Laser pet toy

• US 6,557,495 B2
• Filed: 07/05/2001
• Issued: 05/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eileen Lisa Lorenz
• Original Assignee: Eileen Lisa Lorenz
• Inventors: Lorenz, Eileen Lisa
• Primary Examiner(s): Jordan, Charles T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Alimenti, Susan C.
• Application Number:
  US09/898,814
• Publication Number:
  US 20020002955A1
• Time in Patent Office: 670 Days
• Field of Search: 119/707, 119/708, 119/702, 362/259
• 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 mirror. In turn, the mirror 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 pivoting mirrors which is driven by a motor and a plurality of arm members.

Claims

1. A pet toy comprising of:

a rectangular housing including a horizontal planar top and a horizontal planar bottom which allows said bottom to be resting directly on a flat surface, therebetween consisting of a rear wall, a pair of side walls, and a front wall with a transparent window inset in said front wall, thereby defining an enclosed interior;

a laser source mounted within said housing and parallel to said window;

a first motor;

a second motor;

a first mirror mounted within said housing with reflective surface facing laser emitting end of said laser source;

a second mirror mounted within said housing with reflective surface facing reflective surface of said first mirror;

a means for providing movement from said first motor to said first mirror;

said first mirror rigidly mounted to a bracket with said bracket rigidly attached to a shaft;

said shaft substantially vertical with first end pivotably connected to a support;

a first arm rigidly mounted and positioned perpendicular to said shaft;

said first arm pivotably connected and positioned parallel to a second arm;

said second arm is rotatably connected to said first motor;

a means for providing movement from said second motor to said second mirror; and

a control means coupled to said first motor, said second motor, said laser source and a current source.

2. A pet toy as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means to provide movement from said second motor to said second mirror, comprising:

said second mirror rigidly mounted to a rod;

a third arm rigidly mounted and positioned perpendicular to said rod;

said third arm pivotably connected and positioned perpendicular to a fourth arm;

said fourth arm is rotatably connected to said second motor.

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

a speed control means for regulating the speed of said first motor and said second motor.

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

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

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

a hook shaped attachment member that is attached to exterior of said back wall.

6. A pet toy comprising of:

a rectangular housing including a horizontal planar top, and a horizontal planar bottom which allows said bottom to be resting directly on a flat surface, therebetween consisting of a rear wall, a pair of side walls, and a front wall with a transparent window inset in said front wall, thereby defining an enclosed interior;

a laser source mounted within said housing and parallel to said window;

a motor;

a first mirror mounted within said housing with reflective surface facing laser emitting end of said laser source;

a second mirror mounted within said housing with reflective surface facing reflective surface of said first mirror;

a means for providing movement from said motor to said first mirror;

a rod pivotably connected to a bracket;

said first mirror rigidly mounted to said rod;

a first arm rigidly mounted and positioned perpendicular to said rod;

said first arm pivotably connected and positioned perpendicular to a second arm;

said second arm is rotatably connected to said motor;

a means for providing movement from said motor to said second mirror; and

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

7. A pet toy as set forth in claim 6 wherein said means for providing movement from said motor to said second mirror, comprising:

said second mirror rigidly mounted to a bracket with said bracket rigidly attached to a shaft;

said shaft substantially vertical with first end pivotably connected to a support;

a third arm rigidly mounted and positioned perpendicular to said shaft;

said third arm pivotably connected and positioned parallel to a fourth arm;

said fourth arm is rotatably connected to and positioned perpendicular to an elongated fifth arm;

said fifth arm is pivotably connected to end of said second arm wherein said second arm is already connected to said motor coupling the same rotating element.

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

a speed control means for regulating the speed of said motor.

9. A pet toy as set forth in claim 8 and further comprising;

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

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

a hook shaped attachment member that is attached to exterior of said back wall.

11. A pet toy comprising of:

a rectangular housing including a horizontal planar top and a horizontal planar bottom which allows said bottom to be resting directly on a flat surface, therebetween consisting of a rear wall, a pair of side walls, and a front wall with a transparent window inset in said front wall, thereby defining an enclosed interior;

a laser source vertically mounted within said housing;

a first motor;

a second motor;

a mirror mounted within said housing with reflective surface facing laser emitting end of said laser source;

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

said laser source rigidly mounted to a bracket with said bracket rigidly attached to a shaft;

said shaft substantially vertical with first end pivotably connected to a support;

a first arm rigidly mounted and positioned perpendicular to said shaft;

said first arm pivotably connected and positioned parallel to a second arm;

said second arm is rotatably connected to said first motor;

a means for providing movement from said second motor to said mirror;

a control means coupled to said first motor, said second motor, said laser source and a current source.

12. A pet toy as set forth in claim 11 wherein said means for providing movement from said second motor to said mirror, comprising:

said mirror rigidly mounted to a rod;

a third arm rigidly mounted and positioned perpendicular to said rod;

said third arm pivotably connected and positioned perpendicular to a fourth arm;

said fourth arm is rotatably connected to said second motor.

13. A pet toy as set forth in claim 11 and further comprising:

a speed control means for regulating the speed of said first motor and said second motor.

14. A pet toy as set forth in claim 13 and further comprising:

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

15. A pet toy as set forth in claim 11 and further comprising:

a hook shaped attachment member that is attached to exterior of said back wall.

16. A pet toy comprising of:

a rectangular housing including a horizontal planar top and a horizontal planar bottom which allows said bottom to be resting directly on a flat surface, therebetween consisting of a rear wall, a pair of side walls, and a front wall with a transparent window inset in said front wall, thereby defining an enclosed interior;

a laser source mounted perpendicular to said window;

a motor attached to said back wall of housing;

a means for providing movement from said motor to said laser source;

said laser source rigidly mounted to a bracket with said bracket rigidly attached to a mast;

said mast substantially vertical with first end pivotably connected to a support;

a first arm rigidly mounted and positioned perpendicular to said mast;

said first arm pivotably connected and positioned parallel to a second arm;

said second arm is rotatably connected to said motor.

17. A pet toy as set forth in claim 16 and further comprising:

a speed control means for regulating the speed of said motor.

18. A pet toy as set forth in claim 17 and further comprising:

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

19. A pet toy as set forth in claim 16 and further comprising:

a hook shaped attachment member that is attached to exterior of said back wall.