Patent Application
20140251231
The invention relates to a novel pet toy in which treats are located in receptacles wherein retrieval may be prevented or allowed when the animal is required to remove “blocks” in order to rotate the top portion of the toy to reveal the treat receptacles.
The invention most closely corresponds with USPTO Class 119/702 wherein Class 119 relates to animal husbandry and sub-class 702 includes exercise or amusement devices for animals.
In its simplest form, the invention comprises a novel puzzle wherein treats are inserted into receptacles and a pet must learn to remove all of the blocks which impede rotation in order to reveal the treats.
It is well known in the animal behavior sciences that is a dog doesn't get the mental stimulation it needs it will develop Behavior problems such as chewing, biting or elimination in the home due to boredom, stress or depression. Veterinary science has also determined that in addition to behavioral problems, a dog will also be more prone to diseases as the immune system can weaken due to stress or depression. Thus it is key to challenge a dog with activities such as the inventive puzzle.
All who studied any form of psychology in school remember Pavlov's Dogs. A simple conditioning test resulted in dogs remembering or being cognitive of being given a treat when a bell was rung. Thus the dogs would respond in various cognitive ways when a bell was rung. This behavior presented itself for months after the actual tests were ceased. Pavlov evidenced that dogs actually had memory and the ability to react to certain stimuli on a consistent basis.
In the inventive toy, there are four “blocks” inserted in a circular base containing receptacles for treats. There are also four scent holes to heighten the interest of the dog when treats are present. Affixed on a singular axis to the base is a rotating top piece, also circular, which exposes cut-outs for the blocks to be inserted. The blocks simply rest in the cut-outs via normal gravity.
Located in the center, and affixing the top piece to the base piece is a single point axis which controls the rotating action of the top piece. The toy may be made more or less difficult to solve with the aid of a tightening knob located underneath the toy wherein adjustment may make the top piece casing more difficult to turn. This functions to enable smaller or larger dogs to use the toy depending upon their size and obvious strength variations.
A pet owner may insert treats in any number of the four treat receptacles. The blocks must all be removed in order for the top piece to rotate and thus allow access to the treats in the receptacles. This requires keen cognitive and reasoning skills on the dog's part as removing only one block will not allow rotation and ultimately access to the treats. Further, the top piece must be rotated sufficiently to expose the treat receptacles which are located next to the block depressions, and not within them.
The inventive puzzle toy can keep a dog engaged for quite some time as it processes the methods required to expose all of the treats. One might think that a wise dog would simply flip the entire toy over, but animal behaviorists have found dogs to be a bit more complex.
The invention is described in further detail by reference to three drawings sufficient in detail to describe the invention in which:
