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 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; and   an enclosed space formed in an abdomen region when the invertible body is in the first animal 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 . 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; and   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.   
     
     
         6 . The toy of  claim 5 , 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.