Apparatus for a pillow convertible to a soft toy figure

Abstract

An apparatus is disclosed for a pillow that converts into a highly-developed, three-dimensional toy figure that, in certain embodiments, has a life-like shape. The apparatus includes a pillow or a hollow body with one or more clasping mechanisms. When engaged, the clasping mechanisms shape the apparatus into the soft, toy figure. When disengaged, the clasping mechanisms allow the apparatus to serve as a pillow with a soft, comfortable, relatively-flat surface for sleeping. Certain embodiments of the apparatus include an internal cavity that houses an extractable blanket to provide additional bedding.

1 . A soft pillow apparatus that converts into a toy figure, the soft pillow apparatus comprising:
 a pillow comprising an outer layer and an inner layer, the outer layer enclosing the inner layer; and   at least one clasping mechanism attached between the two sides of the pillow, the clasping mechanism having two sides, the two sides being capable of being engaged to cinch the pillow and of being disengaged to allow the pillow to assume its natural shape, the natural shape of the pillow being configured to serve as a pillow, the cinched pillow displaying the profile of a toy figure.   
   
   
       2 . The soft pillow apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the inner layer is comprised of a cushioning material. 
   
   
       3 . The soft pillow apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an internal cavity within the pillow, the internal cavity having an opening in one end of the pillow. 
   
   
       4 . The soft pillow apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a closure mechanism disposed along the opening of the internal cavity, wherein the closure mechanism closes the internal cavity when the closure mechanism is engaged and the closure mechanism exposes the internal cavity when the closure mechanism is disengaged, wherein the closure mechanism is one of a zipper, a corresponding pair of hook and loop strips, snaps, buttons, and a series of eyelets and hooks. 
   
   
       5 . The soft pillow apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a blanket attached to the pillow and configured to compress and to fit into the internal cavity, and further configured to extend from the pillow when fully spread out. 
   
   
       6 . The soft pillow apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the blanket is attached to the pillow by one of a zipper, a corresponding pair of hook and loop strips, snaps, and buttons, such that the blanket may be detached from the pillow. 
   
   
       7 . The soft pillow apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one extremity attached to the pillow, the extremity having a soft filling and contributing to the profile of the toy figure displayed by the cinched pillow. 
   
   
       8 . The soft toy apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein at least one extremity is one of a head a tail, an arm, a leg, a wing, and a wheel. 
   
   
       9 . The soft pillow apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a first side of the two sides of the clasping mechanism is comprised of a loop and a second side of the two sides of the clasping mechanism is comprised of a strap, the strap configured to be threaded through the loop, to double back on itself, and to be connected to itself, after passing through the loop, by one of at least one hook, at least one corresponding pair of hook and loop strips, at least one buckle, at least one snap, and at least one button, so as to cinch the pillow. 
   
   
       10 . The soft pillow apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the toy figure displayed by the cinched pillow is one of an animal, a vehicle, an imaginary creature, and a doll. 
   
   
       11 . A soft toy apparatus that converts to bedding, the soft toy apparatus comprising:
 a hollow body having a top layer and a bottom layer, the top layer attached to the bottom layer, thereby forming an internal cavity, the internal cavity having an opening in one end of the hollow body;   a blanket attached to the hollow body and configured to compress and to fit into the internal cavity, and further configured to extend from the hollow body when fully spread out; and   at least one clasping mechanism attached between the two sides of the hollow body, the clasping mechanism having two sides, the two sides being capable of being engaged to cinch the hollow body and of being disengaged to allow the hollow body to assume its natural shape, the natural shape of the hollow body being configured to serve as a pillow, the cinched hollow body displaying the profile of a toy figure.   
   
   
       12 . The soft toy apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the hollow body also has a layer of soft filling between at least one of the top layer and the bottom layer and the internal cavity. 
   
   
       13 . The soft toy apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising a closure mechanism disposed along the opening of the internal cavity, wherein the closure mechanism closes the internal cavity when the closure mechanism is engaged and the closure mechanism exposes the internal cavity when the closure mechanism is disengaged and wherein the closure mechanism is one of a zipper, a corresponding pair of hook and loop strips, snaps, buttons, and a series of eyelets and hooks. 
   
   
       14 . The soft toy apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the blanket is attached to the hallow body by one of a zipper, a corresponding pair of hook and loop strips, snaps, and buttons, such that the blanket may be detached from the hallow body. 
   
   
       15 . The soft toy apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising at least one extremity attached to the hollow body, the extremity having a soft filling and contributing to the profile of the toy figure displayed by the cinched hallow body. 
   
   
       16 . The soft toy apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein at least one extremity is one of a head a tail, an arm, a leg, a wing, and a wheel. 
   
   
       17 . The soft toy apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein a first side of the two sides of the clasping mechanism is comprised of a loop and a second side of the two sides of the clasping mechanism is comprised of a strap, the strap configured to be threaded through the loop, to double back on itself, and to be connected to itself, after passing through the loop, by one of at least one hook, at least one corresponding pair of hook and loop strips, at least one buckle, at least one snap, and at least one button, so as to cinch the hollow body. 
   
   
       18 . The soft toy apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the toy figure displayed by the cinched hollow body is one of an animal, a vehicle, an imaginary creature, and a doll. 
   
   
       19 . A soft pillow apparatus that converts to a toy figure, the soft pillow apparatus comprising:
 a pillow comprising an outer layer and an inner layer, the outer layer enclosing the inner layer;   an internal cavity within the pillow, the internal cavity having an opening in one end of the pillow, the opening having a closure mechanism that is engaged to close the internal cavity and is released to expose the internal cavity, the closure mechanism being one of a zipper, a corresponding pair of hook and loop strips, snaps, buttons, and a series of eyelets and hooks.   a blanket attached to the pillow and configured to compress and to fit into the internal cavity, and further configured to extend from the pillow when fully unfurled;   at least one clasping mechanism attached between the two sides of the pillow, the clasping mechanism having two sides, the two sides being capable of being engaged to cinch the pillow and of being disengaged to allow the pillow to assume its natural shape, the natural shape of the pillow being configured to serve as a pillow, the cinched pillow displaying the profile of a toy figure; and   at least one extremity attached to the pillow, the extremity having a soft filling, being one of a head, a tail, an arm, a leg, a wing, and a wheel, and contributing to the profile of the toy figure displayed by the cinched pillow.   
   
   
       20 . The soft pillow apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the inner layer is comprised of a cushioning material. 
   
   
       21 . The soft pillow apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the blanket is attached to the pillow by one of a zipper, a corresponding pair of hook and loop strips, snaps, and buttons, such that the blanket may be detached from the pillow. 
   
   
       22 . The soft pillow apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein a first side of the two sides of the clasping mechanism is comprised of a loop and a second side of the two sides of the clasping mechanism is comprised of a strap, the strap configured to be threaded through the loop, to double back on itself, and to be connected to itself, after passing through the loop, by one of at least one hook, at least one corresponding pair of hook and loop strips, at least one buckle, at least one snap, and at least one button, so as to cinch the pillow. 
   
   
       23 . The soft pillow apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the toy figure displayed by the cinched pillow is one of an animal, a vehicle, an imaginary creature, and a doll.