Carrier for Hamster Ball

Abstract

The current disclosure is directed to a carrier for an exercise ball for rodents and other small animals that are kept as pets. This plastic carrier allows the carrying and setting up of stationary, 360 degree, or omnidirectional spin of the exercise ball within a compact ring form factor. The carrier is intended for recreational use in the home, in backyards, or in pet friendly parks.

Description

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

The current disclosure is directed to a carrier for exercise balls for rodents and other small animals that are kept as pets. When comes to cages and transport systems for hamsters and other small rodents, there are several options available that miniaturize the larger in-home pet environments and are designed to be more manageable on the go. Applicant believes that improvements can be made in terms of at least one of the types of novelty methods produced and the efficiencies gained for a carrier for a hamster ball. It is to at least one of these, or additional problems that the current disclosure is directed.

SUMMARY

By way of summary, the current disclosure is directed to a carrier for an exercise ball for rodents and other small animals that are kept as pets. This plastic carrier allows the carrying and setting up of stationary, 360 degree, or omnidirectional spin of the exercise ball within a compact ring form factor. The carrier is intended for recreational use in the home, in backyards, or in pet friendly parks. I one embodiment, the hamster ball attaches to the orbital ring through retractable inserts that allows the ball to rotate in only one direction. In yet another embodiment, the inner side of the ring is lined with ball bearings which allow the pet to spin freely at all times. When placed on the ground with the accompanying exercise ball affixed, the pet can experience 180 degrees of rotation along the circumference of the ring. Detachable legs allow for vertical, stationary set up of the carrier. When placed on ground with the exercise ball attached and the accompanying leg attachments, the pet can experience omnidirectional spin. Hinges allows for easy insertion and removal of the exercise ball from the carrier.

In yet another embodiment, the carrier body consists of two parts that snap together to securely hold the exercise ball. It is novel in respect that no similar product exists on the market. The carrier shape is unique and iconic, similar to a “Saturn ring” with a handle cut-out. The shape is a very compact while allowing for the secure transportation of a sphere. A pet can run around freely in the accompanying exercise ball while being carried because the carrier uses ball bearings along inner side of the rings that allow ball to spin freely while in the carrier. The carrier can be propped up using detachable leg accessories, allowing pet to run freely while carrier is stationary. The detachable legs are stored inside ring when not in use. When carrier is placed on ground without leg attachments, rodent can spin 360 degrees along outer circumference of the ring.

Applicant believes that improvements have been made in terms of at least one of the types of novelty methods produced and the efficiencies gained for a hamster exercise ball carrier. It is to at least one of these, or additional problems that the current disclosure is directed.

Other examples will be set forth in more detail in the figures and detailed description below. The current disclosure is also directed to methods of adaptation and use. It will be apparent; however, that the detailed description is not intended to limit the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying drawings form part of this specification and the invention will be better understood by a reading of the Detailed Description of the Examples of the Invention along with a review of said drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates the compact ‘Saturn-Ring’ form carrier.

FIG. 2 illustrates the ‘Saturn-Ring’ form carrier with an accompanying exercise ball.

FIG. 3 illustrates the retractable pivot pin that secures the hamster exercise ball to the carrier

FIG. 4 illustrates the fixed pivot pin

FIG. 5 illustrates the front and edge views of the compact ‘Saturn-Ring’ form carrier with an accompanying exercise ball attached.

FIG. 6 illustrates the form carrier assembled with the detachable leg accessories, allowing mobility of the pet while the form carrier is stationary.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXAMPLES OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates the Hamster Ball Carrier 101 designed to provide rodents a vehicle for safe exercise, as well as safe and convenient travel. The Carrier consists of two housings 102 making up the ring. The Carrier also consists of a Handle feature 108 and storage for a pair of detachable legs 107. The inner circumference of the ring is designed to accommodate hamster exercise ball sizes of about 5 inches to about 13 inches in diameter. The carrier may be made from any number of polymer plastics.

FIG. 2 illustrates the carrier and an accompanying hamster exercise ball 110. The carrier is designed to accept a hamster exercise ball 110 which can then rotate 360 degrees on a single axis consisting of two Pivot Pins, one retracting pivot pin 104 and one fixed pivot Pin 105. The exercise ball is attached to the carrier by aligning the hole 106 one point along the equator of the exercise ball to the fixed Pivot Pin 105 of the carrier, while sliding the slide latch 103 and retracting the retractable pivot pin 105.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate the retractable pin mechanism 112 and the fixed pivot pin 105. The retractable pivot pin 104 uses a spring mechanism 109 to maintain the retractable pin 112 in the extended position. The slide latch 103 is connected to the retractable pin 112 which allows the user to retract it during installation of the exercise pall 110. I one embodiment, the exercise ball attaches to the orbital ring through retractable inserts that allow the exercise ball to rotate 360 degrees in only one direction. Detachable legs allow for omnidirectional spin of the exercise ball while the carrier stands upright and stationary affixed to the legs on a flat surface. Hinges allow for easy insertion and removal of ball from carrier.

FIG. 5 illustrates the carrier used in the transport configuration 114 with the legs 107 stowed on the housing and the exercise ball 110 affixed in the carrier. In another embodiment, the inner side of the ring is lined with ball bearings which allow omnidirectional spin. When placed on ground rodent can spin 360 degrees along outer circumference of the ring.

FIG. 6 illustrates the carrier used in the stationary exercise configuration 115. In this configuration, the legs 107 are positioned in the leg retaining features 113. This allows the exercise ball to freely spin 360 degrees alone one axis while affixed to the carrier while the carrier remains stationary on a stable surface 116.

Insofar as the description above and the accompanying drawings disclose any additional subject matter that is not within the scope of the claims below, the inventions are not dedicated to the public and the right to file one or more applications to claim such additional inventions is reserved.

Claims

1. A carrier for an exercise hamster ball comprising: a ring, a handle molded between the radius of the inner outer surfaces, a pair of legs that are detachable from the outer surface of the ring, and a molding for attaching the legs between the radius of the inner and outer surfaces positioned away from the handle.

2. The carrier of claim 1, wherein the diameter of the inner surface of the ring is about 5 inches to about 13 inches in diameter.

3. The carrier of claim 1, wherein the exercise ball is affixed to the carrier utilizing a fixed pin and a retractable pin opposite the fixed pin wherein the exercise ball is able to rotate 360 degrees on the axis created by the retractable and the fixed pins.

4. The carrier of claim 1, wherein the carrier contains a plurality of ball bearings affixed to the inner surface of the ring wherein the exercise ball is affixed to the carrier and is able to rotate in an omnidirectional fashion.

5. A carrier for an exercise hamster ball comprising: a ring, a handle molded between the radius of the inner outer surfaces; two legs that are detachable from the outer surface of the ring; and a molding for attaching the legs between the radius of the inner and outer surfaces positioned away from the handle; having a diameter of the inner surface of the ring of about 5 inches to about 13 inches,wherein the exercise ball is affixed to the carrier utilizing a fixed pin and a retractable pin opposite the fixed pin wherein the exercise ball is able to rotate 360 degrees on the axis created by the retractable and the fixed pins,wherein the carrier contains a plurality of ball bearings affixed to the inner surface of the ring wherein the exercise ball is affixed to the carrier and is able to rotate in an omnidirectional fashion.