Convertible plush toy with storage

Abstract

A convertible plush toy can convert between two interconnected reversible shapes. The first shape is that of a plush buddy, such as a teddy bear, that may be reversed into a second, ball shape. The construction and relationship of the ball form to the teddy bear abdomen creates a hidden hollow storage compartment within the plush buddy. The ball size, the abdomen measurements and construction, and the shared opening are designed in such a way to allow the internalized form to support the externalized form, while providing enough independence to avoid distortion of the externalized shape. The ball configuration can be designed in a semi-rigid form, such as with an external plush, internal batting and inner lining, so that the ball retains its shape when externalized and also provides definition to the storage space when internalized.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A toy comprising:
 an invertible body movable between a first animal configuration and a second ball configuration;   an enclosed space formed in an abdomen region when the invertible body is in the first animal configuration; and   a stuffing-filled compartment having a first side forming an exterior abdomen portion of the first animal configuration, the stuffing-filled compartment being pushed toward a periphery when the toy is in the second ball configuration to help form a predetermined external shape in the second ball configuration, wherein a second side of the stuffing-filled compartment, opposite the first side, forms an exterior portion of the second ball configuration.   
     
     
         2 . The toy of  claim 1 , wherein the invertible body defines first and second edges that are operable to be secured together when the body is in either the first animal configuration or the second ball configuration. 
     
     
         3 . The toy of  claim 1 , wherein the body includes appendages that are contained in an interior region of the body when the body is in the second ball configuration and that extend outwardly from the body when the body is in the first animal configuration. 
     
     
         4 . The toy of  claim 1 , wherein the outer surface of the second ball configuration forms the enclosed space in the first animal configuration. 
     
     
         5 . The toy of  claim 1 , wherein the stuffing-filled compartment is stitched at each side thereof to a side portion of the first animal configuration. 
     
     
         6 . The toy of  claim 1 , further comprising an identification portion visible when the toy is in the first animal configuration, the identification portion providing identification as to at least one of a shape, color and pattern of the toy when the toy is in the second ball configuration. 
     
     
         7 . A toy comprising:
 an invertible body movable between a first animal configuration and a second ball configuration;   an opening formed in the invertible body, the opening having first and second edges that are operable to be secured together when the body is in either the first animal configuration or the second ball configuration to close the opening;   an enclosed space, defined by the outer surface of the toy in the second ball configuration, in an abdomen region when the invertible body is in the first animal configuration; and   a stuffing-filled compartment having a first side forming an exterior abdomen portion of the first animal configuration, the stuffing-filled compartment being pushed toward a periphery when the toy is in the second ball configuration to help form a predetermined external shape in the second ball configuration, wherein a second side of the stuffing-filled compartment, opposite the first side, forms an exterior portion of the second ball configuration.   
     
     
         8 . The toy of  claim 7 , wherein the body includes appendages that are contained in an interior region of the body when the body is in the second ball configuration and that extend outwardly from the body when the body is in the first animal configuration. 
     
     
         9 . The toy of  claim 7 , wherein the stuffing-filled compartment is stitched at each side thereof to a side portion of the first animal configuration. 
     
     
         10 . The toy of  claim 7 , further comprising an identification portion visible when the toy is in the first animal configuration, the identification portion providing identification as to at least one of a shape, color and pattern of the toy when the toy is in the second ball configuration.