Parent-infant-interactive, sensory-stimulation toy and methods of use

Abstract

This disclosure is generally directed to a parent-infant-interactive, sensory-stimulation toy and associated methods of use. Such a toy features an interchangeable elongated feather-like tail member used for gently and playfully stroking a baby's body, wherein the material use for the feather-like member can be made from various types of irresistibly touchable and non-toxic (and preferably hypoallergenic), baby-safe materials of various textures and different sensations. Such materials include, but are not limited to, silks and velvet that are specially configured to provide the desired touch sensory stimulation while eliminating a choking hazard. The toy features a soft and squeezable body member with other graspable appendages and sound-emanating internal components (bells, rattles, crinkle paper, etc.), and the toy as a whole is artistically designed to be visually stimulating to a child, often being fashioned after various animals and/or imaginary characters.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A multi-functional toy for facilitating the interaction between an infant and the infant's caregiver and for causing sensory stimulation in an infant, the toy comprising:
 a body member, said body member comprised of a fabric exterior containing a filler material that renders said body member soft and resilient, said body member having a front side and a back side; and   a flexibly stiff tail member attached to the back side of said body member, wherein:
 said tail member extends higher than said body member, 
 said tail member has a flexible handle member disposed on one end for holding by a user, and 
 said tail member's exterior surface comprised of soft and flexible materials to present a synthetic feather-like texture. 
   
     
     
         2 . The toy of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one appendage on said body member adapted to facilitate the ability of an average infant to grasp. 
     
     
         3 . The toy of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one noise-making capability. 
     
     
         4 . The toy of  claim 3 , wherein said at least one noise-making capability is caused by a member selected from the group consisting of a mechanical bell, a jingle bell member, an internal rattle, a squeaker device, a with CPSIA-compliant crinkle material, a EN-71-compliant crinkle material, and an electronic device with speaker capable of emitting programmed sounds. 
     
     
         5 . The toy of  claim 1 , wherein said tail member exterior surface is substantially comprised of a fabric selected from the group consisting of satin, silk, velvet, silky shag, silky fringe, microfiber chenille, Muppet shag, thick yarn, thin yarn, fine yarn, soft cotton, and cut stretch velvet. 
     
     
         6 . The toy of  claim 1 , wherein said tail member exterior surface is substantially comprised of at least one semi-plume feather. 
     
     
         7 . The toy of  claim 1 , wherein said tail member has an internal spine structure that is comprised of a flexibly stiff member that is selected from the group consisting of a 30 Shore A silicone rubber, plastic stick, a rolled-paper stick, a foam stick, and a molded rubber stick. 
     
     
         8 . The toy of  claim 7 , wherein said internal spine structure comprises a core spine that has a plurality of rib structures separated from each adjacent rib by a space along the longitudinal axis of said core spine, wherein said plurality of rib structures decrease in diameter size toward the top of said spine structure to form a tapered spine structure from bottom to top. 
     
     
         9 . The toy of  claim 7  or  claim 8 , wherein said spine structure deviates from a straight line by incorporating at least one curvature along the length of said spine structure. 
     
     
         10 . The toy of  claim 5 , wherein said tail member is further comprised of filler material selected from the group consisting of polyester, polyester fiberfill, polyester pellets, microbeads, polystyrene pellets, high-density foam, wool, and natural shredded rubber. 
     
     
         11 . The toy of  claim 1 , wherein all materials comprising the toy are hypoallergenic. 
     
     
         12 . The toy of  claim 1 , wherein all materials comprising the toy are organic. 
     
     
         13 . The toy of  claim 1 , wherein said filler material in said body member is selected from the group consisting of polyester, polyester fiberfill, polyester pellets, microbeads, polystyrene pellets, foam, down feathers, wool, natural shredded rubber, seeds, and plant matter. 
     
     
         14 . The toy of  claim 1 , further comprising filler material that is scented. 
     
     
         15 . The toy of  claim 14 , wherein said scented filler material is interchangeable with new filler material of other types or scents. 
     
     
         16 . The toy of  claim 15 , further comprising an interchangeable scent-producing member disposed in said body member. 
     
     
         17 . The toy of  claim 1 , wherein said handle member is fixedly attached on each end of said handle member to the rear side of said body member. 
     
     
         18 . The toy of  claim 1 , wherein said tail member is detachably coupled to said body member such that said tail member can be changed out for a different type of tail member or for a differently ornamented tail member or such that said tail member and said body member can be used independently from each other. 
     
     
         19 . The toy of  claim 18 , wherein said detachable coupling is accomplished by a means selected from the group consisting of hook-and-loop coupling, magnetic coupling, and mechanical-snap coupling. 
     
     
         20 . The toy of  claim 1 , wherein said toy is aesthetically configured to resemble an animal. 
     
     
         21 . The toy of  claim 1 , further comprising a teething ring, said teething ring coupled to said body member. 
     
     
         22 . The toy of  claim 21 , wherein said teething ring is detachably coupled to said body member to allow for the change-out with a new teething ring. 
     
     
         23 . The toy of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one tag member fixedly coupled to said body member. 
     
     
         24 . The toy of  claim 23 , wherein said tag member is substantially comprised of satin material. 
     
     
         25 . A method of making a multi-functional toy for facilitating the interaction between an infant and the infant's caregiver and for causing sensory stimulation in an infant, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a body member, said body member comprised of a fabric exterior containing a filler material that renders said body member soft and resilient, said body member having a front side and a back side; and   providing a flexibly stiff tail member attached to the back side of said body member, wherein:
 said tail member extends higher than said body member, 
 said tail member has a flexible handle member disposed on one end for holding by a user, and 
 said tail member's exterior surface comprised of soft and flexible materials to present a synthetic feather-like texture. 
   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising the step of providing at least one appendage on said body member adapted to facilitate the ability of an average infant to grasp. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising the step of providing at least one noise-making capability. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein said at least one noise-making capability is caused by a member selected from the group consisting of a mechanical bell, a jingle bell member, an internal rattle, a squeaker device, a with CPSIA-compliant crinkle material, a EN-71-compliant crinkle material, and an electronic device with speaker capable of emitting programmed sounds. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein said tail member exterior surface is substantially comprised of a fabric selected from the group consisting of satin, silk, velvet, silky shag, silky fringe, microfiber chenille, Muppet shag, thick yarn, thin yarn, fine yarn, soft cotton, and cut stretch velvet. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein said tail member exterior surface is substantially comprised of at least one semi-plume feather. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising the step of providing for said tail member an internal spine structure that is comprised of a flexibly stiff member that is selected from the group consisting of a 30 Shore A silicone rubber, plastic stick, a rolled-paper stick, a foam stick, and a molded rubber stick. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein said internal spine structure comprises a core spine that has a plurality of rib structures separated from each adjacent rib by a space along the longitudinal axis of said core spine, wherein said plurality of rib structures decrease in diameter size toward the top of said spine structure to form a tapered spine structure from bottom to top. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 31  or  claim 32 , wherein said spine structure deviates from a straight line by incorporating at least one curvature along the length of said spine structure. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein said tail member is further comprised of filler material selected from the group consisting of polyester, polyester fiberfill, polyester pellets, microbeads, polystyrene pellets, high-density foam, wool, and natural shredded rubber. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein all materials comprising the toy are hypoallergenic. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein all materials comprising the toy are organic. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein said filler material in said body member is selected from the group consisting of polyester, polyester fiberfill, polyester pellets, microbeads, polystyrene pellets, foam, down feathers, wool, natural shredded rubber, seeds, and plant matter. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising the step of providing filler material that is scented. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein said scented filler material is interchangeable with new filler material of other types or scents. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , further comprising the step of providing an interchangeable scent-producing member disposed in said body member. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein said flexible handle member is fixedly attached on each end of said handle member to the rear side of said body member. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein said tail member is detachably coupled to said body member such that said tail member can be changed out for a different type of tail member or for a differently ornamented tail member or such that said tail member and said body member can be used independently from each other. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein said detachable coupling is accomplished by a means selected from the group consisting of hook-and-loop coupling, magnetic coupling, and mechanical-snap coupling. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein said toy is aesthetically configured to resemble an animal. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising the step of providing a teething ring, said teething ring coupled to said body member. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 45 , further comprising a means to detachably couple said teething ring to said body member to allow for the change-out with a new teething ring. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising the step of providing at least one tag member fixedly coupled to said body member. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein said tag member is substantially comprised of satin material. 
     
     
         49 . A method of using a multi-functional, parent-infant-interactive, sensory-stimulation toy according to  claim 1 , the method comprising the steps of:
 by a child caregiver, obtaining a multi-functional, parent-infant-interactive, sensory-stimulation toy according to  claim 1 ;   by a child caregiver, holding the handle member of said toy and gently caressing said baby's face, body, arms, hands, legs, feet, and/or belly with the tail member of said toy; and   by a child caregiver, verbally engaging with said baby while performing said holding-and-caressing step, wherein said verbal engagement includes discussing said child caregiver's actions and the introduction of new words as part of the description of the details of the activities taken by said child caregiver.   
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49 , further comprising the step of: by a child caregiver, letting said baby play with and try to grasp said toy's tail member, handle member, and teething ring. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 49 , further comprising the step of: by a child caregiver, as each of said baby's body part is named and touched, describing how each body part is connected. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein said toy further comprises at least one appendage on said body member adapted to facilitate the ability of an average infant to grasp. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein said toy further comprises at least one noise-making capability. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein said at least one noise-making capability is caused by a member selected from the group consisting of a mechanical bell, a jingle bell member, an internal rattle, a squeaker device, a with CPSIA-compliant crinkle material, a EN-71-compliant crinkle material, and an electronic device with speaker capable of emitting programmed sounds. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 53  or  claim 54 , further comprising the step of: by a child caregiver, causing audio stimulation of said baby by actuating at least one of said toy's noise-making capabilities. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein said tail member exterior surface is substantially comprised of a fabric selected from the group consisting of satin, silk, velvet, silky shag, silky fringe, microfiber chenille, Muppet shag, thick yarn, thin yarn, fine yarn, soft cotton, and cut stretch velvet. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein said tail member exterior surface is substantially comprised of at least one semi-plume feather. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein said tail member has an internal spine structure that is comprised of a flexibly stiff member that is selected from the group consisting of a 30 Shore A silicone rubber, plastic stick, a rolled-paper stick, a foam stick, and a molded rubber stick. 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 58 , wherein said internal spine structure comprises a core spine that has a plurality of rib structures separated from each adjacent rib by a space along the longitudinal axis of said core spine, wherein said plurality of rib structures decrease in diameter size toward the top of said spine structure to form a tapered spine structure from bottom to top. 
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 58  or  claim 59 , wherein said spine structure deviates from a straight line by incorporating at least one curvature along the length of said spine structure. 
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein said tail member is further comprised of filler material selected from the group consisting of polyester, polyester fiberfill, polyester pellets, microbeads, polystyrene pellets, high-density foam, wool, and natural shredded rubber. 
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein all materials comprising the toy are hypoallergenic. 
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein all materials comprising the toy are organic. 
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein said filler material in said body member is selected from the group consisting of polyester, polyester fiberfill, polyester pellets, microbeads, polystyrene pellets, foam, down feathers, wool, natural shredded rubber, seeds, and plant matter. 
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 49 , further comprising filler material that is scented. 
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 65 , wherein said scented filler material is interchangeable with new filler material of other types or scents. 
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein said toy further comprises an interchangeable scent-producing member disposed in said body member. 
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 66  or  claim 67 , further comprising the step of replacing said scented filler material with differently scented filler material. 
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein said handle member is fixedly attached on each end of said handle member to the rear side of said body member. 
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein said tail member is detachably coupled to said body member such that said tail member can be changed out for a different type of tail member or for a differently ornamented tail member or such that said tail member and said body member can be used independently from each other. 
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein said detachable coupling is accomplished by a means selected from the group consisting of hook-and-loop coupling, magnetic coupling, and mechanical-snap coupling. 
     
     
         72 . The method of  claim 70  or  claim 71 , further comprising the steps of:
 decoupling said tail member; and 
 attaching a new tail member to said toy. 
 
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 70  or  claim 71 , further comprising the steps of:
 decoupling said tail member; and 
 using said tail member independently from the body of said toy. 
 
     
     
         74 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein said toy is aesthetically configured to resemble an animal. 
     
     
         75 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein said toy further comprises a teething ring, said teething ring coupled to said body member. 
     
     
         76 . The method of  claim 75 , wherein said teething ring is detachably coupled to said body member to allow for the change-out with a new teething ring. 
     
     
         77 . The method of  claim 76 , further comprising the steps of:
 detaching said teething ring from said toy;   cleaning said teething ring; and   reattaching said teething ring to said toy.   
     
     
         78 . The method of  claim 76 , further comprising the steps of:
 detaching said teething ring from said toy; and   attaching a new teething ring to said toy.   
     
     
         79 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein said toy further comprises at least one tag member fixedly coupled to said body member. 
     
     
         80 . The method of  claim 79 , wherein said tag member is substantially comprised of satin material.