Patent ID: 6892675
Filing Date: 2005-05-17
Classification: A01K

Abstract:
1. A cat toy apparatus, comprising: a base having a hollow interior; a motor-supporting structure having a central axis and a hollow interior extending along the central axis, which motor-supporting structure is connected to the base and so arranged that with the base resting on a horizontal support surface, the motor-supporting structure extends upwardly from the base with the central axis disposed vertically; an electric motor located within the hollow interior of the motor-supporting structure in alignment with the central axis; a object-holding arm connected to the motor, the object-holding arm including an elongated member having a proximal end portion connected to the motor and a distal end portion disposed upwardly and radially outwardly from the motor-supporting structure; a cat-attracting object; a flexible line connecting the cat-attracting object to the distal end portion of the object-holding arm; and means for powering the electric motor in order to rotate the object-holding arm and thereby move the cat-attracting object about the motor-supporting structure; said cat toy further comprising at least four base-stabilizing members on the base that are rotatable by a user from deployed positions, in which the base-stabilizing members extend outwardly from the base, to storage positions in which the base-stabilizing members are retracted from the deployed positions.