Toy with interchangeable hair components

Abstract

A toy in the form of a horse with removable and interchangeable hair components. The mane hair component can be easily slid into and out of a channel defined along the length of the neck of the horse toy. A tail component is secured within a complementary receptacle in the body of the horse.

1 . A toy comprising:
 a housing defining a shape of a horse, a tail receptacle and a channel, the tail receptacle defining a space to receive a removable tail component, the channel having an opening to receive a first removable mane component and an opening along a portion of a neck of the shape of the horse through which the mane is disposed;   the first removable tail component having a base to secure the first removable tail component within the housing and a tail having a plurality of natural or artificial threads; and   the first removable mane component having a base to secure the removable mane component within the channel and a mane having a plurality of natural or artificial threads.   
     
     
         2 . The toy of  claim 1 , wherein the channel defines a triangular opening through which the first removable mane component is inserted and removed from the channel. 
     
     
         3 . The toy of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a locking mechanism disposed within the housing to secure and release the first removable tail component.   
     
     
         4 . The toy of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second removable mane component having a base to secure the second removable mane component within the channel and a mane having a plurality of natural or artificial threads with at least one characteristic distinct from the mane of the first removable mane component.   
     
     
         5 . The toy of  claim 1 , where the mane is slidably disposed within the mane hair component to enable lengthening or shortening of a portion of the mane extending out from the mane hair component. 
     
     
         6 . The toy of  claim 1 , wherein the mane hair component includes a base having a triangular cross-section. 
     
     
         7 . The toy of  claim 6 , wherein the base defines a first opening at one end through which a first portion of the mane exists in the base. 
     
     
         8 . The toy of  claim 7 , wherein the base defines a second opening along a length of the base through which a second portion of the mane exits the base. 
     
     
         9 . The toy of  claim 8 , wherein the base has a length of 1 inch to 3 inches, wherein the base is molded plastic, and wherein the second opening has a length from 1 inch to 3 inches. 
     
     
         10 . The toy of  claim 1 , wherein the first removable mane component includes a wall having a curved outer surface to orient the insertion of the first removable mane component into the housing.