Spring-actuated appendage for stuffed animal and method for use

Abstract

A stuffed animal includes a body and an appendage attached to the body. The appendage includes an elongate bi-stable spring element movable between a first extended position that is straight and a second articulated position that forms a loop. The stuffed animal further includes a material covering the body appendage. Deflecting the surface of the bi-stable spring element, such as by lightly rapping it, causes the spring element to move to the second articulated position and wrap the appendage around an object, such as a wrist, a child's bed rail, or stroller bar. The stuffed animal hangs from the object by the appendage, and will stay attached until pulled off, thereby preventing the accidental loss of the animal.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A stuffed animal comprising:
 a body;   a body appendage attached to the body, comprising an elongate bi-stable spring element having a proximal end and an opposing distal end, the bi-stable spring element being movable between a first extended position that is straight and a second articulated position that forms a loop; and   a material covering the body appendage.   
     
     
         2 . The stuffed animal according to  claim 1 , wherein the body is an animal body. 
     
     
         3 . The stuffed animal according to  claim 2 , wherein the body is a rabbit and the appendage is an ear. 
     
     
         4 . The stuffed animal according to  claim 2 , wherein the body is an elephant and the appendage is a trunk. 
     
     
         5 . The stuffed animal according to  claim 2 , wherein the body is a monkey. 
     
     
         6 . The stuffed animal according to  claim 2 , wherein the body is a dinosaur. 
     
     
         7 . The stuffed animal according to  claim 2 , wherein the appendage is a tail. 
     
     
         8 . The stuffed animal according to  claim 1 , wherein the bi-stable spring element is formed of a metal strip. 
     
     
         9 . The stuffed animal according to  claim 1 , wherein the bi-stable spring element comprises an arcuate cross section across its width. 
     
     
         10 . The stuffed animal according to  claim 1 , further comprising a second body appendage comprising a second elongate bi-stable spring element, the bi-stable spring element being movable between a first extended position and a second articulated position. 
     
     
         11 . The stuffed animal according to  claim 10 , wherein the first extended position is straight and the second articulated position is a loop. 
     
     
         12 . The stuffed animal according to  claim 10 , wherein the first extended position is straight and the second articulated position is a coil. 
     
     
         13 . A method for attaching a stuffed animal to an object, comprising the steps of:
 providing a stuffed animal having a body and an appendage attached to the body, the appendage including an elongate bi-stable spring element movable between a first extended position that is straight and a second articulated position that forms a loop;   extending the bi-stable spring element to the first extended position, thereby storing potential energy in the bi-stable spring element;   aligning the extended appendage to an object from which the animal will be hung;   deflecting the surface of the bi-stable spring element;   converting the potential energy in the spring element to kinetic energy, thereby causing the bi-stable spring element to move to the second articulated position and wrap around the object.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising a step of removing the appendage from the object by manually straightening out from its second articulated position to its first extended position. 
     
     
         15 . A method for therapeutic treatment of a patient's disorder or condition, comprising the steps of:
 providing a stuffed animal having a body and an appendage attached to the body, the appendage including an elongate bi-stable spring element movable between a first extended position that is straight and a second articulated position that forms a loop;   extending the bi-stable spring element to the first extended position, thereby storing potential energy in the bi-stable spring element;   aligning the extended appendage to a portion of the patient's body from which the stuffed animal will be hung;   deflecting the surface of the bi-stable spring element to convert the potential energy in the spring element to kinetic energy, thereby causing the bi-stable spring element to move to the second articulated position;   clasping the appendage of the stuffed animal around the portion of the patient's body; and   applying contact comfort to the patient for a clinically effective time period.   
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising the step of establishing a baseline state related to the disorder or condition. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the baseline state is selected from the group consisting of heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, temperature, stress hormone levels, and blood pressure. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the baseline state is dissociation. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the baseline state is selected from the group consisting of patient satisfaction, physical pain, emotional distress, calmness, happiness, and distraction. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 16 , further comprising the step of measuring a new state after the time period. 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 20 , further comprising the step of comparing the new state with the baseline state. 
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the patient's disorder or condition is mental. 
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 22 , wherein the mental disorder or condition is selected from the group consisting of Alzheimer's, dementia, bereavement, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, dissociative identity disorder, autism/Asperger's, anxiety, affective, emotional and behavior disorders, general geriatrics, anxiolytic intervention, sexual and physical abuse survivors, stress mediation, and reduction to speed recovery. 
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the patient's disorder or condition is physical. 
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 24 , wherein the physical disorder or condition is selected from the group consisting of Parkinson's, hypertension, cerebral palsy, coronary care, cancer care, general geriatrics, pain management, and dental procedures.