Toy incorporating a resilient coil and a method of using same

Abstract

A toy and a method for washing a body of an individual are provided. The toy includes a resilient coil with one or more bodies attached to the coil. Preferably, one of the bodies is made from soap and may be used as a tub toy for, for example, a child. The bodies are preferably in the shape of an identifiable object or creature. The toy is constructed such that one or both of the bodies may be replaced, and the coil may be re-used with the new body or bodies.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A toy comprising: 
 a first body formed from a resilient coil having a first end and a second end; and    a second body formed from soap at one of the first end and the second end of the first body.    
     
     
         2 . The toy of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a first end plate at the first end or the first body; and  
 a second end plate at the second end of the first body.  
 
     
     
         3 . The toy of  claim 2  wherein the second body is secured to the first end plate.  
     
     
         4 . The toy of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a covering around the first body.  
 
     
     
         5 . The toy of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a sleeve around the resilient coil.  
 
     
     
         6 . The toy of  claim 1  wherein the resilient coil is formed of a helically-wound member and a covering that encircles and extends along the helically-wound member.  
     
     
         7 . The toy of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a third body at the other of the first end and the second end of the first body.  
 
     
     
         8 . The toy of  claim 7  wherein the second body forms a head of a known character and the third body forms a tail of the known character.  
     
     
         9 . The toy of  claim 7  wherein the third body is formed from soap.  
     
     
         10 . The toy of  claim 8  wherein the head and the tail of the character, in combination with the first body formed from the resilient coil, represent a sea creature.  
     
     
         11 . The toy of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a projection associated with the first end of the first body adapted to be secured to the second body.  
 
     
     
         12 . The toy of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a resilient limiting member extending along the first body.  
 
     
     
         13 . A tub toy comprising: 
 a central body formed from a resilient coil having a first end and a second end;    an end plate associated with at least one of the first ends and the second ends; and    a soap body secured to the at least one of end plates at the first end of the central body and at the second end of the central body.    
     
     
         14 . The tub toy of  claim 13  further comprising: 
 a second body secured to the other one of the first end or the second end.  
 
     
     
         15 . The tub toy of  claim 14  wherein the soap body is shaped to form a head and the second body is shaped to form a tail.  
     
     
         16 . The tub toy of  claim 15  wherein the head and the tail form a sea creature.  
     
     
         17 . The tub toy of  claim 13  further comprising: 
 a resilient limiting member extending along the resilient coil.  
 
     
     
         18 . The tub toy of  claim 13  further comprising: 
 a sleeve extending between the first end and the second end of the coil.  
 
     
     
         19 . The tub toy of  claim 13  further comprising: 
 a sleeve that covers and extends along a helically-wound member that forms the coil.  
 
     
     
         20 . The tub toy of  claim 13  further comprising: 
 a projection on the end plate.  
 
     
     
         21 . The tub toy of  claim 13  wherein the resilient coil has a length between one inch and twelve inches.  
     
     
         22 . A method for washing a body of an individual, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a first body formed from a resilient coil having a first end and a second end;    providing a second body formed from soap; and    attaching the second body to the first body.    
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22  further comprising the steps of: 
 providing a third body; and  
 attaching the third body to the first body.  
 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the second body forms at least a portion of an identifiable object.