples, the width W may be approximately 1.5 inches. Additionally, or alternatively, the length L may be approximately 3 inches. In some implementations, the length L of strap 215 may be equal to a length of strap receiving portion 210. In other implementations, the length L of strap 215 may be different from (e.g., longer or shorter) than the length of strap receiving portion 210. Additionally, or alternatively, in some implementations, the width W of strap 215 may be equal to a width of strap receiving portion 210, while in other implementations, the width W of strap 215 may be different from (e.g., wider or narrower) than the width of strap receiving portion 210.

Plush toy 100 may include a fastener assembly (not shown in FIG. 2). The fastener assembly may be used to fasten strap 215 to strap receiving portion 210. In some implementations, the width W of strap 215 may exceed a width of the fastener assembly. In this regard, when fastening strap 215 to strap receiving portion 210, the width W may enable strap 215 to conceal the fastener assembly.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a rear view of an example plush toy 100 described herein. Elements of plush toy 100 have been described above in connection with FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 3, strap 215 is integrated with/connected to the plush 100 at connection portion 335. Strap 215 may include a distal end 305 distal with respect to the connection portion 335 and a proximal end 310 proximal with respect to the connection portion 335. Proximal end 310 may be opposite distal end 305. Strap receiving portion 210 may include a distal end 315 distal with respect to the connection portion 335 and a proximal end 320 proximal with respect to the connection portion 335. Proximal end 320 may be opposite distal end 315. As shown in FIG. 3, proximal end 310 of strap 215 may be coupled to proximal end 320 of strap receiving portion 210 at the connection portion 335. In some implementations, proximal end 310 of strap 215 may be sewn, glued, or otherwise connected to proximal end 320 to integrate strap 215 with plush toy 100.

As shown in FIG. 3, a first element 325 of a fastener assembly may be provided on distal end 315 of strap receiving portion 210. First element 325 may be sewn, glued, or otherwise connected to distal end 315. A second element 330 of the fastener assembly may be provided on distal end 305 of strap 215. In some examples, second element 330 may be sewn, glued, or otherwise connected to distal end 305 of strap 215. Second element 330 may engage first element 325 to enable strap 215 to be fastened to strap receiving portion 210. Second element 330 may engage first element 325 to secure strap 215 to strap receiving portion 210 when strap 215 is fastened across strap receiving portion 210.

In some implementations, the fastener assembly may include a hook and loop closure having a hook element and a loop element. In a first example, first element 325 may be the loop element of the hook and loop closure, and second element 330 may be the hook element of the hook and loop closure. In another example, first element 325 may be the hook element of the hook and loop closure and second element 330 may be the loop element of the hook and loop closure. In yet another example, first element 325 may be a stud element of a snap fastener and second element 330 may be a socket element of the snap fastener. In yet another example, first element 325 may be a socket element of a snap fastener and second element 330 may be a stud element of the snap fastener. In yet another example, first element 325 may be a fixed element of a magnetic fastener and second element 330 may be a moveable element of the magnetic fastener. The fixed element may comprise a magnetic plate and the moveable element may comprise a metal. In yet another example, first element 325 may be a moveable element of the magnetic fastener and second element 330 may be a fixed element of the magnetic fastener.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of an example implementation 400 described herein. Elements of plush toy 100 have been described above in connection with FIGS. 1-3. As shown in FIG. 4, a user may desire to secure plush toy 100 to an item 405. In some examples, item 405 may include a backpack. For example, item 405 may include a strap of the backpack. In this regard, the user may desire to secure plush toy 100 to the strap of the backpack.

As shown in FIG. 4, a surface of plush toy 100 (e.g., rear surface 205) may be placed against item 405. After placing the surface of plush toy 100 against item 405, strap 215 may be pulled around or across item 405 such that item 405 is located between strap 215 and strap receiving portion 210. In other implementations, strap 215 may be pulled through an opening in item 405. First element 325 and second element 330 may be engaged to enable strap 215 to be fastened to strap receiving portion 210 with item 405 therebetween. By fastening strap 215 (across, around, or through item 405) to strap receiving portion 210, plush toy 100 may be securely attached to item 405. Plush toy 100 may be detached from item 405 by disengaging first element 325 and second element 330, thereby unfastening strap 215 from strap receiving portion 210. The ability to disengage first element 325 and second element 330 and unfasten strap 215 from strap receiving portion 210 allows plush toy 100 to be detached from item 405. Plush toy 100 may optionally be securely attached to another item, in a manner similar to the manner described herein with respect to item 405.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of an example implementation 500 described herein. Elements of plush toy 100 have been described above in connection with FIGS. 1-4. As shown in FIG. 5, strap 215 has been pulled around/across item 405 to fasten strap 215 to strap receiving portion 210. First element 325 (not illustrated in FIG. 5) and second element 330 (not illustrated in FIG. 5) are engaged to enable strap 215 to be fastened to strap receiving portion 210.

The foregoing disclosure provides illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the implementations to the precise forms disclosed. Modifications and variations may be made in light of the above disclosure or may be acquired from practice of the implementations. Furthermore, any of the implementations described herein may be combined unless the foregoing disclosure expressly provides a reason that one or more implementations may not be combined.

Even though particular combinations of features are recited in the claims and/or disclosed in the specification, these combinations are not intended to limit the disclosure of various implementations. In fact, many of these features may be combined in ways not specifically recited in the claims and/or disclosed in the specification. Although each dependent claim listed below may directly depend on only one claim, the disclosure of various implementations includes each dependent claim in combination with every other claim in the claim set. As used herein, a phrase referring to “at least one of” a list of items refers to any combination of those items, including single members. As an example, “at least one of: a, b, or c” is intended to cover a, b, c, a-b, a-c, b-c, and a-b-c, as well as any combination with multiple of the same item.

No element, act, or instruction used herein should be construed as critical or essential unless explicitly described as such. Also, as used herein, the articles “a” and “an” are intended to include one or more items, and may be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Further, as used herein, the article “the” is intended to include one or more items referenced in connection with the article “the” and may be used interchangeably with “the one or more.” Furthermore, as used herein, the term “set” is intended to include one or more items (e.g., related items, unrelated items, or a combination of related and unrelated items), and may be used interchangeably with

“one or more.” Where only one item is intended, the phrase “only one” or similar language is used. Also, as used herein, the terms “has,” “have,” “having,” or the like are intended to be open-ended terms. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise. Also, as used herein, the term “or” is intended to be inclusive when used in a series and may be used interchangeably with “and/or,” unless explicitly stated otherwise (e.g., if used in combination with “either” or “only one of”). Further, spatially relative terms, such as “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. The spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the apparatus, device, and/or element in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. The apparatus may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein may likewise be interpreted accordingly.