Patent Application
20140216358
The invention relates to a novel pet toy in which a ball slides across a surface via cutouts in the base of the toy and uses friction to assist with the sliding motion. Four arms of the toy provide one or more exit apertures for a pet to determine how to, and then retrieve the ball.
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 pet toy wherein a ball is inserted into the toy and the pet must determine how to slide the toy in such a ways as to access the ball inserted.
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 imperative to challenge a dog with activities such as the inventive toy presents.
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 reward 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 is a base piece, a mirror affixed top piece, and four arms or branches which emanate out from the center of the toy. The base contains a cutout channel in each of the arms wherein the ball contacts the surface of a floor and this assists in sliding by using friction naturally associated with the ball rolling along the surface of the floor. This toy is especially applicable to carpeted floors where most toys will not slide across such a surface.
The cutout channels will allow the ball to slide to and fro within the toy as the pet pushes the toy across a surface. The top piece of the toy is transparent so as to allow the pet to see the ball moving within, and entice them to attempt to retrieve the ball. One or more of the arms contains an end cap which will either cover or expose the opening end of the arm so that the inserted ball may be inserted or removed.
When the pet slides the toy across a surface, the inserted ball will naturally roll within the cutout channels. This motion will also use friction to aid in the entire toy sliding across a surface such as a carpeted floor. A specific amount of force must be used to cause the ball to jump the edge of the channel and exit through one of the arm end apertures. The pet must learn how to maneuver the ball into one of the toy arms and apply the proper force to get the ball to exit an unobstructed arm opening.
The friction reacting toy works efficiently on a carpeted surface, but will also work on a hard surface such as a wood or linoleum floor without damaging said surface.
The invention is described in further detail by reference to three drawings sufficient in detail to describe the invention in which:
