Pet training device

• US 7,028,640 B1
• Filed: 06/27/2005
• Issued: 04/18/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: James C. Cummings
• Original Assignee: James C. Cummings
• Inventors: Cummings, James C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Swiatek, Robert P.
• Application Number:
  US11/167,486
• Time in Patent Office: 295 Days
• Field of Search: 119/51.01, 119/51.03, 119/174, 119/215, 119/712, 604/60, 604/61, 604/62, 604/63, 221/268, 221/270, 401/63, 401/82, 401/150, 401/181, 401/182
• US Class Current: 119/712
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 15/02 Training or exercising equipment, e.g. mazes or labyrinths for animals A01K15/04 takes precedence; Electric shock devices circuits therefor H03K3/537; Toys specially adapted for animals

Abstract

A device for pet training comprising a rigid tube formed with at least one elbow, and having a cavity in at least the distal end thereof for insertion of edible rewards therein; a handle, attached at the proximal end of the rigid tube, a flexible plunger rod disposed within the rigid tube, comprising a proximal end extending through the handle, and a distal end extending proximate to the cavity in the distal end of the rigid tube; a thumb ring joined to the proximal end of the flexible plunger rod; and a plunger disposed within the cavity and joined to the distal end of the flexible plunger rod, wherein a user of the device may hold the rigid tube by the handle, move the thumb ring, and cause an edible reward to be dispensed from the cavity on the distal end of the rigid tube.

Claims

1. A pet training device comprising:

a) a rigid tube formed with a proximal end, at least one elbow, and a distal end;

b) a handle, attached at said proximal end of said rigid tube;

c) a flexible plunger rod disposed within said rigid tube, comprising a proximal end extending through said handle, and a distal end extending proximate to said distal end of said rigid tube;

d) a thumb ring joined to said proximal end of said flexible plunger rod;

e) a plunger joined to said distal-end of said flexible plunger rod; and

f) a dispensing assembly comprising a tee having an inner branch joined to said distal end of said rigid tube;

a center port including a storage tube joined thereto for storage of edible rewards;

an outer branch; and

a breech disposed between said inner branch, said center port, and said outer branch, wherein said plunger is disposed in at least a portion of said inner branch of said tee and said plunger is displaceable through said breech of said tee.

2. The pet training device as recited in claim 1, further comprising a plate-like bite shield joined to said outer branch of said tee, said bite shield having a diameter sufficient to prevent a pet from engaging said bite shield between its teeth.

3. The pet training device as recited in claim 1, wherein the device is comprised of at least about 90 weight percent of plastic.

4. The pet training device as recited in claim 1, further comprising at least one solid edible reward disposed in said breech of said tee of said dispensing assembly.

5. A pet training device comprising:

a) a rigid tube formed with a proximal end, at least one elbow, and a distal end;

b) a handle, attached at said proximal end of said rigid tube;

c) a flexible plunger rod disposed within said rigid tube, comprising a proximal end extending through said handle, and a distal end extending proximate to said distal end of said rigid tube;

d) a thumb ring joined to said proximal end of said flexible plunger rod;

e) a plunger joined to said distal-end of said flexible plunger rod;

f) a dispensing assembly comprising a tee having an inner branch joined to said distal end of said rigid tube;

a center port including a storage tube joined thereto for storage of edible rewards;

an outer branch; and

a breech disposed between said inner branch, said center port, and said outer branch, wherein said plunger is disposed in at least a portion of said inner branch of said tee and said plunger is displaceable through said breech of said tee; and

g) a plate-like bite shield joined to said outer branch of said tee, said bite shield having a diameter sufficient to prevent a pet from engaging said bite shield between its teeth.

6. The pet training device as recited in claim 5, wherein the device is comprised of at least about 90 weight percent of plastic.

7. The pet training device as recited in claim 5, further comprising at least one solid edible reward disposed in said breech of said tee of said dispensing assembly.