Patent Application
20150237829
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed generally to pet toys, and particularly to a pet toy designed to appeal to an animal's instinctive behaviors and facilitate activities based on such instincts.
2. Description of the Related Art
Dogs enjoy retrieving various types of objects such as sticks, balls, flying discs, and the like. Many breeds have an enhanced enjoyment in “playing fetch” in that such activities have been bred into such lines. Retrievers, bird dogs or gun dogs have been bred to retrieve game foul, spaniels to flush birds from the brush, and other such similar activities. Typically, such breads can be entertained by retrieving a flying disc is made from a plastic material. The disc has an outer side with a generally smooth surface and an underside that has a rim extending along the periphery of the disc. The rim is raised from the rest of the disc so that the dog may easily grip the rim between its jaws.
A problem may occur, however, when the dog seeks to retrieve the disc in that the disc may not always be easily gripped by the dog. That is, if the disc lands with the underside facing upwardly, the rim is exposed which the dog may grip with its teeth. If the disc lands with the underside facing downwardly, the dog may have some difficulty in grasping the smooth side of the disc with its teeth.
Therefore, the dog may not be able to retrieve the disc, thereby decreasing the enjoyment of the game by both the person throwing the disc as well as the dog.
Another problem may occur in that even though such breeds have the instinct to retrieve, a plastic disc shaped object just simply will not stimulate this instinct. It has been found that interactive toys are more successfully interactive if they have been designed with a fundamental understanding of the animal's biological behavior, instincts, unique senses and physical capabilities and needs. In order to accomplish this, the interactive toy must stimulate and reward positive mental and physical activity through real sounds, sights, tactile feel, aroma, movement, and the like.
Therefore, a need exists for a durable dog fetch and retrieve toy that is capable of providing the stimulus that triggers the animal's instinctive retrieving behaviors.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a fetch and retrieve pet toy designed to appeal to an animal's instinctive behaviors and facilitate activities based on such instincts.
It is a feature of the present invention to provide an elongated fetch toy having flappable appendages connected to either side.
Briefly described according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a fetch and retrieve pet toy is provided having a linearly elongated cylindrical body formed of rotational molded plastic, or alternately formed of closed cell foam. The cylinder has an outer body surface that may form a texture, both to aid in gripping or as stimulation of a pet mouth and gums when chewed. The generally cylindrical body is elongated about a linear centerline, and may further form an internal conduit, chamber or cavity. Such a hollow construction may provide overall buoyancy, as well as provide a resilience to the body or reduce the overall amount of material required as compared to a solid body; however, such advantages may be also achieved without a hollow construction through design selection of configuration, shape and material selection and, as such, the formation of a hollow body should not be seen as limiting to the present invention. At either opposed end are connected a replaceable appendage having in a plurality of individual fingered flexible cloth protuberances. Each of these ‘flappable’ appendages are connected to either opposed end of the body by any number of attachment or integration methods or mechanism. In one preferred embodiment, a threaded or serrated plug is received within a cavity orifice at each end to provide an attachment anchor for the appendages. Such a construction allows for easy of installation, through a snapping or threading of the plug, which provides an easy of construction that further allows for variability of design aesthetic, but also allows for replacement of the ‘flappable’ appendages should they become worn or damages. Finally, the incorporation of a sound mechanism, such as through the use of a reed type “squeaker” or electronically generated, motion activate sound module. Such a sound mechanism may be incorporated within an internal cavity or within the construction of an end plug.
According to the preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a pet toy capable of easily being tossed by the owner, easily caught or captured by the pet, and provides a visual stimuli similar to that of an injured or downed winged prey. Additionally, the incorporation of a sound mechanism can provide a simultaneous audible stimuli, either as tossed, as grasped or both. Such stimulation triggers the naturally bred fetching instincts of some dog breeds.
The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which;
The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within the Figures.
Referring now to
The use of rotational molded plastic for the body 12 forms a hollow double wall that can provide flexibility. Being hollow, sufficient buoyancy is achieved to act as a flotation device in water. Alternately, the body 12 could be formed of closed cell foam to provide similar performance and cost, but without the capacity to incorporate a squeaker. The body 12 has an outer cylindrical surface 18, and forms an internal cavity 20 along the elongated centerline. The outer surface 18 may form a texture 22, both to aid in gripping or as stimulation of a pet mouth and gums when chewed. The generally cylindrical body 12 is elongated about a linear centerline “”, and may further form an internal conduit, chamber or cavity. Such a hollow construction may provide overall buoyancy, as well as provide a resilience to the body or reduce the overall amount of material required as compared to a solid body; however, such advantages may be also achieved without a hollow construction through design selection of configuration, shape and material selection and, as such, the formation of a hollow body should not be seen as limiting to the present invention.
At either opposed end are connected a replaceable wing-like appendage 30 having in a plurality of individual fingered flexible cloth protuberances 32. As shown best in conjunction with
As shown in conjunction with
As shown in conjunction with
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be limited only by the following claims.
The present application is a Continuation in Part of U.S. Ser. No. 13/756,171, filed on Jan. 31, 2013 and incorporated by reference as if fully rewritten herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 13756171 | Jan 2013 | US |
| Child | 14664815 | US |
