Method and apparatus for reducing risk that a thrown toy will injure an animal

• US 20050284409A1
• Filed: 03/30/2005
• Published: 12/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sharon A. Ritchey Revocable Living Trust
• Original Assignee: Jon K. Curry, Sharon A. Ritchey
• Inventors: Curry, Jon K., Ritchey, Sharon A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,343,878 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 119/707
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 15/026 Chewable toys, e.g. for dental care of pets

Abstract

A method and apparatus for reducing the risk that a thrown toy will injure an animal. The apparatus consists of a toy which when thrown bounces erratically, which compressively elastically deforms, which includes a soft fabric outer surface that compresses to absorb blows, and which can withstand being bitten or chewed by a dog.

Claims

1. An animal toy, including

(a) a compressibly elastically deformable hollow thin-walled elastomer core circumscribing and enclosing a selected gaseous volume and including a center, an outer surface, and a wall;

(b) a fabric cover affixed to said outer surface of said core and having a selected thickness;

(c) at least one elongate strip of material extending over said outer surface as a line of demarcation to separate the fabric cover into at least two areas, one on either side of the strip of material;

(d) at least one aperture formed through said core; and

,

(e) a temperature resistant hollow sound device mounted in said core for producing a sound audible to a dog when air travels through said sound device at a selected rate of flow.

2. A method for producing an animal toy, including the steps of

(a) forming the core of the toy with an aperture;

(b) inserting a temperature resistant squeaker in said aperture;

(c) applying adhesive and a fabric cover to said core;

(d) heating said core, adhesive, and fabric to an elevated temperature.

3. A method for producing an animal toy, including the steps of

(a) forming the core of the toy including

(i) an aperture, and

(ii) a thin puncturable sheet of material covering said aperture;

(b) applying a fabric cover to said core;

(c) inserting in said aperture a hollow sound device to puncture said sheet and to produce a sound audible to a dog when air travels through said sound device at a selected rate of flow.