Stuffed Toy With Simulated Heartbeat and Method of Making Same

Abstract

There is provided a stuffed toy with a simulated, illuminating heartbeat and a method of making thereof. An individual, or an assistant thereof, is provided with an empty, sewn fabric skin, a simulated heartbeat device, and a supply of stuffing material. The simulated heartbeat device has at least one light source and an optional heart-shaped design on one side. At least one battery holder on the opposite side contains at least one replaceable battery for energizing the light source. The individual, or an assistant therof, removes an insulating tab from the heartbeat device, energizing the light source and producing an illuminated light. After filling the toy with stuffing material, the individual, or an assistant thereof, places the heartbeat device inside the stuffed toy near the skin of the chest area. The individual, of an assistant thereof, then closes the rear opening. In appropriate lighting conditions and with appropriate placement within the fabric skin, the light from the heartbeat device is visible through the fabric skin, simulating the heartbeat of a stuffed toy.

1 . A stuffed toy comprising:
 a skin defining an inner cavity;   stuffing provided in said inner cavity;   said skin comprised of a material that allows at least partial light transmission through said skin;   at least one light source placed within said cavity; and   said light source arranged sufficiently close to said skin to allow light to emanate from said skin when said light source is illuminated.   
   
   
       2 . The stuffed toy of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a power source contained in said inner cavity; and   said power source providing power to said light source.   
   
   
       3 . The stuffed toy of  claim 2  wherein:
 said power source is contained in a housing; and   at least one replaceable battery is removably disposed in said housing.   
   
   
       4 . The stuffed toy of  claim 2 , wherein said light source is placed proximate an area of said stuffed toy corresponding to a chest cavity. 
   
   
       5 . The stuffed toy of  claim 2 , wherein said light source is intermittently operable. 
   
   
       6 . The stuffed toy of  claim 2 , wherein said light source includes a heart design. 
   
   
       7 . The stuffed toy of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 an openable and closeable aperture provided in said skin.   
   
   
       8 . The stuffed toy of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a second cavity contained within said skin;   said light source contained in said inner cavity;   stuffing contained in said inner cavity; and   said power source contained in said second cavity.   
   
   
       9 . The stuffed toy of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 an openable and closeable aperture provided in said second cavity.   
   
   
       10 . A stuffed toy comprising:
 a skin defining an inner cavity;   said skin having at least one aperture;   said at least one aperture selectively openable and closeable;   material fixedly attached about the periphery of said material proximate an area of said stuffed toy corresponding to a chest cavity to define a semi-enclosed interior space;   at least one light source removably disposed in said semi-enclosed interior space;   said skin comprised of a material that allows at least partial light transmission through said skin, whereby light emanates through said skin when said light source is illuminated; and   stuffing provided in said skin.   
   
   
       11 . The stuffed toy of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a power source contained in said inner cavity;   said power source providing power to said light source; and   said power source comprising at least one replaceable battery.   
   
   
       12 . The stuffed toy of  claim 11  wherein:
 said power source is contained in a housing; and   at least one replaceable battery is removably disposed in said housing.   
   
   
       13 . The stuffed toy of  claim 11 , wherein said light source is intermittently operable. 
   
   
       14 . The stuffed toy of  claim 11 , wherein said light source includes a heart design. 
   
   
       15 . The stuffed toy of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a second cavity contained within said skin;   said light source is removably disposed in said semi-enclosed interior space;   stuffing contained in said inner cavity; and   said power source contained in said second cavity.   
   
   
       16 . The stuffed toy of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 an openable and closeable aperture provided in said second cavity.   
   
   
       17 . A method for constructing a stuffed toy containing a simulated heart comprising the steps of:
 providing a skin, said skin comprising a material at least partially allowing light transmittal therethrough;   defining at least one openable and closeable aperture in said skin;   inserting at least one light source in said skin through said closeable aperture;   activating said at least one light source;   inserting at least one light source in said skin through said aperture;   inserting a stuffing material through said aperture;   arranging said light source proximate said skin; and   closing said aperture.   
   
   
       18 . The method for constructing a stuffed toy containing a simulated heart of  claim 17  wherein said step of inserting at least one light source in said skin through said aperture occurs after said step of inserting stuffing material through said aperture.