GB2169811A - Child's dummy having a light source - Google Patents

Abstract

A child's dummy is provided with a luminescent or other light source to enable location of the dummy in the dark. Preferably the light source is positioned in the plug 5 which secures the teat 4 to the body of the dummy. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Dummy This invention relates to children's dummies.

Present constructions of children's dummies have the disadvantage that they are easily lost or mislaid, or are difficult to locate in the dark, for example, at night in a child's cot or pram when the child has dropped it. In those circumstances, particularly if the child has fallen asleep, one may not want to switch on the light for fear of disturbing the child, in order to recover the dummy. To some extent the problem is solved by pinning the dummy to the child's clothing, or hanging the dummy on a ribbon but that solution likewise has its disadvantages.

In the present invention a child's dummy is provided with a luminous marker or other light source to enable the dummy to be located in the dark.

The luminous marker or other light source may be located in any suitable position on the dummy. One commonly used dummy construction comprises a disc member, usually of moulded plastics and having a central aperture which receives the end of the rubber teat. The end of the teat is secured in the recess by means of a plug or stud which is a press fit into the aperture in the disc from the opposite side. In such a preferred construction the luminous marker provided in accordance with this invention is provided in or on the plug. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the plug is of moulded transparent or translucent plastics material and the luminous marker or other light source is located inside the plug.

Such dummies usually also include a handle or ring either integrally moulded with or hingedly connected to the disc member. Equally well, therefore, the luminescent marker or light source could be located in or on the ring, or in or on the disc itself, the actual position being immaterial so far as the inventive concept is concerned.

Likewise the actual material used to provide the luminescent marker is immaterial so far as the inventive concept is concerned. Depending on the obvious requirements of health and safety, any suitably phosphorescent material may be used, and preferably one capable of exhibiting phosphorescence over several hours at a time.

Similarly the methods used in the construction of the dummy itself are quite conventional, and need not be described here, save that in accordance with a preferred aspect, the dummy, or part of it at least, is constructed of transparent or translucent material overlying or enclosing the luminescent or other light source.

A typical and preferred embodiment of a luminescent dummy in accordance with this invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

Referring to the drawings in which Figure 1 is a general perspective view of the dummy, and Figure 2 is a section on the line 1-1, the dummy comprises a conventional disc-shaped base member 2, e.g. of moulded plastics material, having a moulded base 3 on its underside presenting a through aperture in which the end of a teat 4 is clamped by means of a plug 5 which is a press fit in the aperture. On its upper surface, the disc member is provided with a hinged, or integrally moulded, handle or ring 6.

In accordance with the invention, it is the plug 5 that is preferably made luminescent thereby to enable location of the dummy in the dark. Alternatively the handle 6, or the disc 2 may be made luminescent. As already indicated, it is preferred that the plug itself should be transparent so that the luminescent material may be located therein.

1. A chiid's dummy incorporating a luminescent or other light source.

2. A child's dummy according to claim 1, wherein the dummy comprises a disc-shaped moulded plastics member having a central aperture therein in which is seated the end of a rubber teat and secured therein by means of a plug that is a press fit in said aperture, and wherein the luminescent or other light source is provided in or on the plug.

3. A child's dummy according to claim 2, wherein the plug is of transparent or translucent materjial and the luminescent or other light source is positioned inside the plug so as to be visible therethrough.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (3)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Dummy This invention relates to children's dummies. Present constructions of children's dummies have the disadvantage that they are easily lost or mislaid, or are difficult to locate in the dark, for example, at night in a child's cot or pram when the child has dropped it. In those circumstances, particularly if the child has fallen asleep, one may not want to switch on the light for fear of disturbing the child, in order to recover the dummy. To some extent the problem is solved by pinning the dummy to the child's clothing, or hanging the dummy on a ribbon but that solution likewise has its disadvantages. In the present invention a child's dummy is provided with a luminous marker or other light source to enable the dummy to be located in the dark. The luminous marker or other light source may be located in any suitable position on the dummy. One commonly used dummy construction comprises a disc member, usually of moulded plastics and having a central aperture which receives the end of the rubber teat. The end of the teat is secured in the recess by means of a plug or stud which is a press fit into the aperture in the disc from the opposite side. In such a preferred construction the luminous marker provided in accordance with this invention is provided in or on the plug. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the plug is of moulded transparent or translucent plastics material and the luminous marker or other light source is located inside the plug. Such dummies usually also include a handle or ring either integrally moulded with or hingedly connected to the disc member. Equally well, therefore, the luminescent marker or light source could be located in or on the ring, or in or on the disc itself, the actual position being immaterial so far as the inventive concept is concerned. Likewise the actual material used to provide the luminescent marker is immaterial so far as the inventive concept is concerned. Depending on the obvious requirements of health and safety, any suitably phosphorescent material may be used, and preferably one capable of exhibiting phosphorescence over several hours at a time. Similarly the methods used in the construction of the dummy itself are quite conventional, and need not be described here, save that in accordance with a preferred aspect, the dummy, or part of it at least, is constructed of transparent or translucent material overlying or enclosing the luminescent or other light source. A typical and preferred embodiment of a luminescent dummy in accordance with this invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing. Referring to the drawings in which Figure 1 is a general perspective view of the dummy, and Figure 2 is a section on the line 1-1, the dummy comprises a conventional disc-shaped base member 2, e.g. of moulded plastics material, having a moulded base 3 on its underside presenting a through aperture in which the end of a teat 4 is clamped by means of a plug 5 which is a press fit in the aperture. On its upper surface, the disc member is provided with a hinged, or integrally moulded, handle or ring 6. In accordance with the invention, it is the plug 5 that is preferably made luminescent thereby to enable location of the dummy in the dark. Alternatively the handle 6, or the disc 2 may be made luminescent. As already indicated, it is preferred that the plug itself should be transparent so that the luminescent material may be located therein. CLAIMS

1. A chiid's dummy incorporating a luminescent or other light source.

2. A child's dummy according to claim 1, wherein the dummy comprises a disc-shaped moulded plastics member having a central aperture therein in which is seated the end of a rubber teat and secured therein by means of a plug that is a press fit in said aperture, and wherein the luminescent or other light source is provided in or on the plug.

3. A child's dummy according to claim 2, wherein the plug is of transparent or translucent materjial and the luminescent or other light source is positioned inside the plug so as to be visible therethrough.