Animated toy simulating real or fanciful creature

Abstract

The toy has a head and an elongated body. The lower wall of the toy is composed of suede and frictionally resists movement thereof across a surface on which the toy is positioned. The upper wall is composed of material such as natural fur, synthetic fur, shag, felt, fabric, cloth, plush or velvet. When a hand is moved along the length of said upper wall to apply a downward pressure therealong, the toy undulates as it travels across a surface to simulate the movement of a real or fanciful creature.

1 . A toy simulating a real or fanciful creature and comprising a head; and an elongated body, said body having a lower wall composed of suede and an upper portion composed of a material which, when stoked by applying downward pressure along the length of said body with sufficient force to cause a portion of said body to move downward, causes upward flexure of said upper body in the area thereof surrounding said downward portion with resulting travelling of said body along said surface with a rising and falling motion.  
   
   
       2 . The toy of  claim 1  wherein said upper portion has an outer wall composed of material selected from the group comprising plush, velvet, natural fur, synthetic fur, shag, felt fabric and cloth.  
   
   
       3 . The toy of  claim 1  wherein said suede frictionally resists movement thereof along an uneven surface.  
   
   
       4 . The toy of  claim 1  wherein said toy is composed of material of sufficient flexibility such that said toy undulates when a hand is moved along the length of said upper wall to apply a downward pressure therealong.  
   
   
       5 . The toy of  claim 1  wherein said toy has an outer wall which surrounds a flexible stuffing  
   
   
       6 . A method of causing a toy simulating a real or fanciful creature to travel along a surface with a smooth rising and falling motion, said toy having upper and lower portions formed into a head and elongated body of said creature, said method comprising the steps of: (i) providing said lower portion with a lower wall of suede; (ii) forming said upper portion of soft material; (iii) placing said toy on the surface; (iv) manually stoking said upper portion along its length with sufficient force to cause a portion of said body to move downward with resulting upward flexure in the area of said body surrounding said downward portion and to cause said toy to travel along said surface.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein said suede of step: (i) is sufficiently rough that it adheres means of friction to a surface on which said body rests.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 6  including the step of (v) forming the material of said upper portion lush or velvet.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 6  wherein said surface of step (iii) is fabric or carpet.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 6  wherein said surface of step (ii) frictionally resists movement of toy therealong and which is selected from the group comprising wood and metal.