ERRATIC BOUNCE AND ROLL TOY

• US 20150020748A1
• Filed: 06/23/2014
• Published: 01/22/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lawrence I. Wechsler
• Original Assignee: Lawrence I. Wechsler
• Inventors: Wechsler, Lawrence I.
• Application Number:
  US14/311,360
• Publication Number:
  US 20150020748A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 119/711
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 15/025 Toys specially adapted for animals

Abstract

A pet toy includes a structural configuration in which a center of gravity is displaced from a geometric center of the toy so as to provide erratic kinetic movement.

Claims

1. A toy, comprising:

a body comprising the toy including a center of gravity which is dimensionally offset from a geometric center of the body.

2. A toy according to claim 1, wherein said body comprises:

opposed poles through which a longitudinal axis passes centrally; and

at least three ribs extending between the poles, outward facing surfaces of said at least three ribs and said poles at least partially defining an outer envelope of said body.

3. A toy according to claim 2, wherein said body further comprises an eccentrically weighted structural portion which is positioned closer to a first one of said opposed poles that to a second one of said opposed poles.

4. A toy according to claim 3, wherein said eccentrically weighted structural portion is attached to a remainder of said body by at least one connecting spoke.

5. A toy according to claim 2, wherein the longitudinal axis is laterally offset from a geometric axis codirectional therewith which passes through the geometric center.

6. A toy according to claim 1, wherein said body includes a general shape which is non-spherical.

7. A toy according to claim 1, wherein said body is comprised of natural rubber.

8. A toy according to claim 1, wherein said body is infused with catnip essential oil.

9. A toy according to claim 8 wherein said body is comprised of natural rubber.

10. A method of playing with a pet, comprising:

providing a body comprising a toy including a center of gravity which is dimensionally offset from a geometric center of the body; and

bouncing or rolling the toy in the presence of the pet.

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein said body comprises:

opposed poles through which a longitudinal axis passes centrally; and

at least three ribs extending between the poles, outward facing surfaces of said at least three ribs and said poles at least partially defining an outer envelope of said body.

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein said body further comprises an eccentrically weighted structural portion which is positioned closer to a first one of said opposed poles that to a second one of said opposed poles.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein said eccentrically weighted structural portion is attached to a remainder of said body by at least one connecting spoke.

14. A method according to claim 11, wherein the longitudinal axis is laterally offset from a geometric axis codirectional therewith which passes through the geometric center.

15. A method according to claim 10, wherein said body includes a general shape which is non-spherical.

16. A method according to claim 10, wherein said body is comprised of natural rubber.

17. A method according to claim 16, wherein:

said pet is a cat; and

said body is infused with catnip essential oil.

18. A method of providing entertainment to a cat, comprising:

providing a cat toy comprising rubber which has been infused with catnip essential oil; and

making the cat toy accessible to the cat.

19. A method according to claim 18, wherein said step of making the cat toy available includes one of rolling or bouncing the toy in the presence of the cat.

20. A method according to claim 18, wherein said cat toy comprises a body which includes:

opposed poles through which a longitudinal axis passes centrally; and

at least three ribs extending between the poles, outward facing surfaces of said at least three ribs and said poles at least partially defining an outer envelope of said body.