Linkable plush toys

Abstract

A stuffed doll attachment and detachment system is disclosed, where doll parts are configured so that certain doll parts are complementary to each other and / or to other objects. In a preferred embodiment, the limbs or torso of a doll are modified to become complementary ball or socket elements. These ball and socket elements are implemented in soft, pliant material, and, when engaged, form reliable connections between dolls or between a doll and another object.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60 / 258,130 which was filed on Dec. 22, 2000 and is hereby incorporated in its entirety.[0002] 1. Field of the Invention[0003] The present invention relates generally to dolls, and, more particularly, to a system by which a doll has a ball or socket means integrated into its limbs or torso, by which the doll may attach and detach from another doll, as well as attach and detach from other objects.[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art[0005] Dolls that are capable of holding objects and other dolls are known. Some dolls use hands that are shaped to the object they are intended to hold. For instance, a G.I. Joe.TM. doll has hands constructed of solid plastic, where the hands have both the index finger and the thumb extended, allowing various implements, e.g. guns, tools, to be held in-between the two fingers. In some dolls, the holding pieces, e.g. the thumb and index finger, are constructed wi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a doll attachment / detachment system where the attachment / detachment means do not lessen in effectiveness through use and / or over time.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a doll attachment / detachment system where the attaching and detaching of objects may be performed by children, yet the attachment of objects can bear the stresses and strains of child's play without detaching.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a doll attachment / detachment system where the location of the attachment / detachment means on the doll is flexible, and open to many variations.

Problems solved by technology

These dolls are limited to attaching or detaching objects that are expressly made for that purpose, e.g., objects that either snap or can be held in-between the doll's thumb and index finger.

Furthermore, these dolls, or at least their holding pieces, are limited to a hard plastic construction.

Such constructions may not be good for younger children, whose dolls should be soft and pliable.

Further still, the holding pieces on these hard plastic dolls may lose their grasping abilities over time, because of extended use.

However, there are problems with this doll.

Furthermore, the attaching ability of Velcro.TM. lessens over time, as both the hook and loop patches become dirty.

However, there are problems with this doll as well.

Furthermore, although the object will remain attached during the stresses of child play, the object can not be detached by a child, and must be manipulated by an adult to implement attachment and detachment.

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