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:
 an integral housing defining a shape of a horse; and   a groove having a length, the groove having a first groove end at one end of the length to receive a first removable mane component;   wherein the first removable mane component includes a base configured to secure the removable mane component within the groove and a mane having a plurality of natural or artificial threads, the base having a first base end and a second base end;   wherein the base includes a longitudinal axis and the first base end and the second base end are aligned along the longitudinal axis and on opposite ends of the base;   wherein the groove includes an opening at the first groove end through which the first base end of the base of the mane component is inserted and the base is inserted into the groove by sliding the base into the groove in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base.   
     
     
         2 . The toy of  claim 1 , wherein the first groove end defines the second opening and the second opening is a triangular opening through which the base of the first removable mane component is inserted and removed from the groove. 
     
     
         3 . The toy of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second removable mane component having a second base to secure the second removable mane component within the groove 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.   
     
     
         4 . 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. 
     
     
         5 . The toy of  claim 1 , wherein the base of the mane hair component includes a triangular cross-section and the groove includes a corresponding triangular cross-section. 
     
     
         6 . The toy of  claim 5 , wherein the base of the mane hair component includes a first opening at one end through which a first portion of the mane exits the base. 
     
     
         7 . The toy of  claim 6 , wherein the base of the mane hair component includes a second opening along a length of the base through which a second portion of the mane exits the base, the first opening being separated from the second opening by a portion of the base. 
     
     
         8 . The toy of  claim 7 , wherein the base has a length of 1 centimeter to 3 centimeters, wherein the base is molded plastic, and wherein the second opening has a length from 1 centimeter to 3 centimeters.