US20070111632A1

US20070111632A1 - Stuffed toy or other shaped member with an audio communication device disposed therein

Info

Publication number: US20070111632A1
Application number: US11/280,566
Authority: US
Inventors: Michael Clark
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-11-16
Filing date: 2005-11-16
Publication date: 2007-05-17

Abstract

A stuffed toy equipped with an at least one audio communication device. The toy has a body including a head having a face, a torso and a plurality of limbs. A device for activating a prerecorded message. Another mechanism mounted within the body for playing the prerecorded message and still another device mounted within the body for recording a user generated message including devices mounted in the body for activating and playing such user generated message. Finally, there is a power source electrically connected to provide electrical power to the device for activating the prerecorded message and to mechanism for activating the recording and playing the user generated message.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to stuffed toys or other stuffed shapes and, in particular, this invention relates to a stuffed toy or other stuffed shape with an audio communication device capable of playing at least one of a prerecorded message and a message recorded by the owner of the stuffed toy disposed therein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior to the conception and development of the present invention, various type of stuffed toys, such as animals, and other stuffed shapes have been known and sold commercially. Some of these stuffed animals have also been sold with prerecorded sounds. Nevertheless, none of these prior art type stuffed toys, or animals, capable of playing such prerecorded messages have been specifically designed for special preselected themes.
Additionally, to the best of applicants knowledge, these prior art type stuffed toys, or animals, have not been equipped to allow different personal messages to be recorded thereon, for example, by a parent to a child to remind them to do certain predetermined chores and/or just to tell them that the parent loves them.
Also, applicant is not aware of any predetermined stuffed shapes being available with any type of message playback capability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first embodiment, the present invention provides a preselected stuffed toy having an audio communication device disposed therein. Such preselected stuffed toy includes a body having a head portion including a face of a predetermined size, shape, and configuration, a torso portion of a predetermined size, shape, and configuration, and a plurality of limb members. The stuffed toy further includes a first means mounted within such body portion for activating a prerecorded message. Further, a second is means mounted within such body portion for playing the prerecorded message. There is, also, a third means mounted within such body portion for recording a user generated message. A fourth means is mounted within such body portion for activating such user generated message. The stuffed toy further has a fifth means mounted within such body portion for playing the user generated message. A sixth means is provided for supplying electrical power to such first means for activating such prerecorded message and to the second means for activating such recording device and such user generated message. The final essential element of the present invention is a seventh means for amplifying such prerecorded message and such user generated message when such first means and such second means are activated whereby such preselected stuffed toy will audibly transmit either the prerecorded or such user generated message.
According to a second embodiment of the present invention the preselected stuffed toy can be replaced by a preselected stuffed shape such as a heart.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide a preselected stuffed toy, or other stuffed object, which exhibits the capability to each of play a prerecorded message, record a personal message thereon and to play such recorded message at a later time.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a preselected stuffed toy, or other stuffed object, which is capable of playing recorded messages in which the messages can be directed to preselected themes.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a preselected stuffed toy, or other stuffed object, which is capable of playing recorded messages and wherein the recorded messages can be educational.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a preselected stuffed toy, or other stuffed object, which is capable of playing recorded messages and is relatively easy to use.
A further another object of the present invention is to provide a preselected stuffed toy, or other stuffed object, which is capable of playing recorded messages and is relatively inexpensive to produce.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a preselected stuffed toy, or other stuffed object, which is capable of playing recorded messages and wherein the volume of the messages being played can be controlled.
In addition to the various objects and advantages of the present invention that have been described with some degree of specificity above, it should be noted that various other objects and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent to those persons skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description of the instant invention, particularly, when such detailed description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing figures and with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a presently preferred embodiment of the electronic circuitry which enables both prerecorded messages to be played as well as recording personal messages thereon;
FIGS. 2 and 3 are illustrations of a presently preferred stuffed toy having such electronic circuitry disposed therein and showing locations of preselected logos disposed on predetermined spots of such stuffed toy;
FIG. 4 is an illustration of a presently preferred stuffed shape having such electronic circuitry disposed therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF A PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding to a more detailed description of the instant invention, it should be noted that identical components which have identical functions have been designated with identical reference numerals through the several views illustrated in the drawing Figures for the sake of clarity and understanding.
Now reference is made, more particularly, to FIGS. 1-4. Illustrated therein is a preselected stuffed toy, generally designated 10, equipped with an at least one audio communication system, generally designated 20, disposed therein. Such preselected stuffed toy includes a body portion having a head portion 12 having a face 14 of a predetermined size, shape, and configuration. The body portion further includes a torso portion 16 of a predetermined size, shape, and configuration and a plurality of limb members 18.
The audio system 20, according to the present invention, includes a first means 22 mounted within such head portion 12 or torso portion 16 of such body for activating a prerecorded message and a second means 24 is also mounted within such head portion 12 or torso portion 16 of such body for playing said prerecorded message.
In the presently preferred embodiment of the invention such first means 22 is selected from one of an on and off switch and a button. Such on and off switches and buttons are well known in the art and are therefore not described in any further detail here. It is most preferred to use an on and off switch in the instant invention.
Further, in the presently preferred embodiment of the invention the second means 24 will be an audio recorder having each of a predetermined size, shape, and design.
A third means 28 is likewise mounted within such head portion 12 or torso portion 16 of such body for recording a user generated message and a fourth means 28 is mounted within such head portion 12 or torso portion 16 of such body for activating the user generated message. There is a fifth means 32 mounted within such head portion 12 or torso portion 16 of such body for playing the user generated message.
A sixth means 34 electrically connected to provide electrical power to the first means 22 for activating such prerecorded message and to such second means 24 for activating such recording and playing the user generated message. It is presently preferred that such sixth means 34 electrically connected to provide electrical power to such 22 first means for activating the prerecorded message and to the second means 24 for activating such recording and playing such user generated message is at least one battery (not shown) and that such battery be the kind which can be recharged.
In the presently preferred embodiment of the invention the preselected stuffed toy will further include a seventh means 36 for amplifying such prerecorded message and such user generated message when such first means 22 and such second means 24 are activated, whereby such preselected stuffed toy 10 will audibly transmit at least one of the prerecorded and the user generated message.
Also, in the presently preferred embodiment of the invention the configuration of such face portion 14 and such torso portion 16 is an animal. Such animal is at least one of a breed of cat 38. In this invention it is preferred at the present time that such preselected stuffed breed of cat 38 will further include at least one logo 40 and preferable two such logos 40 reading Kissy Kat.
Preferably, one of such at least two logos 40 reading Kissy Kat will be disposed on a preselected rump area and a second one of the at least two logos will be disposed somewhere on a front portion of such preselected breed of cat 38.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, the user generated message will be directed to a child and such user generated message is selected from the group consisting of requesting a chore be done and an expression of endearment.
In another embodiment of the present invention, it is equally preferred to provide a preselected stuffed shape 42 equipped with an at least one audio communication device 20. Such preselected stuffed shape 42 will include a body member having a predetermined shape and a predetermined size.
Such body member is preferably at least one red heart although there may be a plurality of hearts connected together.
In this embodiment of the invention the user generated message is selected from one of endearment, birthday, anniversary, wedding, holiday, get well soon and sympathy messages.
In accordance with the patent statutes both a presently preferred and a number of alternative embodiments of the invention has been shown and described in detail above, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that various additional changes in the form and arrangement of parts may be made to suit other requirements without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A preselected stuffed toy equipped with an at least one audio communication device, said preselected stuffed toy comprising:

(a) a body including a head portion having a face of a predetermined size, shape, and configuration, a torso portion of a predetermined size, shape, and configuration, and a plurality of limb members;

(b) a first means mounted within said body for activating a prerecorded message;

c) a second means mounted within said body for playing said prerecorded message;

d) a third means mounted within said body for recording a user generated message;

e) a fourth means mounted within said body for activating said user generated message;

f) a fifth means mounted within said body for playing said user generated message; and

g) a sixth means electrically connected to provide electrical power to said first means for activating said prerecorded message and to said second means for activating said recording and playing said user generated message.

2. A preselected stuffed toy, according to claim 1, wherein said preselected stuffed toy further includes a seventh means for amplifying said prerecorded message and said user generated message when said first means and said second means are activated, whereby said preselected stuffed toy will audibly transmit at least one of said prerecorded and said user generated message.

3. A preselected stuffed toy, according to claim 1, wherein said configuration of said face portion and said torso portion is an animal.

4. A preselected stuffed toy, according to claim 3, wherein said animal is at least one of a breed of cat.

5. A preselected stuffed toy, according to claim 1, wherein said first means is at least one of an on and off switch and a button.

6. A preselected stuffed toy, according to claim 5, wherein said first means is an on and off switch.

7. A preselected stuffed toy, according to claim 1, wherein said second means is an audio recorder of a predetermined size, shape, and design.

8. A preselected stuffed toy, according to claim 1, wherein said user generated message is directed to a child and said user generated message is selected from requesting a chore be done and an expression of endearment.

9. A preselected stuffed toy, according to claim 4, wherein said preselected stuffed breed of cat will further include at least one logo reading Kissy Kat.

10. A preselected stuffed toy, according to claim 4, wherein said preselected stuffed breed of cat will further include at least two logos reading Kissy Kat.

11. A preselected stuffed toy, according to claim 4, wherein said one of said at least two logos reading Kissy Kat will be disposed on a preselected rump area and a second one of said at least two logos will be disposed somewhere on a front portion of said preselected breed of cat.

12. A preselected stuffed toy, according to claim 1, wherein said sixth means electrically connected to provide electrical power to said first means for activating said prerecorded message and to said second means for activating said recording and playing said user generated message is at least one battery.

13. A preselected stuffed toy, according to claim 12, wherein said battery is rechargeable.

14. A preselected stuffed shape equipped with an at least one audio communication device, said preselected stuffed shape comprising:

(a) a body member having a predetermined shape and a predetermined size;

(b) a first means mounted within said body member for activating a prerecorded message;

c) a second means mounted within said body member for playing said prerecorded message;

d) a third means mounted within said body member for recording a user generated message;

e) a fourth means mounted within said body member for activating said user generated message;

f) a fifth means mounted within said body member for playing said user generated message; and

15. A preselected stuffed shape, according to claim 14, wherein said predetermined stuffed shape further includes a seventh means for amplifying said prerecorded message and said user generated message when said first means and said second means are activated, whereby said preselected stuffed toy will audibly transmit at least one of said prerecorded and said user generated message.

16. A preselected stuffed shape, according to claim 15, wherein said preselected stuffed shape is at least one heart.

17. A preselected stuffed shape, according to claim 15, wherein said at least one heart is red.

18. A preselected stuffed shape, according to claim 17, wherein said preselected stuffed shape is a pair of hearts connected together.

19. A preselected stuffed shape, according to claim 14, wherein said user generated message is one of endearment, birthday, anniversary, wedding, holiday, get well soon and sympathy.

20. A preselected stuffed shape, according to claim 14, wherein said preselected stuffed shape further includes at least one logo disposed on an outer surface thereof.