Combination hand puppet and sports ball

Abstract

A plush toy is reversible between a first configuration in which the toy resembles a sports ball, and a second configuration in which the toy is a hand puppet. In the second configuration, the toy comprises an opening at a lower portion thereof for receiving a user's hand. The opening can be configured to allow the user to control one or more facial or other features of the puppet.

1 . A toy comprising: 
 a reversible fabric article having a first configuration in which a first fabric surface of the article is positioned on an exterior of the article, the first fabric surface being decorated to resemble a sports ball,    the article having a second configuration wherein the article assumes the shape of a puppet and wherein the first fabric surface is positioned on an interior of the article, the puppet having an opening at a lower portion of the article, the opening being sized to receive a hand of a user therein, and being configured to allow a user to control at least one feature of the puppet.    
   
   
       2 . The toy of  claim 1 , wherein the opening includes a portion extending into a feature of the puppet.  
   
   
       3 . The toy of  claim 1 , wherein the feature comprises at least one member of the group consisting of arm, leg, ear, nose, mouth, tail, and eye.  
   
   
       4 . The toy of  claim 1 , wherein the opening does not include a closure mechanism.  
   
   
       5 . The toy of  claim 1 , further comprising a first emblem positioned on a front portion of the puppet and a second emblem on an outer surface of the ball.  
   
   
       6 . A combination hand puppet and sports ball toy comprising: 
 a sewn fabric article arranged in a shape of a puppet having a head, a body, arms, legs and an opening configured to receive a user's hand, the opening being located at a lower portion of the puppet, the opening comprising portions configured to allow a user to control at least one of the head, arms and legs of the puppet via the opening;    wherein the article is further configured to be turned inside-out to an inverted position such that an interior surface of the opening surrounds the article, wherein, in the inverted position, the article is configured to resemble a sports ball.    
   
   
       7 . The toy of  claim 6 , wherein portions of the article comprise a stuffing material therein.  
   
   
       8 . The toy of  claim 6 , wherein the article comprises an emblem on an outer portion thereof in at least one of the puppet configuration or the sports ball configuration.  
   
   
       9 . A method of using a toy, the method comprising: 
 acquiring a plush toy in a shape resembling a sports ball and having an opening in a portion thereof;    inverting the toy by moving interior portions of the toy to the exterior, wherein the toy assumes the shape of a hand puppet upon said inverting;    operating said hand puppet by inserting a hand into said opening and manipulating at least one feature of the puppet.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the feature comprises at least one member of the group consisting of arm, leg, ear, nose, mouth, tail, and eye.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising providing a first emblem positioned on a front portion of the puppet and a second emblem on an outer surface of the ball.