Family hand puppet

Abstract

A family hand puppet. A substantially solid body is provided in the shape of a human hand, the body having a main portion and a plurality of separate fingers extending therefrom, each finger having a distal end. A set of separate attachments is also provided, and a fastening mechanism such as hook and loop fasteners or adhesive tape releasably connects the set of separate attachments to corresponding distal ends of the fingers. In another embodiment, the puppet has a hollow body, forming a glove for articulation by a human hand inserted therein.

1 . A family hand puppet comprising:
 a) a substantially solid body in the shape of a human hand, the body having a main portion and a plurality of separate fingers, each of the fingers being connected to the main portion of the substantially solid body and extending therefrom, each finger having a distal end;   b) a flexible outer covering surrounding at least a portion of the substantially solid body and the plurality of separate fingers, the outer covering comprising a material selected from a group consisting entirely of: woven fabric, plush fabric, and combination thereof;   c) a set of separate attachments; and   d) means for releasably connecting the set of separate attachments to corresponding distal ends of the fingers.   
     
     
         2 . The family hand puppet in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the means for releasably connecting the set of separate attachments to corresponding distal ends of the fingers is attached to each of the set of separate attachments and comprises at least one of a set of fastening devices consisting of: hook and loop fasteners; adhesive tape; rubber cement; magnets; and snaps. 
     
     
         3 . The family hand puppet in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein each of the set of separate attachments comprises a separate image. 
     
     
         4 . The family hand puppet in accordance with  claim 3 , wherein the separate images are chosen from a set of images consisting of: photographs; and graphic images. 
     
     
         5 . The family hand puppet in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein the photographs and graphic images are chosen from a set of images consisting of: depictions of human heads representative of members of a family; cartoon characters; fictional characters; fanciful characters; animals; fruits; vegetables; colors; patterns; shapes; letters; numbers; and edible items. 
     
     
         6 . The family hand puppet in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the set of separate attachments comprises means for generating sounds. 
     
     
         7 . The family hand puppet in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the set of separate attachments comprises odiferous material. 
     
     
         8 . The family hand puppet in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the set of separate attachments comprises raised indicia. 
     
     
         9 . The family hand puppet in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein the raised indicia represent braille letters. 
     
     
         10 . A hand puppet forming a glove for articulation by a human hand inserted therein, comprising:
 a) a substantially solid body in the shape of a human hand, the body having a main portion and a plurality of separate fingers extending therefrom, each finger having a distal end;   b) a flexible outer covering surrounding at least a portion of the substantially solid body and the plurality of separate fingers, a gap being formed between the body and the outer covering for allowing a user to insert her hand therebetween, the outer covering comprising a material selected from a group consisting entirely of: woven fabric, plush fabric, and combination thereof;   c) a set of separate attachments; and   d) means for releasably connecting the set of separate attachments to corresponding distal ends of the fingers.   
     
     
         11 . The hand puppet forming a glove for articulation by a human hand inserted therein in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein the means for releasably connecting the set of separate attachments to corresponding distal ends of the fingers is attached to each of the set of separate attachments and comprises at least one of a set of fastening devices consisting of: hook and loop fasteners; adhesive tape; rubber cement; magnets; and snaps. 
     
     
         12 . The hand puppet forming a glove for articulation by a human hand inserted therein in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein each of the set of separate attachments comprises a separate image. 
     
     
         13 . The hand puppet forming a glove for articulation by a human hand inserted therein in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein the separate images are chosen from a set of images consisting of: photographs; and graphic images. 
     
     
         14 . The hand puppet forming a glove for articulation by a human hand inserted therein in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein the photographs and graphic images are chosen from a set of images consisting of: depictions of human heads representative of members of a family; cartoon characters; fictional characters; fanciful characters; animals; fruits; vegetables; colors; patterns;
 shapes; letters; numbers; and edible items.   
     
     
         15 . The hand puppet forming a glove for articulation by a human hand inserted therein in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein the set of separate attachments comprises means for generating sounds. 
     
     
         16 . The hand puppet forming a glove for articulation by a human hand inserted therein in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein the set of separate attachments comprises odiferous material. 
     
     
         17 . The hand puppet forming a glove for articulation by a human hand inserted therein in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein the set of separate attachments comprises raised indicia. 
     
     
         18 . The hand puppet forming a glove for articulation by a human hand inserted therein in accordance with  claim 17 , wherein the raised indicia represent braille letters.