Laser pet toy

• US 20020002955A1
• Filed: 07/05/2001
• Published: 01/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eileen Lisa Lorenz
• Original Assignee: Eileen Lisa Lorenz
• Inventors: Lorenz, Eileen Lisa
• Granted Patent: US 6,557,495 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 119/707
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 15/025 Toys specially adapted for animals

Abstract

An improved laser pet toy that entertains pets, especially cats. The pet toy comprises a housing containing a laser source which projects a laser beam into a reflective surface. In turn, the reflective surface forecasts the beam through a transparent window set in the housing and projects the beam onto an opaque surface. The random movement of the beam is provided by the motion of the reflective surface which is driven by a drive member and a plurality of arm members.

Claims

1. A pet toy comprising of:

a housing;

a laser source mounted within said housing;

at least a drive member;

at least a reflective surface mounted within said housing;

a first means for providing movement from said drive member to said reflective surface;

a control means coupled to said drive member, said laser source and a current source.

2. A pet toy as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

a transparent window inset in front wall of said housing.

3. A pet toy as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising:

a plurality of drive members.

4. A pet toy as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising:

a plurality of reflective surfaces.

5. A pet toy as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising:

a plurality of first means for providing movement from said drive member to said reflective surface.

6. A pet toy as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising:

a second means for providing movement from said drive member to said laser source.

7. A pet toy as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising:

a speed control means for regulating the speed of said drive member.

8. A pet toy as set forth in claim 7 and further comprising:

a manual switch attached to said housing for adjusting said speed control means.

9. A pet toy as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

said first means for providing movement from said drive member to said reflective surface comprising a first arm member connected to a second arm member with end of second arm connected to a pivotable member which is attached to said reflective surface with said drive member positioned on said first arm thus providing movement to said second arm and pivotable member with respect to first arm.

10. A pet toy as set forth in claim 6 wherein:

said second means for providing movement from said drive member to said laser comprising a first arm member connected to a second arm member with end of second arm connected to a pivotable member which is attached to said laser with said drive member positioned on said first arm thus providing movement to said second arm and pivotable member with respect to first arm.

11. A pet toy as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

a hook shaped attachment member that is attached to said housing.

12. A pet toy comprising of:

a housing;

a laser source mounted within housing;

a drive member;

a first means for providing movement from said drive member to said laser source;

a control means for providing energy to said drive member, said laser source and a current source.

13. A pet toy as set forth in claim 12 wherein:

a transparent window inset in front wall of said housing.

14. A pet toy as set forth in claim 12 and further comprising:

a speed control means for regulating the speed of said drive member.

15. A pet toy as set forth in claim 14 and further comprising:

a manual switch attached to said housing for adjusting said speed control means.

16. A pet toy as set forth in claim 12 wherein:

said first means for providing movement from said drive member to said laser comprising a first arm member connected to a second arm member with end of second arm connected to a pivotable member which is attached to said laser with said drive member positioned on said first arm thus providing movement to said second arm and pivotable member with respect to first arm.

17. A pet toy as set forth in claim 12 wherein:

a hook shaped attachment member that is attached to said housing.

18. A pet toy comprising of:

a housing comprising of an opening on front wall;

a laser source comprising of a laser emitting end and power receiving end with power receiving end mounted within said housing and laser emitting end protruding from said opening;

a drive member;

a first means for providing movement from said drive member to said laser source;

a control means for providing energy to said drive member, said laser source and a current source.

19. A pet toy as set forth in claim 18 and further comprising:

a speed control means for regulating the speed of said drive member.

20. A pet toy as set forth in claim 18 and further comprising:

a manual switch attached to said housing for adjusting said speed control means.

21. A pet toy as set forth in claim 18 wherein:

said first means for providing movement from said drive member to said laser comprising a first arm member connected to a second arm member with end of second arm connected to a pivotable member which is attached to said laser with said drive member positioned on said first arm thus providing movement to said second arm and pivotable member with respect to first arm.

22. A pet toy as set forth in claim 18 and further comprising:

a hook shaped attachment member that is attached to said housing.

23. A method of exercising a pet comprising of:

mounting a laser source to a base;

mounting a reflective surface to a base;

positioning said laser source such that a laser beam from said laser projects into said reflective surface;

positioning said reflective surface such that reflection from said reflective surface produces said beam at the intersection of said beam and an opaque surface;

redirecting said beam out of pet'"'"'s immediate reach to induce said pet to chase said beam by repositioning said reflective surface by providing a drive member and a means for providing movement from said drive member to said reflective surface.

24. The method of step 23 wherein:

said means for providing movement from said drive member to said reflective surface comprising a first arm member connected to a second arm member with end of second arm connected to a pivotable member which is attached to said reflective surface with said drive member positioned on said first arm thus providing movement to said second arm and pivotable member with respect to first arm.

25. The method of step 23 wherein:

said laser beam remains invisible between said laser source and said opaque surface until impacting on said opaque surface.

26. A method of exercising a pet comprising of:

mounting a laser source to a base;

positioning said laser source such that a laser beam from said laser projects a laser beam onto an opaque surface;

redirecting said beam out of pet'"'"'s immediate reach to induce said pet to chase said beam by repositioning said laser by providing a drive member and a means for providing movement from said drive member to said laser.

27. The method of step 26 wherein:

said means for providing movement from said drive member to said laser comprising a first arm member connected to a second arm member with end of second arm connected to a pivotable member which is attached to said laser with said drive member positioned on said first arm thus providing movement to said second arm and pivotable member with respect to first arm.

28. The method of step 26 wherein:

said beam remains invisible between said laser and said opaque surface until impacting on said opaque surface.